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Witches
Sept 29, 2011 12:23:29 GMT -5
Post by Kuro on Sept 29, 2011 12:23:29 GMT -5
[orange]Witches[/orange] Wise Woman, Hag, Charmer, Crone, Enchantress, Sorceress
Please note that this uses the traditional woman denomination for Witch. Male Witches do exist and are known as Warlocks.
Witches are humans with magical abilities, these abilities are usually focused through rituals, spells and potions. Witches are connected to nature via the rituals they practice. The power of a witch is wide and varied but all of their potent abilities take time. That means they don't have any kind of insta-gib against others. In addition, nearly all witches are only capable of mastering one type of power set. They may have some ability in the other schools but there is no epic witch, the most powerful witch in 1899 does not live in London.
In a city of over 6 million, witches are more common then you would assume. As such, there is actually a coven hidden within London. They have several gathering places within the city and usually meet on special occasions (solstices, special holidays, unusual moments of weather, etc). All witches will have their own personal center of power, a place where their magic flows the easiest. Some abilities must be performed in the center of power and the more they exist around it, the stronger their tie to it. A center of power can never be destroyed but it can be corrupted or "stolen" by other witches.
There is also a belief among witches that whatever you cast upon another will return three fold. As such, it's not that often to encounter a truely dark witch. If a witch is turned into a vampire, they lose their connection to nature. Lycanthrope infection will not remove the connection, merely make it unstable so that it is difficult for the Witch to focus her abilities.
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Witches
Sept 29, 2011 12:25:11 GMT -5
Post by Kuro on Sept 29, 2011 12:25:11 GMT -5
[orange]Typical Witch Abilities[/orange] Keep in mind that this is a general list of Witch Abilities and is an ever developing list. If you have an idea which is not covered by this general list, please contact the RC about it.
Spells Spells are the bread and butter of the Witch. Each spell requires components in order to be cast (crow's foot, tigerseye gem, etc). In order to create a spell, the Witch must be using these items in her center of power. If she is casting a spell on someone, she must focus on that person as well. Keep in mind that any spell cast upon a person must be either of neutral intent or beneficial to the target. Spells can vary from healing spells to plant growth spells to just about whatever the Witch can concieve. Keep in mind that anything really out there would take time and practice to develop the right methods of casting it.
Dance Traditionally an Egyptian witch power, this is merely a different way of casting a spell. Using the dance ability, witches are capable of negating the need of for their center of power and most of the components. However, they are highly susceptable to attack during their dancing. In order to complete the spell, the witch must dance the dance to the end. Pausing mid step will interupt the spell casting and will require them to start over from tbe beginning.
Imbuement A witch can actually imbue an object to have special properties. Imbuement can cause the item to contain memories (revealed to the viewer upon touch), a message, a trap (explosive, etc), a prison or even contain a peice of the Witch's soul. It is more up to the imagination of the witch. However, the greater the imbuement, the more danger to the Witch and the greater a price must be paid.
Wards Wards are an unusual power of the witch. No matter how powerful the ward, there is always something strong enough to ignore them. A ward is a combination of spellwork and imbuement. When a ward is created, the type of ward must be called out and the caster must focus on the type. Wards can be as simple as protecting against the cold, warning systems against intruders; or even more advanced to warding against a certain type of preternatural (keep in mind, only an extremely powerful witch can ward against a preternatural and even stronger preterntaurals can simply ignore it). Wards must be cast in groups of at least three so that there are three points, anything between the wards will be protected. Creating a ward is extremely taxing on a witch.
Potions Potions are the other main thing for witches. Like spellwork, it requires the use of various objects (herbs mainly). Potions can have a variety of uses like inflicting lust upon the imbiber, or even making them the epitome of beauty in the eyes of the opposite gender. Many witches have made a living peddling their potions on the streets of London; and even more will have the darker potions in the back alleys. However, an improperly brewed potion can have diastrous effects even killing someone if the combination isn't right.
