The Sacred Herbs of Spring: Magical, Healing, and Edible Plants to Celebrate Beltaine

by Ellen Evert Hopman

2 teaspoons of herb per cup of water. To make an infusion, bring the water to a boil, pour it over the herbs, cover, and let steep for 20 minutes. To

2 teaspoons of herb per cup of water. To make an infusion, bring the water to a boil, pour it over the herbs, cover, and let steep for 20 minutes. To

Many parts of the Alder can be used for healing purposes. In Britain and Ireland a tea of ripe Alder cones was taken for gout, and the leaves were used to poultice burns.5

Many parts of the Alder can be used for healing purposes. In Britain and Ireland a tea of ripe Alder cones was taken for gout, and the leaves were used to poultice burns.5

In traditional Highland medicine Alder was a remedy for sore feet and rheumatic parts. The leaves were simmered with Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum cynbifolium) to make a tea, and the affected area was soaked in the tea and scrubbed with the moss. A hot leaf poultice was applied to rheumatic parts.

In traditional Highland medicine Alder was a remedy for sore feet and rheumatic parts. The leaves were simmered with Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum cynbifolium) to make a tea, and the affected area was soaked in the tea and scrubbed with the moss. A hot leaf poultice was applied to rheumatic parts.

The inner bark of the Alder was simmered to make a wash for inflammations and swellings and a gargle for sore throats, including strep. Simmered in vineg...

The inner bark of the Alder was simmered to make a wash for inflammations and swellings and a gargle for sore throats, including strep. Simmered in vineg...

Apple (Pyrus malus) Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris) To eat an apple going to bed Makes the doctor beg his bread. TRADITIONAL ENGLISH SAYING If the Apple blooms in March For barrels of cider you need not sarch. If Apples bloom in April, Why then they will be plentiful. If the Apple tree blossoms in May, You can eat apple dumplings every day.

Apple (Pyrus malus) Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris) To eat an apple going to bed Makes the doctor beg his bread. TRADITIONAL ENGLISH SAYING If the Apple blooms in March For barrels of cider you need not sarch. If Apples bloom in April, Why then they will be plentiful. If the Apple tree blossoms in May, You can eat apple dumplings every day.

Apples are also sacred to Venus/Aphrodite, Hercules, Diana, Iduna, Dionysus, Olwen, Apollo, Hera, Athena, and Zeus, and in rituals to honor these Gods and personalities, Apples are placed on the altar,

Apples are also sacred to Venus/Aphrodite, Hercules, Diana, Iduna, Dionysus, Olwen, Apollo, Hera, Athena, and Zeus, and in rituals to honor these Gods and personalities, Apples are placed on the altar,

Aphrodite within your ritual grove, and burn Apple wood to contact those who dwell in the Summerland.

Aphrodite within your ritual grove, and burn Apple wood to contact those who dwell in the Summerland.

An Apple tree that blooms with ripe apples still on its branches foretells a death.

An Apple tree that blooms with ripe apples still on its branches foretells a death.

Apple has many medicinal uses. In Britain and Ireland a tea of the leaves of Crab Apple was taken internally to treat cancer and applied as a poultice to external bruises. The

Apple has many medicinal uses. In Britain and Ireland a tea of the leaves of Crab Apple was taken internally to treat cancer and applied as a poultice to external bruises. The

In the Highlands of Scotland a syrup of Rowan berries (Sorbus aucuparia), Apples, and honey was used for coughs and chest congestion.

In the Highlands of Scotland a syrup of Rowan berries (Sorbus aucuparia), Apples, and honey was used for coughs and chest congestion.

Apple peel tea can help relieve rheumatism, and

Apple peel tea can help relieve rheumatism, and

Ash

Ash

A fresh branch of Ash was placed in the fire, and the hot sap that dripped from it was gathered in a spoon and put into the ear to relieve an earache, rubbed onto warts, and placed on an aching tooth. Ash was also used to treat rheumatism. A poultice of the young leaves was placed on rheumatic parts, and a tea of the leaves was taken internally. Parts afflicted with ringworm were smudged with smoke from the burning twigs, and the inner bark was simmered in linseed oil to make a remedy for burns.15

A fresh branch of Ash was placed in the fire, and the hot sap that dripped from it was gathered in a spoon and put into the ear to relieve an earache, rubbed onto warts, and placed on an aching tooth. Ash was also used to treat rheumatism. A poultice of the young leaves was placed on rheumatic parts, and a tea of the leaves was taken internally. Parts afflicted with ringworm were smudged with smoke from the burning twigs, and the inner bark was simmered in linseed oil to make a remedy for burns.15

Ash is also used as an herbal remedy today. Tea made from the inner bark can be taken to treat fevers and rheumatism and cleanse the spleen and liver. Leaves gathered in spring (before the summer solstice) can be used fresh or dried to make a laxative tea or a poultice to soothe puncture wounds and bites. They can also be simmered with white wine and used to

Ash is also used as an herbal remedy today. Tea made from the inner bark can be taken to treat fevers and rheumatism and cleanse the spleen and liver. Leaves gathered in spring (before the summer solstice) can be used fresh or dried to make a laxative tea or a poultice to soothe puncture wounds and bites. They can also be simmered with white wine and used to

Frigga and Freya. Eostre

Frigga and Freya. Eostre

Venus—both the planet and the Goddess.

Venus—both the planet and the Goddess.

Birch is a traditional wood from which to make runes for divination.

Birch is a traditional wood from which to make runes for divination.

The inner bark of the Birch has healing qualities too. Although the inner bark of White Birch has no flavor, it is loaded with gamma linolenic acid and useful in cancer treatments.

The inner bark of the Birch has healing qualities too. Although the inner bark of White Birch has no flavor, it is loaded with gamma linolenic acid and useful in cancer treatments.

Birch bark tea is a great grease cutter and can even be used to clean your kitchen stove. I believe it probably can do the same for your blood when taken as a spring tonic. It is also a mild sedative and very useful for insomnia.

Birch bark tea is a great grease cutter and can even be used to clean your kitchen stove. I believe it probably can do the same for your blood when taken as a spring tonic. It is also a mild sedative and very useful for insomnia.

Or carry a bit of Elm in a pouch to foster your magical work and to enhance communications with the Otherworld.

Or carry a bit of Elm in a pouch to foster your magical work and to enhance communications with the Otherworld.

adding lightning-struck Oak to any herbal spell will increase its potency.

Pine is associated with the Goddess Cybele, also known as Magna Mater (Great Mother) or Goddess of Wild Nature, from Anatolia, Greece, and Rome.

Pine is a tree of peace and protection.

Use a branch of Pine to ritually sweep your ceremonial circle. An incense made with Pine brings peace and cleansing to any area.

Sacred Pine Libation

British and Irish traditional herbalists used White Willow (Salix alba) to treat fevers of all kinds, including ague and malaria, and the bark was chewed to ease a headache and rheumatism. In Ireland the leaves of Creeping Willow (Salix repens) were employed for headache and diarrhea.

Willow bark is available in capsules at many health food stores.

Purple Willow bark (Salix purpurea) is best for fevers, Black Willow bark (Salix nigra) is an aphrodisiac, and Goat Willow bark (Salix caprea) aids indigestion and coughs and has been used to disinfect bandages.41

The Yew is a tree that is sacred to Hecate, and in Latin areas black bulls wreathed in Yew were once sacrificed to her. The dried needles can be burned as incense in her honor.45

Burdock is a gentle liver and blood cleanser, making it a classic herb for treating acne and other skin eruptions. In