Magical Herbalism Recommended Reading List

Many witchy-type people are interested in magical herbalism, and there’s a TON of information out there! So if you’re looking for books to guide you in your herbalism studies, here are some useful titles to add to your collection. Bear in mind that some focus more on folklore and medicinal history rather than Neopagan practice, but all are books that are worthy of referencing.

Also, a quick disclaimer – any time I put out a list of book titles to read, inevitably I get messages about WHAT ABOUT THIS ONE and WHAT ABOUT THAT ONE? Here’s the thing – I only recommend books I have personally read. If it ain’t on here, odds are good it’s one I haven’t read. So there’s no need to let me know I’ve failed at list making because I didn’t include that one herb book you really love. That said, these are in no particular order, other than the sequence in which I grabbed them off my bookshelf. Many of them are solid enough that I included them in the “for further reading” list at the end of my own book, Herb Magic.

Finally, it’s important to note that there is a difference between using an herb magically and INGESTING it. Be safe when using herbs in magic, and don’t take anything in a manner that could be potentially harmful to you or others.

• Culpeper’s Herbal, by Nicolas Culpeper

Nicholas Culpeper was a 17th-century English botanist and herbalist, as well as a physician, and spent a significant part of his life wandering around outside documenting the many medicinal herbs the earth has to offer. The end result of his life’s work was Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, in which he blended his scientific knowledge with his belief in astrology, explaining how each plant had not only medicinal properties but planetary associations that guided it in healing and curing disease. His work had a significant impact on not only medical practice of his time, but modern healing methods as well. This is a handy resource to have on hand for anyone who is interested in the metaphysical correspondences of herbs and other plants.

• A Modern Herbal, by Maude Grieve, Volume 1 and Volume 2

Maude Grieve, born in the mid-1800s, was the founder of a medicinal and herbal farm in England, and was also a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society. Much like the work of Nicholas Culpeper, Mrs. Grieve spent a great part of her life working with herbs and other plants. Her books, collectively known as A Modern Herbal, provide not only scientific and medical information about plants, but also at the folklore surrounding their use and properties. These books contain information on plants not only from Mrs. Grieve’s native Britain but also the rest of the world, and is a worthy investment for anyone interested in horticulture, botany, herbalism, or plant folklore.

• The Herb Book, by John Lust

With listings for over 500 commonly found plants and herbs, this book is one of the best known in the field, and is probably one of the most complete plant catalogs written today – my copy is from the late 1980s and I’ve about worn it out, but I don’t care because it’s awesome. Includes information on medicinal usage, scientific background and taxonomy, cosmetic use, folklore, and medical contraindications of herbs and plants. John B. Lust (N.D., American School of Naturopathy) was the editor and publisher of Nature’s Path magazine.

• Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss

Back to Eden is a classic guide to natural, organic living – and I’ve had this one as long as I’ve had my copy of Lust’s book. Although it was first written in 1939, it was clearly ahead of its time. Author Jethro Kloss ran health centers in the Midwest, and eventually founded a whole foods manufacturing company. An advocate of healthy eating, Kloss wrote about holistic methods of healing and living — including less meat and grains, more veggies and fruits. This book features not only information about plants and herbs, but also a number of practical herbal remedies such as teas and poultices. Be sure to check with a physician before taking any herbal remedies internally.

• The Master Book of Herbalism, by Paul Byerl

This book focuses predominantly on the magical uses of various herbs, and author Paul Byerl goes into a lot of detail. While it may not be as comprehensive as some of the other “magical encyclopedias” out there, what information is provided is pretty detailed. Lots of detail on astrological influences over herbs, correspondences with gemstones and crystals, connections to deity, and use in ritual. Although the book does not include a lot of illustrations, it still provides plenty of folklore and background. Definitely for use in magical workings, although not so much for medicinal information.

