The Baneful herbs are those that are poisonous. Any herbs can be baneful herbs if used incorrectly. But the term was applied in medieval times to represent a certain group of herbs. Some of which were used in the Flying Ointments (flying referred to Astral Projection not broom riding). These are very dangerous herbs; they should not be in common use. They were the herbs credited to ‘witches’ workings!
Aconite (Monkshood), Aconitum napellus: Highly toxic with the alkaloid aconitine causing tingling and numbness of tongue and mouth and a sensation of ants crawling over the body, nausea and vomiting with epigastric pain, labored breathing, pulse irregular and weak, skin cold and clammy, features bloodless, giddiness, staggering, but the remains clear.
In late medieval times it was thought to be a key ingredient in a potion that permitted witches to fly. Aconite and Belladonna were said to be the ingredients in the witches' 'Flying ointments.' Aconite causes irregular action of the heart, and Belladonna produces delirium. These combined symptoms might give a sensation of 'flying.'
The plant was sacred to Hecate, hence its archaic name Hecateis herba, the Dark-mother's Herb, which is probably also at the base of its title Queen Mother (or Queenmother of Poisons), as Hecate was by medieval times Queen of Witches. Athena used the poison as well, sprinkling it on the head of the impious maiden weaver Arachne to turn her into a spider
Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade), Atropa belladonna: Highly toxic, may be fatal if ingested. The toxic agents are tropane alkaloids, atropine and others. Toxic poisoning is marked by red skin, dry mouth, abnormally fast heartbeat, prolonged or excessive pupil dilation, inability to focus, overheating due to reduced perspiration, difficult urination, and severe or persistent constipation. High doses lead to overexcitement and symptoms such as restlessness, compulsion to talk, hallucinations, delirium, and manic attacks followed by exhaustion and sleep. Death usually results from asphyxiation.
Named after Bellona [war goddess.] At certain times it takes the form of a beautiful enchantress whom any that look upon her will die. Plant belongs to the devil, who tends to it all year long, except on Walpurgis when he is preparing for Witches' Sabbat. Atropa comes from Greek Atropos, one of the Fates who held the scissors to cut the thread of human life.
Beauty magick. To consecrate ritual tools made of lead. Has affinity with Onyx. Lunar magick. Spell workings related to Death.
Datura ( Jimsonweed), Datura stramonium: Whole plant highly poisonous. Toxicity is caused by tropane alkaloids: atropine, hyoscine(scopolamine), hyoscyamine. Poisoning symptoms are extreme dilation of the pupils, flushed, warm and dry skin, dry mouth, urinary retention and ileus (slowing or stopping of intestinal movement), rapid heart beat, hypertension or hypotension, and choreoathetosis/jerky movements. In case of overdose the effects are hyperthermia, coma, respiratory arrest, and seizures
An ingredient in ancient witches' flying ointment. Was said to be an aid to witches' incantations. To hex or break hexes. Produce sleep, induce dreams. Divination, allow one to see spirits. Protection
Hellebore, Helleborus niger: Toxicity is caused by the glucosides, Helleborin and helleborcin. Symptoms of poisoning are tinnitus, vertigo, stupor, thirst, a feeling of suffocation, swelling of the tongue and throat, emesis and catharsis, bradycardia (slowing of the pulse), and finally collapse and death from cardiac arrest
Once people blessed their cattle with this herb to protect them from evil. Old French tales speak of a sorcerer who strew powdered Hellebore ahead of himself as he walked to make himself invisible. Banishing, necromancy. Used in incense for consecrating talismans.
Used to render oneself less visible by scattering in ahead while walking
Hemlock (Poison), Conium maculatum: The main poisonous principle is coniine, a pyridine derivative similar in structure and function to nicotine; there are also four other structurally related alkaloids. The symptoms of poisoning are rapid onset of irritation of oral mucosa with salivation, nausea, emesis and slight abdominal pain. Diarrhea is uncommon. Bradycardia, miosis and hypertension may rapidly change to tachycardia, hypotension and mydriasis. Seizures followed by ascendant muscle paralysis can be seen in severe cases leading to respiratory failure.
Given to criminals in Greece to kill them. This is what did in Socrates. Used by King Solomon to consecrate his ritual knife. Is sacred to Hecate. Is used to purify and empower ritual and magical tools. Used to arouse jealousy, for Astral projection and in banishing
Henbane, Hyoscyamus niger. N.O. Solanace: The toxic principles are alkaloids atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. They cause the following symptoms: hallucinations, dilated pupils, restlessness, and flushed skin. Less common symptoms such as tachycardia, convulsions, vomiting, hypertension, hyperpyrexia and ataxia.
