Herbal Studies

To say that I am a huge beginner in the study of herbal remedies and medicinal uses is, though true, still an understatement. I am working to change that as quickly as I can, in that I’ve signed up for a 6 week course in Herbal Fundamentals with a local holistic healing organization here, but I’ve got probably three days of knowledge as of right now haha!

After looking through The Hedge Witch’s Herbal Grimoire that I received yesterday, I was fascinated by herb knowledge and lore all over again. I don’t know why I feel so surprised, but I really am surprised that I’m falling so in love with the idea of working with nature to help and heal. 

I feel like someone has been screaming something at me for ages and ages, but I’ve only just now taken out my headphones to listen to them. That’s the best way I can describe the experience I’m having with this new learning path. 

Needless to say, my own Grimoire is currently being filled with whatever I can find regarding the properties of herbs and how they are used in both healing and magick. I don’t have the means to do it right now because I live with other people, but as soon as I have my own space (hopefully with a little balcony or patio) I am going to start my own collection of herbs. 

In the meantime, I’ve ordered two more books. Based on very little research I think these two will be good starts in learning more about this path. Of course, if you’re reading this and have any other suggestions I am all ears!

I picked the book above: The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody because there were tons of reviews from beginners in the art of herbal remedies who said it was very helpful and easy to read. A few said there was some confusion about tinctures and essential oils, but I don’t think I am anywhere near starting in on something like that just yet. According to reviews and the pictures I could find, it looks like it breaks down which parts of each plant are used, and what they are used for, and possibly includes instructions on how to make remedies with them. I’ll share more when I can actually look at it.

For the same reason (good reviews) I picked this book: Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham in the hopes that it will help me understand the magickal, rather than medicinal, properties of the plants I’m going to be learning about. Of course, the name of Scott Cunningham is familiar in magickal circles so I didn’t have too much hestitation in picking this one out! 

I have my first lesson in Herbal Fundamentals tomorrow at 7pm to 9:30pm! If I have time and don’t feel exhausted afterward I will try to post an update about what I learn!

Again! If there are any suggestions from the Tumblr community on anything else you think I should read or look up, please let me know! Thanks so much!

Kate West’s ‘The Real Witches Kitchen’ and 'The Real Witches Garden’, and Lexa Rosean’s 'Encyclopedia of Magickal Ingredients’ are fantastic resources when it comes to magical (and some medicinal) properties of various botanicals.