Magickal Uses: Use ebony in amulets for protection. Wands made from this wood gives pure, untainted power.

Magickal Uses: Native Americans use this herb as an offering to spirits to ensure and strengthen spells.

Magickal Uses: Edelweiss confers invisibility when worn as a wreath. Wearing a whole plant that was pulled up on the Friday of a Full Moon that is wrapped in white linen protects against daggers and bullets. Edelweiss will grant your heart’s desire.

Ritual Uses: Before felling an elder recite the following, while kneeling:

’Lady Ellhorn, give me of thy wood,
And I will give thee of mine,
When I become a tree.’

This will give the residing entity time to vacate. Especially among some Gypsies, sited as being dangerous, have long forbidden the use of the elder as firewood. However the wood has been used as wands for centuries. Flutes are also made from the branches to call forth spirits.

Magickal Uses: A person, place or thing may be blessed by scattering the leaves and berries to the four winds in the name of the subject to be blessed. Then scatter more leaves and berried over the named subject. Curses may be effected in the same manner. When worn it prevents all types of attacks. It keeps evil from the home when hung over the doors and windows. The berries drive away evil and negativity when carried. Grow it in your garden to protect from lightning and sorcery. Grown near the home it will bring prosperity. Placing sticks of the elder will protect it from snakes. Elderberries place beneath your pillow will induce a peaceful sleep. Carry it to prevent temptation of adultery. A fever may be dispelled by poking a twig into the ground while remaining in total silence. Since toothaches were one believed to be caused by evil spirits, it was also believed that chewing on a twig would rid you of it if you said; “Depart thou evil spirit.” To treat rheumatism, a twig is tied into three or four knots and carried in the pocket. Warts will disappear if they are rubbed with a green twig and then buried.

Elderflower - (Sambucus nigra)

Herbal Uses: The black elder can be used as an insecticide in the garden or to repel insects from the face or body. A simple infusion of the fresh leaf is made for this purpose. It can also be poured doun mouse and mole holes. The berries are used for jam, wine, pies, and syrups. Medicinally, they help coughs, colic, diarrhea, sore throats, asthma, and flu. A pinch of cinnamon makes the tea more warming. The leaves are added to salves for skin conditions. The flowers are infused for fevers, eruptive skin conditions such as measles, and sever bronchial and lung problems. A classic flu remedy is a mixture of elderflower, yarrow, and peppermint teas. Keep the patient well covered, as the flowers promote sweating. Use two teaspoons of the herbs per cup of water, steep for twenty minutes, and take up to three cups a day.

Homeopathic Uses: Homeopaths use Sambucus nigra for conditions accompanied by profuse perspiration and suffocative coughs that are worse around midnight.

Magickal Uses: Panpipes are made of elder stems. A dryad “Elder Mother” is said to live in the tree; she will haunt anyone who cuts down her wood. Stand or sleep under an elder on Midsummer Eve to see the King of the Fairies and his retinue pass. The flowers are used in wish-fulfillment spells.

Elecampane – (Inula Helenium) Folk Names: Alantwurzel (German), Alycompaine, Aunne (French), Elf Dock, Elfwort, Horseheal, Nurse Heal, Scabwort, Velvet Dock, Wild Sunflower

Herbal Uses: The autumn-dug root is excellent for coughs and has been used by Native American healers to cure tuberculosis. All chronic lung conditions such as bronchitis and asthma are helped by it. It is generally mixed with other lung herbs. Elecampane produces an active principle called helenin, which is antiseptic and antibacterial, making the root useful in salves and surgical dressings.

Homeopathic Uses: Homeopaths use Inula for diabetes, bronchial infections, and ‘bearing down’ sensations in the pelvic region with labor-like pains.

Magickal Uses: Make a sachet of pink cloth and include the leaves or flowers and wear to attract love. It also bestows protection when worn. Smolder as an incense on charcoal when scrying to enhance psychic powers and to bring joy and love. Use it in the ritual chalice.

