Herbs and spices are parts of plants that have culinary, medicinal, and spiritual usage. In rituals, the term herb is used to mean all herbs, spices, and trees. Each herb has its own abilities and strengths. There are also things to be aware of with each herb. If you’re just starting out, here are a few ideas of the best herbs for beginners.
This is a list of the more common herbs and their uses that can help guide you on your journey. Any of these can be used in culinary, spiritual, and personal practices; you may find that some of the spices hanging out in your cabinet are more powerful than you realize!
The most important tool you need is your intention!
Best Herbs for a Beginner Collection
Agrimony
A plant of the rose family with flower spikes and spiny fruits. Repel a jinx or curse, healing, restoration, and benevolent protection. Can be used to attract business.
Apple Blossom
The white flowers with a pink tinge from an apple tree. Used for love magic.
Basil
An aromatic annual herb of the mint family. Used in love, blessings, money, and divination. Can be used to detect whether fidelity is present or not. Basil oil can be anointed with any positive intention.
Bay
An aromatic glossy green leaf of the bay tree. Aid in divination, wisdom, strength, and producing prophetic dreams. Leaves can be burned to help with yes or no questions or to make a wish.
Catnip
Downy leaves and purple spotted white flowers of the mint family. Catnip has a pungent smell. The herb helps to create inner peace and release tension in humans. It will help in dream work as well as love drawing and trance work.
Chamomile
Daisy-like plant of the Asteraceae family. Purification and protection as well as sleep and meditation. Also known to bring luck.
Cinnamon
Spice from a Southeast Asian tree. Enhances spirituality, success, luck, and prosperity and can also be used in healing, shielding, and protection.
Clove
Dried flower bud of a tropical tree with a pungent smell. Bring protection and mental clarity when use in spells. Can be burned to cleanse objects, people, or rooms.
Comfrey
Large hairy leaves and clusters of purple or white bell-shaped flowers of a plant of the borage family. Used in letting go and healing spells.
Dandelion
A weed of the daisy family. Used during divination, healing, purification, and spirit calling. I feel like you can find dandelion almost anywhere. The accessibility is one part of why I love them as a beginner herb, but also they are just lovely. Dandelion tea is a must-try within your spiritual practices!
Dragon’s Blood
Powder or gum from the fruit of certain palm trees and the stems of the dragon tree. A substitute for human or animal blood in antiquated spells. The resin is said to bring power to any work. Alone it is for cleansing and empowering.
Elderberry
Bluish-black or red berries of the elder plant. Used in fairy magic, hidden wisdom, protection, connection, and healing.
Frankincense
Resin from Boswellia trees. Smells like a bright refreshing pine with a strong citrus scent. It is an ancient sacred incense. Banishes negative thoughts and spirits while attracting positive ones. Good for money and success spells.
Garlic
A plant closely related to the onion that produces a strong-smelling tasting bulb. Invoking courage and strength. Also, very potent in supercharging protection spells.
Lavender
A flowering plant of the mint family. It promotes calm, serene, de-stresses, and helps to sleep. Helps to banish nightmares, sadness, and woe. Also used to bring love. Can be used in a purifying bath or smudging ritual. Also is used for creative or clairvoyant meditation.
Mint
Aromatic herb from the Mentha plant. Spearmint is used when a spell calls for oil. When called for powder or incense, peppermint is used. Mint is used for healing and cleansing. Also used to increase psychic abilities. As a beginner, using a herb like mint in tea or as an addition to rituals for meditation and manifestation can be super impactful in your practices!
Mugwort
A plant of the daisy family, with the aromatic divided dark green top leaves that are white below. Mugwort’s various purposes include love, healing, protection, prophecy, and dreams. Can be used to clean tools to increase its power. *Please note it can be harmful to pregnant women.*
Nettle
A herbaceous plant with jagged leaves with stinging hairs. Used in uncrossing and protection spells. Good for courage, consecration, and deterring evil.
Patchouli
A strongly scented shrub of the mint family. It smells like rich earth. It is used for attracting love, lust, or success. Also used for sexual power and fertility. Can be used for love and money attractions. This herb makes a perfect herb for beginners looking to perform rituals for wealth.
Pennyroyal
Two small leaves of the mint family. Known to be used for money, strength, and protection. Wards off the evil eye and dispels anger. *Please note it can be harmful to pregnant women.*
Pepper
Powder from dried and ground peppercorns. Protection, warding, and banishing spell uses. Even though you may have pepper in your kitchen, it is still worth noting. For beginners, accessible herbs can be paramount in spiritual practices!
Red Hibiscus
Flowers from a plant of the mallow family. Lust and love-inducing properties. Red hibiscus is a great herb for beginners who crave intensity in their love rituals.
Rose
A wood perennial flowering plant. Red roses are linked to lust and passion. Pink roses are used for love and yellow roses for friendship. I love using roses for rituals involving love interests as well as self love.
Rosemary
A woody perennial herb with evergreen-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or bluish flowers. Part of the mint family. It is known for helping and strengthening the brain and memory. Other uses include protection and warding off negative energy or people.
Rue
A shrub-like evergreen plant. Most powerful herb for protection, uncrossing work, to ward off evil spirits and illness.
Salt
A mineral containing Sodium Chloride. Strong psychic protection and can break hexes. Also, be used to make a barrier. This is another kitchen herb (well, spice I guess… But it counts, ok!) that is amazing for many rituals. Salt and pepper combined can be the ultimate herb combination for beginners just starting their practices.
Sandalwood
An Indian tree that yields timber and oil. Can be used for cleansing, blessings, sanctity, and healing.
Thyme
Small leaves of a low-growing aromatic plant of the mint family. Attracts loyalty, affection, and good feelings from others. This is a good herb for beginners because it’s a feel-good herb that can be found in most people’s kitchens!
Yarrow
Plant with feathery leaves and small white, yellow, or pink aromatic flowers of the daisy family. Used in healing ointment and as well as healing, love, and courage spells. Increases psychic abilities.
Most of these herbs can be found in your household pantry or be bought at a local grocery store. There are a few that are a little less common, but you can find them at whole food or specialty shops. When in doubt, look online! Amazon honestly has a great variety of cuter herbs to store on your altar and use as well as bulk herb varieties.
For more on herbs, and to learn about spirituality, tarot, moon water, and crystals, subscribe to our newsletter! We’d love to have you.
Don’t forget to check out our downloads page for a printable cheatsheet of these herbs and more!
What’s your favorite herb listed? Is there any I should add? Let me know below!