Curses Casting a curse is not the same as casting a spell. A witch must focus all thier power and will into casting a curse on the intended victim. The Witch must also focus on what she wants the curse to do and speak that to the victim. Each curse must come with some way to break it. It is possible to kill someone with a curse but the effects are often as disastrous for the Witch as for the intended victim no matter how much they are deserving of it. At her/his death, a Witch may cast an unbreakable curse.
Divination Divination is a diverse skill that encomposes the various forms of the skill. For some Witches, it is as simple as having a vision. For others, runes are used. And yet others look in the entrails of a sacrificed animal. It all varies, but the main thing is that this ability allows a witch to perceive future events. The more complex the divination ritual, the more information that is perceived.
Familiars All Witches will have a familiar or the ability to call one. At a young age, they would have noticed that they had an affinity for a certain type of creature. While most witches are associated with Ravens, Cats, Bats and Spiders; any animal can be a familiar to a witch. A Familiar must be a normal animal. Whenever a familiar is near it's witch, the Witche's power is enhanced greatly. The link to a Familiar is permenant and will exist as long as they both live. Because of this, familiars will live unnaturally long lives, living as long as the Witch does. The Witch can communicate with her Familiar but they cannot speak telepathically. However, the witch will feel any torture done to her familiar. This will often place the witch in a homicidal state as it will feel like these wounds are being inflicted upon her. Should the familiar be killed, the shock will severely weaken the witch and prevent her from doing any magic for quite a while (length of time varies on Witch).a
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Witches
Sept 29, 2011 12:26:07 GMT -5
Post by Kuro on Sept 29, 2011 12:26:07 GMT -5
[orange]Commonly used Materials[/orange] This is the list of items most often used in witchcraft and generally what they are used for. This list is by no means complete. Also keep in mind that not all of these plants are native to England; they will all be imported but some will be fairly expensive.
ALDER / (leppa) Medicinal use: burns (bark)
ANGELICA / (Angelica Archangelica) Medicinal use: plague, respiratory diseases Magic & beliefs: It was believed that plant would protect a person who carried it from witchcraft Historical notes: According to legend, Archangel Gabriel revealed the powers of this Nordic plant to the Benedictine monks hence its Latin name Angelica Archangelica. Angelica was the only medicinal plant that was brought from Scandinavia to Central and Southern Europe. During the Middle Ages it was commonly cultivated in monasteries.
ANISE / (anis) Medicinal use: all-heal. (e.g. all poisonous bites and stings)
APPLE TREES Medicinal use: eye diseases, fever, gout, heart diseases, stomach troubles Historical notes: a related species, quince, was very common in medieval monasteries.
ARNICA Medicinal use: bruises, wounds (crushed root & flowers )
BARLEY / (ohra) Medicinal use: burnt barley seeds and eggs were recommended as a remedy for burns. The bag of hot seeds was used used externally to kill pain. BASIL / (basilika) Medicinal use: scorpion bites, stomach troubles. It was also used to drive away flies. Magic & beliefs: Aphrodisiac. In addition, it was believed that basil bred scorpions. According to one recipe " three crushed leaves are put under a clay pot. After a few days a tiny scorpion will be born ". With the help of basil one could also summon scorpions. Pliny claimed that a handful of basil pounded with 10 sea crabs would do the trick.
BLESSED THISTLE / (Gnicus Benedictus) Medicinal use: Together with butterbur, the plant was considered to be the most effective remedy for plague. Historical notes: As the Latin name hints, this thorny bush was very common in medieval monasteries.
BUCKBEAN Medicinal use: appetite and digestive problems, intestinal worms Historical notes: Buckbean was among the most important medicinal plants of Medieval Europe.
BURNET SAXIFRAGE Medicinal use: Chewing the root of this plant was believed to keep off plague. It was also used as a remedy for cough and sore throat.
BUTTERBUR Medicinal use: This huge plant was perhaps the most important medicine against plague. Therefore it is no wonder that it was commonly cultivated in the monastic gardens.
