Rooted in Tradition: Finding Authentic Herbal Substitutes in Folk Magic
Author’s Note: The content of this blog reflects my personal experiences and perspectives on magic. Witchcraft is a deeply individual practice, and my approach may not align with everyone’s beliefs or traditions. I encourage readers to explore, question, and adapt what resonates with them. Nothing shared here is meant to serve as absolute truth or professional advice. Trust your intuition, do your own research, and walk your own path.
When I first set out on my journey as a witch, I had every intention of becoming a Green Witch—a witch who tended a lush garden, grew healing herbs, and worked closely with the land’s natural medicine. For years, I tried to mold my practice into that image, but over time, I realised that path didn’t fit me. It simply wasn’t meant for me. Still, herbs and plants remain a huge part of my craft, both as spell curios and as medicinal components. Trees, flowers, and herbs have always been a part of my magic, and I’ve worked hard to cultivate meaningful relationships with the plants that resonate most deeply with me.
My practice is rooted in an ancestral tradition from a region that my family no longer lives in. This presents a unique challenge when it comes to my work with herbs and plants: how do I stay true to the historical and folkloric foundations of my craft while ensuring that my magic remains authentic to my own daily life? Many of the herbs traditionally used in my practice don’t grow where I live, making direct substitutions almost impossible.
For me, working with herbs requires a careful balance of sustainability, historical and folkloric integrity, authenticity to my lived experience, and deep research. This means approaching herbal substitutions with careful thought—considering not just their magical uses, but also their symbolism, method of use, and cultural significance.
Herbs in Historical Black Books
There are only a few truly valuable books on the folk practices that shape my magic available to me, and even finding them is a challenge. The term I would use to describe my practice is also the modern word for “witchcraft” in general in the region it originates from, making research somewhat difficult. While I appreciate contemporary works on magic, my personal research is rooted in historical sources—particularly the historical Black Books left behind by past practitioners.
Black Books are handwritten grimoires, often compiled over a practitioner’s lifetime, filled with spells, charms, and practical knowledge. However, they were not meant to be permanent records. Many were destroyed upon their owner’s death, and pages were often removed when passing knowledge to an apprentice. Because of this, these books rarely provide a complete picture of the craft, and their references to herbs are often scattered, inconsistent, or incomplete.
To bridge these gaps, I turn to folklore, oral traditions, and the broader historical context of the region, its wildlife and its agriculture. Folklore, in particular, offers valuable insight into how people understood and used plants—not just for magic but for healing, protection, and daily life. A plant’s role in a story, superstition, or old custom can reveal as much about its magical properties as any written spell.
Understanding why and how an herb was used is just as important as knowing what was used. Was it chosen for its appearance, its medicinal properties, or its name? Did it carry cultural or religious significance? Was it a plant readily available to the practitioner, or was its rarity part of its power?
Folklore-Informed Herbal Custom
Folklore is one of the most valuable tools I have for understanding the symbolic and magical properties of herbs. Plants appear in myths, superstitions, and folk traditions for a reason—whether it’s their physical characteristics, medicinal uses, or the ways they were believed to interact with the unseen world. These stories provide a deeper context for an herb’s power, revealing layers of meaning beyond what modern spell books or herbal guides might suggest.
That said, folklore alone isn’t enough—I always cross-reference stories with practical applications. Just because a tale says an herb can banish spirits doesn’t mean it’s safe to burn or ingest. Similarly, a plant’s medicinal uses can inform its magical ones, but only if they align with historical and cultural context. Folklore provides the why behind an herb’s significance, but research and experience help determine how to use it effectively and safely.
Finding Authentic Herbal Substitutes
When I need to substitute an herb in my practice, I must ensure that the replacement is not just convenient but also meaningful and effective. A proper substitution isn’t just about finding something that shares a magical property—it has to align with the herb’s role in the spell, its symbolism, and how it’s being used. To do this, I consider four factors:
Method of Use – How is the herb applied in the spell? Is it meant to be eaten, burned as incense, infused into a wash or oil, carried in a charm bag, or planted as an offering? Some substitutions may work in one method but not another—for example, an herb that is toxic when ingested wouldn’t be a suitable replacement for a tea.
Symbolism & Source of Symbolism – What gives the herb its magical meaning? This can come from its physical appearance (such as red berries for protection or white flowers for purification), its folk name (like lamb’s ear), its medicinal properties (such as willow for healing due to its pain-relieving compounds), or even the way it grows (like ivy for persistence and endurance).
