Herbs for Strength

Healing with herbs has been an essential part of witchcraft since time began. Today, unfortunately, most people turn to pharmaceuticals at the first sign of illness or discomfort. That’s created a dependency on pharma because many medicines have side effects that, in turn, need treatment. It’s also created an opportunity for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to flourish.

The best way to keep your immune system healthy to ward off bacterial and viral infections is a healthy lifestyle, and particularly, a healthy diet. There are many medicinal plants that we can keep in our kitchen and add to our meals. Others can be made into elixirs to boost our immune system.

Medicinal herbs to keep in your pantry

The following herbs (and some spices) can be used fresh or dried in food and also as teas. If you’re going to use them in tea, desserts or porridge, sweeten with raw honey. (Raw honey is packed with antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidants.)

Bay leaves: they’re not only good for burning in manifestation rituals. Bay leaves are a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. You can use them daily in food and teas. Medicinal concentrates (elixirs and tinctures) have been used successfully to treat certain Staphylococcus infections.

Beetroot leaves: are definitely not only for compositing. They're full of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, plant protein and fiber. Beetroot leaves are also high in nitrates that can help regulate blood pressure. Beetroot pectin has been shown to have antibacterial properties that fight certain Staphylococcus infections.

Black cumin seeds: (AKA nigella), contain vitamins A, B1, B2 and C as well as amino acids, calcium, iron, magnesium, plant proteins, magnesium, selenium and zinc. Black cumin seeds have powerful antibacterial properties, particularly to treat Staphylococcus infections.

Capsaicin: found in hot peppers and chilies, is a well-known anti-inflammatory that can be ingested or applied topically. Hot peppers are high in vitamins B6, C, K as well as copper, folate, iron, manganese, phosphorous and potassium. Medicinal concentrates have been used to treat cholera bacteria effectively.

Cinnamon: is very versatile in the kitchen and has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It also contains vitamin A, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium. Research has found medicinal concentrates to fight certain drug-resistant bacteria successfully.

Cloves: another versatile ingredient, cloves have antioxidant, antibacterial and analgesic properties. Cloves are also a source of vitamin K and manganese. Medicinal concentrates have proven to inhibit the proliferation of bacteria and other pathogens that invade the body.

Dandelion: although they are a bit bitter, dandelion can be added to stir-fries or salads. You can also make dandelion infused oil and vinegar for cooking, and of course a nice cup of tea. It contains vitamins A, B, C and K as well as calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Dandelion in medicinal concentrates has been shown to increase the growth of healthy gut bacteria, making it an excellent probiotic.

Fennel: is more than an everyday ingredient. It brings vitamins B6 and C to your diet as well as folate and potassium. In medicinal concentrates, fennel has proven to have significant antibacterial activity, especially for multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria that attack the respiratory tract.

Marjoram: widely used in Mediterranean cooking, marjoram leaves can also be used to make infused oil and vinegar as well as tea. Marjoram contains vitamins A and K as well as manganese, magnesium and potassium. It has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties and also aids digestion. Medicinal concentrates can be used to treat many inflammatory and digestive issues.

Nasturtium: more commonly still found in the garden, nasturtium leaves and flowers can be used in salads and added to hot meals just before serving. High in vitamin C, nasturtium plants also have antibacterial and antifungal properties. In medicinal concentrates, it effectively combats bacterial infections of the respiratory tract as well as general fungal infections.

Oregano: popular in the kitchen, oregano has widely used as a medicine by the ancient Greeks and Romans. It contains vitamins E and K as well as calcium, iron and manganese. Oregano also has potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In studies, medicinal concentrates were found to fight certain drug-resistant bacteria successfully.

Rosemary: is a great source of vitamins A and C as well as calcium, folate, iron and manganese. Rosemary is also well known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A widely used culinary ingredient, rosemary can be infused in oils and vinegar as well as tea. Medicinal concentrates are known to treat a broad range of bacterial and fungal infections effectively.

Turmeric: contains over 300 components, including vitamin C, calcium, iron, niacin, potassium and zinc. It also has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric contains a chemical component called curcumin. Studies have shown curcumin to be very effective in treating bacterial and fungal infections when used in medicinal concentrates.

Medicinal herbs to keep in your medicine chest

Most medicinal herbs can be infused to make a tea, but some aren’t that palatable in the kitchen.

Chamomile: this very well-known sedative has been used for relaxation and to treat anxiety for millennia. There are several varieties of chamomile. In general, it doesn’t contain any vitamins. There are, however, small amounts of minerals including calcium, iron and potassium present. Medicinal concentrates increase the sedative effects of chamomile.

Echinacea: medicinal concentrates of echinacea are used to treat respiratory infections and to promote the healing of wounds. Studies haven’t proven that it’s an effective cure for respiratory infections, but they’ve shown that echinacea used long-term boosts the immune system and can prevent disease. Echinacea contains small amounts of vitamins C and D as well as zinc.

Feverfew: as the name suggests, feverfew has traditionally been used to reduce fever. Medicinal concentrates have, however, also been shown to treat migraines and ease arthritic pain successfully. Feverfew must be used sparingly and with caution, though if you have existing blood-related conditions.

Olive leaf: is an antioxidant that also contains vitamin C, amino acids, iron, selenium and zinc. Olive leaf has been shown to have several health benefits, and medicinal concentrates are used as an immune booster as well as to reduce blood pressure.

Wormwood: has been used as a tonic to boost the immune system for centuries. It's well known that poor gut health can open the body up to various infections and other medical conditions. Medicinal concentrates of wormwood act directly on the digestive system, improving appetite, easing stomach spasms, treating diarrhea and clearing intestinal worm infestations. Wormwood can also be used to treat liver toxins and muscle pain.