CABBAGE Medicinal use: diarrhoea, eye diseases, kidney problems, stomach ailments Magic & beliefs: It was claimed that cabbage would prevent drunkenness and hangover
CAPER / (kapris) Medicinal use: parasites, paralysis
CARAWAY / (kumina) Medicinal use: scorpion stings, snake bites, fever, respiratory diseases, digestive problems, stomach troubles Magic & beliefs : Caraway was an important ingredient in love potions. It also offered protection from the evil eye. In addition, it prevented mischievous spirits and thieves from entering the house.
CENTAURY Medicinal use: wounds, sprains Misc. history: very common herb in medieval monasteries
CHAMOMILE Medicinal use: fatigue, fever, snake bites. Women used it to ease the pains of labour
CHERRY TREE Medicinal use: cough, eye diseases, fever, stomach problems
CHERVIL Medicinal use: burns, bad dreams, stomach ailments
CHICKWEED Medicinal use: skin diseases
CHICORY Magic & beliefs: according to Pliny "those who have anointed themselves with the juice of chicory, mixed with oil, become more popular and obtain their requests more easily."
CHIVES Medicinal use: cough, respiratory diseases
CLOVES Medicinal use: plague Magic & beliefs: aphrodisiac
COLTSFOOT Medicinal use: Inhaling the smoke of the burning leaves was believed to be an effective remedy for cough and other respiratory diseases. It was also used to cure wounds.
COMMON COMFREY Medicinal use: burns, fractures, wounds, pain killer Historical notes: Arabs introduced this plant to crusaders, who brought it to Europe. It was a fairly important herb in Medieval Europe.
COMMON RUE Medicinal use: all-heal Magic & beliefs: Rather powerful plant. For example, Pliny tells us that person who carries it is never bitten by venomous creatures. His argumentation was based on "fact" that "weasels, when about to fight with serpents, eat rue." Thanks to this story and the awful smell of the plant, it was believed to be an antidote against all kinds of poisons. In addition to this, Ibn Botlan reminds us that rue "will turn off the light of Venus". It was also thought to have a power to repel evil spirits. And finally it protected people from plague and other deadly epidemics. Historical notes: Charlemagne mentioned it and it was quite common in the monasteries (e.g. at Saint Gallen in the 10th century)
CORIANDER Medicinal use: cramps, paralysation, sleeplessness, cough, plague, worms Magic & beliefs: Coriander was believed to improve memory. In addition it was claimed that coriander would cure libidinous patients. Oddly enough, some scholars tell us that it also increased potency.
COWBANE Medicinal use: Cowbane is a very poisonous plant and internal use will quite often lead to a painful death. The symptoms are cramps, hallucinations and eventually paralysis of the respiratory organs. Despite the dangers, this herb was used as a pain killer and also as a remedy for epilepsy and cramps. Magic & beliefs: Among the most important plants of medieval witchcraft Historical notes: Because of its believed ability to check sexual desire the plant was commonly cultivated in the monastic gardens
COWSLIP Medicinal use: paralysation, strokes Magic & beliefs: important magical plant
CRESS Medicinal use: Remedy for cough, eye diseases, parasites, respiratory diseases, restlessness, scorpion stings Magic & beliefs: According to Pliny, the smoke of burning cress keeps away serpents
CUCUMBER Medicinal use: Remedy for fever, infections.
CYPRESS (cypressi) Medicinal use: Remedy for the poison of spiders, scorpion stings, snake bites, wounds,
DAFTODI / (narcissus) Medicinal use: crushed root was used externally to heal burns, sprains and wounds
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE, BELLADONNA (belladonna) Medicinal use : pain killer, nervousness Magic & beliefs : Deadly nightshade, devil's herb, enchanter's nightshade. All these names reflect the bad reputation that this plant has had for centuries. Just for example, an unknown Greek scholar tells us that even a small amount of this notorious plant can cause madness. Another reveals that one dose will cause hallucinations, two downright insanity and three an instant death. So, it is no wonder that such a deadly and hallucinogenic herb was - together with henbane, cowbane, mandrake and monkshood - among the most important plants of Medieval witchcraft. Assassins, though, preferred other herbs because the symptoms of the belladonna poisoning were pretty commonly known. Historical notes In Italy, women used to wash their eyes with a diluted juice of deadly nightshade in order to enhance their beauty (this treatment enlarged the pupils). Hence it's other name, belladonna.