• Bud, Blossom and Leaf, by Dorothy Morrison

One of the reasons I love this book is because Dorothy Morrison starts everything from scratch, and Bud, Blossom and Leaf is no exception. While not an herb book per se, Morrison leads readers through the magical aspects and process of gardening. From the planning stages to planting rituals, she manages to incorporate magic into step of herb cultivation. Because herbs are more than just plants we snip and use, she takes the time to create rituals for their beginnings and endings. This book is a nice blend of magical how-to combined with advice for gardeners, so that even someone who has never grown their own herbs can learn to do so. Includes astrological and magical correspondences, as well as recipes and ideas for use.

• Book of Magical Herbs, by Margaret Picton & Michelle Pickering

I first stumbled across this book at a used book sale, and what a treasure it was! The Book of Magical Herbs is beautifully illustrated, and goes into depth on herb mythology and folklore. In addition to medicinal and culinary uses, there is also a significant amount of text devoted to folk remedies, traditional magic, and recipes. Interestingly, the book actually seems to take on a slightly Christianized slant, and I don’t think it was necessarily written with Pagans as the target audience. Regardless, it’s beautiful to look at and can come in very handy in your magical herbalism practices.

• Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham

Scott Cunningham is one of those authors that people generally either love or hate. While this book is not without its flaws, to be sure, it also has a lot of really valuable information contained inside. Several hundred herbs are detailed, along with black and white illustrations, to include such things as planetary correspondences, deity connections, elemental significance, and magical properties. Just for the sheer quantity included, it’s worth having on the shelf. That having been said, there is information you won’t find in here, such as recipes for how to actually use the herbs mentioned. Comes in handy for quick and basic reference, although for more detailed information you may need to look elsewhere. I’ve had to repair my copy with library tape more times than I care to admit, because it’s super useful.

• Garden Witch’s Herbal, by Ellen Dugan

From the publisher: “Ellen Dugan, the “Garden Witch,” is an award-winning author, a psychic-clairvoyant and a regular contributor to Llewellyn’s almanacs, datebooks, and calendars. A practicing Witch for over twenty-five years, she is also a certified Master Gardener.” Ellen Dugan’s love of gardening shines through in this book, and she shares a number of creative and magical ways to get in touch with the elements through the practice of gardening. While not a true herbal, in the sense of Culpeper or Grieve, this is a useful reference book to have on hand while planning your magical plantings each year.

Blackthorn’s Botanical Magic: The Green Witch’s Guide to Essential Oils for Spellcraft, Ritual & Healing, by Amy Blackthorn

Amy Blackthorn is one of my favorite people on the planet, and she’s the BombDotCom when it comes to green witchcraft practices for blending oils, teas, and all kinds of other cool stuff. Her Botanical Magic book is an incredible resource for anyone who works with plants in a magical context. From roots to fruits, Amy has some incredibly powerful – and easy to understand – goodies for you. Although this book focuses primarily on the use of essential oils, the principles Amy outlines are thoroughly transferable to other sorts of plant magic.

The Illustrated Herbiary: Guidance and Rituals from 36 Bewitching Botanicals, by Maia Toll

This is on of my favorite books on herbs and plants because it’s so beautiful. It’s sort of a blend between an herbal grimoire and a really cool art piece. Although it only covers three dozen herbs, it’s a rich compendium of folklore, magical practices, and lovely illustrations that help readers find the beauty and power of sacred plants. Bonus – it includes a set of herbal oracle cards for your divination needs, which is a neat twist on the standard herbal book. Everyone from veteran practitioners like myself to newbies who want to dip their toes in the water of herbal magic will find something of value here. Plus, as I mentioned, it’s just really pretty!

The Witching Herbs, by Harold Roth

Harold Roth knows his herbal magic, and The Witching Herbs reflects his detailed and in depth experience. I love this book because it’s clear and simple enough that a beginner to plant magic can understand it and use the resources, but it also includes a significant amount of metaphysical and occult lore that could be of interest to more experienced practitioners. It’s both a garden how-to and a magical correspondence compendium, covering everything from the kinds of soil and lighting conditions you need to grow a plant to how to work with the plant’s spirit and vibration. It only covers thirteen herbs, but what is in there is really well detailed.