The dead in Hades were crowned with Henbane as they wandered in the River Styx. In language of flowers, the Henbane blossom means defeat. Burn outside to bring rain. It is an herb of the Underworld. Used to summon spirits and relatives who have passed, love, of a binding nature, marital longevity, to stop harassment, purity, mental, happiness, and improves memory. A favorite of the Fae and nature beings
Mandrake, Atropa mandragora, formerly Mandragora officinalis: Toxicity is caused by the alkaloids hyoscyamine, scopolamine, atropine, and mandragorin. They produce the following symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, slowing of the heartbeat, causes hallucinations, is narcotic and can cause death.
The root is believed to shriek horribly when pulled from the ground, and anyone hearing it would die. Used for love poppets, money-drawing magic. Used as an incense in some black magic rites. Has power against demonical possession. Place a piece of the root on a mantle to avert misfortune and to bring prosperity and joy. Carry to attract love. It is said that a drop of blood should be put in the hole left by digging the root as payment and to insure potency of amulet. Used to invoke deities, especially Circe and Diana. Eastern belief has it that the root cures sterility. Genesis 30:14 Demons cannot bear the smell or presence of Mandrake.
Mistletoe, Viscum album: Poisoning is caused by viscotoxins. Producing these symptoms of poisoning: slow and weaken the heartbeat and constrict blood vessels, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, chills, fever, headaches, angina and hypotension, fixed and dilated pupils, diplopia, irritated conjunctiva, bradycardia, vasoconstriction, hypo- or
hypertension, seizures, and delirium
Revered by Druids, who only sought it when they had visions directing them to seek it. If a great length of time passed without the visions, or it fell to the ground, it was considered an omen of great misfortune. The Mistletoe that grew in Oak trees was the most sacred. It was harvested using a golden sickle and not allowed to touch the ground. Wear around the neck for invisibility. It was used as protection from all things astral and mundane, as an Aphrodisiac. Fights against despair, helps in hunting and conception, dreams, immortality, to ward off thieves and werewolves. Used as amulets for protection or to speed healing
Wolfsbane, Aconitum vulparia: VERY poisonous. Poisoning is caused by the alkaloids lycaconitine and myoctonine. They cause the symptoms of Severe itching and dermatitis, and the sap can be absorbed in a cut……Ingestion: even a tiny amount of this plant can be fatal: may cause hypotension (low blood pressure), irregular pulse, various arrhythmias (altered heart beats), or first-degree heart block. Aconite poisoning can cause prolonged repolarization of the myocardium, which leads to triggered automaticity and ventricular tachyarrhythmias including ventricular ectopy, ventricular tachycardia (fast heart beat), and ventricular fibrillation. Aconite has also been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, diarrhea, muscle cramps, retrosternal discomfort, dizziness, vertigo, variations in motor/sensory skills of limbs, ataxia (loss of coordination), paresthesia (altered sensation), "stiffness" in face, trunk and limbs, clonic convulsions, coma, leukocytosis (high white blood cell count), dimness of vision, blackouts, blurred or double vision, agitation, hyperventilation, difficulty breathing, and respiratory depression.
Said to be invention of Hecate from the foam of Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guarded the gates of the Underworld. Very magickal. Used to redirect enemies. Protection. The seed, when wrapped in lizard's skin, allows one to become invisible. To invoke Hecate.
Wormwood, Artemisia absinthum: Wormwood is classified as an unsafe herb by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because of the neurotoxic potential of thujone and its derivatives. Toxicity is caused by an alkaloid, absinthin, and thujone. The symptoms of poisoning are stomach pain, mental/mood changes, trouble sleeping, tremors, change in the amount of urine, seizures, numbness, and unusual thirst
It is especially connected to snakes: mythology tells that it grew in the tracks of the snake expelled from Eden, for instance, and it was considered a protectant against snakebites. In its association with Mars, wormwood is generally good in protection spells and also a tool for getting vengeance through sorcery
Yew, Taxus baccata: The toxic agent of the yew is the alkaloid taxane. In humans, the yew generates digestive, nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, which can result in death. Symptoms include excitation, hyperventilation, and tachycardia, followed by deceleration of the heart, hypotension, nausea, stomach pains, cramps, giddiness, colic, violent diarrhea, dizzy spells, convulsions, coma and death.
It is said in Norse legends that Yew stands between two worlds and thus it can be used to trap souls within it. It was once used for arrow poison. It is one of the sacred trees of the Druids. Represents Yule because it stands between life and death, representing both. It is a symbol of stability due to its long life.
Butterfly Weed or Pleurisy Root is a smaller member of the Milkweed family. It is said that the plant hates its roots disturbed, so does not transplant well; but I have transplanted several roots, with two definite successes! I first noticed this plant in a field opposite my house back in the early 1970’s. I really liked it then, but after my kids grew up and my youngest daughter earned her Native American name (loosely translates into Butterfly Woman) I fell in love with it!
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