DILL Medicinal use: eye diseases, stomach ailments Magic & beliefs: Dill protected people from witchcraft. In addition, if one placed the seeds of the plant in one's shoe before entering the court room, one would win the case.
DRAGOON Medicinal use: snakebites Magic & beliefs: a twig protected the person who carried it from dragons and prevented snakebites
ELECAMPANE Medicinal use: infections, cough, eye diseases, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, worms Magic & beliefs: According to Pliny, elecampane protects a person from bites of poisonous creatures.
ELM Medicinal use: wounds
FENNEL Medicinal use: For more than 15 hundred years fennel was thought to be the most effective remedy for eye diseases. Perhaps this was based on Pliny's story about snakes, that eat fennel seeds in order to restore their vision. In addition to eye diseases it was also used to cure fever, insanity and stomach ailments. Magic & beliefs: it was thought that fennel hung over door prevented witches from entering the house.
FIG Medicinal use: wounds, burns, sprains
FOX'S CLOTE Medicinal use: skin diseases, wounds, infections Historical notes: A very important herb during Middle Ages and therefore commonly cultivated in the gardens of the monasteries.
FOXGLOVE Medicinal use: From the 11th to 18th century foxglove was mainly used to cure dropsy. Overdoses were often lethal.
GARLIC Medicinal use: all-heal Magic & beliefs: Garlic protected people from various kinds of evil forces. (e.g. plague, witchcraft, vampires, scorpions and snakes). Like many other magical plant it was also an aphrodisiac (if taken with coriander and neat wine). It was also believed to increase courage.
GENTIAN Medicinal use: poisons, wounds
GINGER Medicinal use: flu, poisons, stomach ailments Magic & beliefs: It was claimed that ginger prevented people from getting older. It also offered protection from plague and was an ingredient in love potions.
GRAPES Medicinal use: stomach ailments
GREAT MULLEIN Medicinal use: respiratory diseases, wounds, pain killer Historical notes: Women also used great mullein to dye their hair yellow.
GREATER PLANTAIN Medicinal use: wounds
GROUND IVY Medicinal use: Ground ivy was an extremely important remedy for wounds. It was also used to cure respiratory diseases.
HAZEL NUT Medicinal use: cough, fatigue, infections
HEMLOCK Medicinal use: pain killer Magic & beliefs: A deadly plant, but the symptoms of poisoning are less painful than if cowbane is used. Common ingredient in the potions of the witches and assassins.
HENBANE Medicinal use: pain killer, anaesthetic. For example it was commonly used in amputations and other surgical operations. Magic & beliefs: Henbane's hallucinogenic and deadly properties have been known for hundreds of years. E.g. It is believed that Delphi's oracle, Pythia, received her visions by inhaling the smoke of the burning seeds of henbane. The plant was also very popular among the assassins and witches of Medieval Europe. The latter used it in ointments that they used to rub into their skins. Scholars believe that these ointments caused hallucinations, such as the sensation of flying. Historical notes: Surgeons of the School of Salerno (900-) used the plant as a pain killer. Henbane juice was also used as an arrow poison.
HERB PARIS Magic & beliefs: yet another popular plant of Medieval witchcraft.
HOPS Medicinal use: mildly narcotic, enhances appetite Historical notes: It was believed that hops checked sexual desire. Therefore it was commonly cultivated in the monasteries. (e.g. Saint Gallen in the 8th century)
HOREHOUND Medicinal use: cough, snake bites, stomach ailments. Pliny also tells us that it is the most effective antidote against poisons.
HORSERADISH Medicinal use: cough, dropsy, fever, gout, parasites, respiratory diseases, stomach ailments, Magic & beliefs: Hildegard of Bingen tells us that if one has a piece of horseradish in one's purse during the New Year's Eve, one shall not run out of money during the next year.
HOUSELEEK Magic & beliefs: It was believed that houseleek protects houses from storms and lightning. It also prevented evil spirits from entering the house. Historical notes: Charlemagne ordered that peasants should grow houseleek on the roofs of their cottages.