Elm – (Ulmus campestris) Folk Names: Elven, English Elm, European Elm. Elm gained its folk name of Elven due to its popularity with elves.

Herbal Uses: The dried inner bark of Ulmus campestris (common elm) has been used both internally and externally for ringworm. The bark of young branches is made into a tea for herpes, itch, scruf, and other skin ailments. To make the tea, simmer two teaspoons of bark or twigs per cup of water for twenty minutes. Take one-fourth cup four times a day. The bark and leaf are tinctured in vinegar to make a skin wash. U. fulva, the slippery elm, has a soothing, mucilaginous inner bark that is used externally in poultices for wounds and inflammations (simply add water to the dried and powdered bark until it has a pie-dough consistency, and apply). As a tea, it is used for sore throats, bronchitis, diarrhea, urinary problems, and dysentery. It is incorporated into suppositories, enemas, and douches because of its soothing nature. Experience has taught only very small amounts of the powdered bark can be added to a douche or a tea. It gels quickly into a mass, so be watchful and put in only a teaspoon at a time.

Caution: Elm trees have been much depleted by Dutch elm disease. Use only the bark of outer twigs to avoid harming the tree.

Magickal Uses: Elm attracts love when carried and is now used to protect against lightning strikes. Slippery elm is hung around a child’s neck to ensure speaking skills in later life.

Emmer – (Triticum dicoccum) It was widely used for making bread and beer. Flour made from emmer is ‘weal’, suitable for flat breads and pastry. It was the staple crop in ancient Mesopotamia until it was replaced by barley. In medicine, emmer was used in bandages. With salt and another plant it was believed to induce childbirth ( E. 800). It was also employed to stimulate hair growth.

Enchanter’s Herb - See Vervain

Endive – (Cichorium endivia)

Magickal Uses: For use in magick, gather thusly: Using a piece of gold or a stag’s horn, dig it up on the 27th of June or the 25th of July. It is worn as a talisman to attract love. Replace every three days, as it needs to be fresh. Add to salads to incite lust.

Ephedra – (Ephedra nevadensis) Folk Names: Mormon Tea. An unusual looking plant with green twig-like branches resembling a small horsetail plant. A source of ephedrine, a central nervous system stimulant. Used as a thirst-quenching tea in western United States by Native Americans and early settlers, including Mormons, hence the common name Mormon Tea. Unfortunately, ephedra has gained notoriety for the misuse of ephedrine in ”herbal ecstasy”, leading to many overdoses. The raw plant material contains very little ephedrine.

Eryngo – (Eryngium spp.) Folk Names:Sea Holly

Magickal Uses: Travelers carry or wear it for safety and luck during the trip. Known as an herb capable of causing peace it is often scattered around the home or given to a quarreling couple. Use also in love spells.

Eucalyptus – (Eucalyptus spp.) Folk Names: Blue Gum Tree, Stringy Bark Tree

Magickal Uses: Stuff healing poppets and carry for good health. Ringing three green candles with the leaves and pods may relieve colds. Then burn the candles all the way to the socket while visualizing the inflicted person. Hang eucalyptus over the sick bed. For sore throats, wear a necklace made of the green pods, strung on green thread. Place pods beneath your pillow to protect against colds. Carry the leaves for protection.

Euphorbia – (Euphorbis spp) PoisonFolk Names: Crown of Thorns, Spurge, Wolf’s Milk. In Amman, a branch is brought into the house to cleanse it after childbirth.

Magickal Uses: Grow indoors or out for protection. The milk is sometimes used in magickal oils and salves but is extremely poisonous and should not be used carelessly!

Eyebright – (Euphrasia officinalis) Folk Names: Euphrosyne, Red Eyebright

Magickal Uses: Brew as a tea to clear the mind and improve the memory. Carry to increase your psychic powers and use when the truth is needed to be seen. An infusion applied to the eyelids on cotton balls will induce clairvoyance. This must be done several times to achieve the desired effect.