HYSSOP Medicinal use: cough, infections, parasites, respiratory diseases, snake bites, wounds
IVY Medicinal use: infections, burns
IRIS Medicinal use: fractures, bites of snakes and spiders, cough, cramps, dog-bites, hangover, stomach troubles
JOHN'S WORT Medicinal use: wounds, infections, pains of labour Magic & beliefs: The juice of the plant protected books from mice and insects
JUNIPER Medicinal use: Chewing the seeds and drinking white wine was believed to be an effective remedy for pain. Inhaling the smoke of burning juniper cured cough and killed parasites. Juniper was also used to cure sprains. Magic & beliefs: The smoke of the burning juniper was supposed to protect people from plague and other epidemics. In addition, it was claimed that it would prevent faeries from stealing infants. Finally, juniper was thought to have a power to repel evil spirits.
KNOTGRASS Medicinal use: wounds LADY'S BEDSTRAW Medicinal use: scorpion stings, skin diseases, wounds Historical notes: It was also used to dye wool yellow
LADY'S MANTLE Medicinal use: wounds Historical notes: Lady's mantle played an important part in alchemists' efforts to create the potion of youth.
LARCH Medicinal use: burns
LAUREL Medicinal use: fever, flu, gout, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, stomach ailments Magic & beliefs: Laurel protected people from lightning, plague, hallucinations and demons. Pliny also tells us that if a pregnant woman ate 7 berries beforehand, the labour would be painless
LEEK Medicinal use : burns, cough,dropsy, miscarriage, poisonous bites, wounds Magic & beliefs: According to Theatrum Sanitatis, the plant was also an aphrodisiac.
LEMON BALM Medicinal use: Hildegard of Bingen called this herb 'Hertzensfreud' which describes pretty well the medicinal uses of the plant. It was believed to be an effective remedy for depression, heart diseases, restlessness, sleeplessness and also for stomach ailments
LILIES Medicinal use: burns, nervousness, snake bites, wounds
LIQUORICE Medicinal use: cough, fever, respiratory diseases.
LOVAGE Medicinal use: asthma, dropsy, gout, snakebites, sore throat, stomach troubles Magic & beliefs: Lovage was commonly used in love potions. In addition the plant also acted as a sentry of the home; if planted in front of the house lovage was supposed to keep off all evil forces, such as plague, snakes, insects etc. Historical notes: Given the plants medical and magical powers, it is no wonder that lovage was an extremely important herb during the Middle Ages. Therefore a garden without this plant would be very rare.
MALLOW Medicinal use: all-heal Magic & beliefs: Mallow was an important ingredient in love potions. In addition, Pliny also reminds us that "those who carry mallow on their person are protected from all kinds of scorpion stings."
MANDRAKE Medicinal use : The herb was used as an anaesthetic in surgical operations. A special anaesthetic potion was invented in Bologna in the 13th century. Ingredients were poppy, mandrake and vinegar. Magic & beliefs: Medieval witches used this herb in their ointments and potions. Care had to be taken when mandrake was plucked.
MARIGOLD Medicinal use: marigold was among the most important remedies for wounds. The plant also cured bites and stomach ailments and infections. Magic & beliefs: aphrodisiac
MARSH MALLOW Medicinal use: cough, fractures, poisonous bites, respiratory diseases, scorpion stings, skin diseases Magic & beliefs: according to Pliny, marsh mallow keeps bees, hornets, wasps and serpents away
MINTS Medicinal use: cough, flu, respiratory diseases, stomach troubles Magic & beliefs: Various species prevented drunkenness and protected people from the evil eye. Mints were also aphrodisiacs.
MONKSHOOD Medicinal use: pain killer Magic & beliefs: witches and assassins used regularly this plant as an ingredient in their potions and ointments.
MUGWORT Medicinal use: flu, parasites, women's diseases Magic & beliefs: Mugwort was believed to be a rather magical plant. For example it was said that this plant, if wrapped around a traveller, would protect her from wild beasts, fatigue and poisons. It was also believed that mugwort would protect valuable books by repelling bookworms and other insects.
MUSTARD Medicinal use: gout, scorpion stings Magic & beliefs: aphrodisiac. According to one recipe, mustard mixed with mint and wine would make women lustful.
NETTLE Medicinal use: all-heal Magic & beliefs: aphrodisiac
NUTMEG Medicinal use: epilepsy, eye diseases, stomach ailments Magic & beliefs: Hildegard of Bingen praised nutmeg and reminded her readers that they should, if possible, keep nutmeg in their pocket during the New Year's Eve. This would protect them during the next year, if they happened to fall from a roof, cliff, ladder or other high place. Few could afford this though, because nutmeg was an extremely expensive spice during Middle Ages. Another story - told by a monk - claims that nutmeg is useful for men, because its ability to enhance potency.
OAK Medicinal use: infections, poisons, wounds
ONIONS Medicinal use : dog bites, serpent bites, stomach ailments, wounds made by wild beasts. Pliny also writes that the juice taken with water is good "for those suddenly stricken by dumbness".
OREGANO Medicinal use: all poisonous bites, cramps, dropsy Magic & beliefs: Oregano was quite a powerful plant because a person who carried it with him was believed to be protected from the witches, water sprites, demons and venomous animals. It was also believed that the smoke of burning oregano prevented the devil from helping his servants. Therefore twigs were commonly burnt during torture sessions by the inquisitors. This small bush had also a power to repel snakes from the garden.
PAPAVER RHOEAS Medicinal use: wounds, sleeplessness
PARSLEY Medicinal use: parasites, poisons. Magic & beliefs: Parsley was associated with the devil. The plant germinates notoriously slowly and people claimed that seeds must go seven times to hell to ask permission to grow. If the seeds didn't germinate, the person who planted them was believed to die during the next year.
PASQUE FLOWER Medicinal use: pain killer
PEACH TREE Medicinal use: dropsy, pain, parasites
PEPPER Medicinal use: depression, fever, pain, stomach ailments. Magic & beliefs: It was believed that a soldier who carries pepper in his pocket would not be wounded on the battlefield. Some scholars also claimed that pepper enhanced vision.
POPPY Medicinal use: Poppy was used mainly as a remedy for pain. It was also used to cure cough and restlessness
QUICKGRASS Medicinal use: women's diseases
RADISH Medicinal use: cough, deafness, dropsy, eye diseases, inflammations, intestinal worms, poisons, skin diseases, snakebites, stomach troubles, women's diseases Magic & beliefs: This plant was believed to be effective against scorpions. For example Pliny tells us that "with hands rubbed with radish or its seed, you may handle scorpions without fear and radish placed on scorpions kills them." In addition it was an aphrodisiac.
ROCKET Medicinal use: cough, fractured bones, parasites, scorpion bites Magic & beliefs: This herb was an aphrodisiac. According one recipe three leaves must be picked with left hand, pounded and drunk in hydromel.
ROSEMARY Remedy for: sprains, fractures, wounds, cough, dizziness, stomach troubles Magic & beliefs : Rosemary, if hung around the neck, protected from plague whereas the twig offered protection against the evil eye. It was also claimed that people who sniffed the flowers of the herb regularly retained their youthfulness. In addition to this, rosemary prevented faeries from stealing infants.
ROSES Medicinal use: fatigue, eye diseases, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, sleeplessness, stomach troubles, womens' diseases.
SAFFRON Medicinal use: Saffron was an ingredient in famous Mithridates' antidote. Thanks to this, the herb was believed to be effective against all kinds of poisons. Cough, sleeplessness, the pains of labour and depression were also cured by saffron. The expensiveness of the spice limited its use though. Magic & beliefs: aphrodisiac
SAGE / (salvia ) Medicinal use: 'How can a man die when sage is growing in the garden?' This often quoted sentence describes pretty well the omnipotence of sage. The bush was definitely among the most important medicinal herbs of Medieval Europe. It was believed to have the power to cure all imaginable diseases and therefore a Covenant garden without it would be extremely rare. Magic & beliefs: aphrodisiac
SELF-HEAL Medicinal use: This herb was among the most important remedies for wounds during the middle ages.
SOAPWORT Historical notes: the root of this plant was used as a soap
SOLOMON'S SEAL Medicinal use: The crushed root was perhaps the most important remedy for fractures. Root was also used externally to heal wounds.
SORREL Medicinal use : epidemics, fever, stomach troubles Magic & beliefs: Pliny reminds us that "those who carry it on their person are protected from scorpion stings"
SOUTHERNWOOD Medicinal use: cough, poisons, respiratory diseases, snakebites, stomach ailments. It was also used to repel moths. Magic & beliefs: southernwood was the most potent antidote versus magic potions. It also repelled demons, kept snakes away and protected people from thieves. It was said that the plant can cause impotence.
SPINACH Medicinal use: cough, respiratory diseases, scorpion stings
SQUILL Medicinal use: dropsy, parasites, snake bites, stomach ailments. It was also used to enhance vision. Magic & beliefs: Pliny writes that "squill, if hung in a doorway has the power to keep off evil enchantments."
STONE PINE Medicinal use: the seeds were useful against cough and respiratory diseases, the bark against pain
SUMMER SAVORY Medicinal use: bites of animals. Magic & beliefs: aphrodisiac. It was thought that the herb had a power to drive away insects
SWEET CICELY Medicinal use: epidemics, sleeplessness, stomach ailments
SWEET MARJORAM Medicinal use: deafness, dropsy, hangover, stomach ailments, womens' diseases
TANSY Medicinal use: This plant was used mainly to kill intestinal worms and other insects. Some scholars recommended it as a remedy for nervousness and the pains of the labour.
THYME Medicinal use: burns, cough, respiratory diseases, sprains, stomach ailments, womens' diseases Magic & beliefs: Like many other herbs, thyme protected medieval people from witchcraft. It was also claimed that eating thyme increased courage whereas the smoke of the burning herb was believed to offer a protection from poisonous bites. Thyme was also an ingredient in a potion that enabled people to see faeries.
TORMENTIL Medicinal use: wounds, infections
TURNIPS Magic & beliefs : Pliny tells us that turnips' seeds "if made into liniment or a drink in wine" will protect a person from snake bites and other poisons
VALERIAN Medicinal use: all-heal Magic & beliefs: Yet another very powerful plant. People believed that valerian would deflect all evil plans away from the person who carried the herb. In addition, the root of the herb offered protection from evil and libidinous faeries. Cattle, if washed with the juice of valerian, were protected from earth sprites. The plant was also an aphrodisiac. For example valerian mixed with neat wine was supposed to turn even the most virtuous woman lustful.
VERVAIN Medicinal use: among the most important remedies for wounds Magic & beliefs: vervain was believed to protect people from metal weapons
WHITE WILLOW Medicinal use: the skin, if boiled with water, was a pain killer
WILD BEET Medicinal use : burns
WILD LETTUCE Medicinal use : fresh burns, poisons, spider stings, snake bites, wounds, Magic & beliefs: It was thought that wild lettuce would improve vision. This belief was probably based on Pliny's story about hawks . ("... since hawks, by tearing it open and wetting their eyes with the juice, dispel poor vision when they have become aware of it.")
WORMWOOD Medicinal use: Wormwood was an all-heal, but as the name hints the herb was used mainly to kill and repel all kinds of insects. Magic & beliefs: This plant had strange powers. For example, Pliny tell us that the person who has wormwood in her shoe is protected from seasickness and sea monsters. In addition, the fellow who carries the twig of the herb is protected from fatigue. It was also believed that wormwood juice repelled bookworms and other nasty bugs. Therefore medieval scholars used to add this juice to their ink in order to protect their books. Others preferred rinsing vellum sheets with the same juice. People also thought that wormwood would turn moths away from wardrobes. It was also claimed that wormwood, if cultivated in the garden, would keep off all kinds of snakes.
YARROW Medicinal use: Yarrow was without doubt a major healing herb during the middle ages. It served not only doctors but also common folk - like carpenters - who carried it in their pouches as a first aid kit. It was mainly used to heal wounds and to prevent infections.
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