Magical Purpose – What is the herb’s role in the spell? If it’s used for protection, is it acting as a ward, a banisher, or a barrier? If it’s for love magic, is it meant to attract a new romance, strengthen an existing bond, or mend a broken heart? The specific function matters when choosing a replacement.
Spell Circumstances – Is the herb itself the focus of the spell, or is the journey to acquire or prepare it part of the magic? Some spells emphasize the process—such as gathering an herb at dawn or drying it under a full moon—which means the replacement should also allow for that ritual aspect.
An Example: Substituting Mistletoe
Mistletoe has deep ties to European folk magic, often associated with protection, fertility, and healing. It was historically gathered in a ritualistic manner and valued as a sacred plant. However, mistletoe is not always easy to come by in my region, so I may need a meaningful substitution.
To find one, I would work through my criteria:
Method of Use – Mistletoe is often carried as a charm and hung above doorways.
Symbolism & Source of Symbolism – Mistletoe’s power may come from its evergreen nature, its association with liminality (growing between sky and earth in tree branches), and its use in folk medicine. I would look for another plant with evergreen qualities and protective folklore.
Magical Purpose – If I was using mistletoe for protection, I would also need an herb traditionally linked to warding off harm.
Spell Circumstances – If mistletoe’s power was in the act of gathering it under certain conditions, I’d need a substitute that also required intentional harvesting.
After researching, I might settle on holly as a suitable alternative. Like mistletoe, holly is evergreen, strongly associated with protection, and has deep folkloric roots. It can be carried as a charm or hung in doorways, fulfilling mistletoe’s traditional use. Additionally, holly’s sharp leaves reinforce its protective qualities, making it an excellent choice for defensive magic. It is accessible to me as it grows in large bushes near my home, where I can easily gather it with intention.
An Example: Substituting Rowan
Rowan is another well-known protective plant in European folk magic, associated with warding off malevolent forces, breaking curses, and safeguarding homes and travelers. Its red berries and its use in amulets—such as red-threaded rowan crosses hung over doorways—reinforce its magical potency here. When substituting rowan, I must consider its:
Method of Use – Rowan is typically carried as a charm, hung above doorways, or woven into crosses. The substitution must work in similar applications.
Symbolism & Source of Symbolism – Its power comes from its red berries, their natural pentagram-like marking, its association with protection in folklore, and its historical use in amulets. A substitute should have comparable visual or symbolic traits.
Magical Purpose – Rowan is used specifically for protection against malevolent spirits, curses, and the evil eye. The alternative should have strong protective associations.
Spell Circumstances – Since rowan is traditionally gathered with ritual significance, a good substitution would also allow for meaningful collection and preparation.
To replace rowan in my own spells and formulas, I need a plant that shares one or more of these qualities. Possible options might include:
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) – Like rowan, hawthorn has deep protective associations and red berries. In European folklore, it is sacred to the fey and used to guard against harmful spirits. It also has thorns, reinforcing its role as a warding plant.
Holly (Ilex spp.) – Another red-berried tree with protective folklore, holly was historically used to guard homes and ward off evil. Its evergreen nature symbolizes endurance and protection.
Juniper (Juniperus spp.) – While its berries are blue rather than red, juniper has a long history of being used for protection and purification. Bundles of juniper were burned to cleanse spaces, and branches were hung over doorways to ward off harm.
Dogwood (Cornus spp.) – Some species of dogwood bear red berries, and the tree has protective associations in various traditions.
For my practice, hawthorn is the best rowan substitute. It has:
Red berries that visually align with rowan.
A strong presence in protective folklore, particularly against spirits and curses.
A history of being used in amulets, just like rowan.
Thorns, which add to its defensive nature.
A connection to liminality, much like rowan’s association with thresholds and crossings.
Making Mindful, Sustainable Substitutes
When working with herbs in my practice, I prioritise plants that are available both in my local environment and in the region my practice originates from. This approach ensures that my craft remains authentic to its historical and folkloric roots while also being practical and sustainable. Using herbs that are naturally found in both places strengthens the connection between my work and the traditions I follow, creating a bridge between ancestral wisdom and my lived reality.
Foraging for herbs in my area allows me to build a deeper relationship with the land and its spirits, which I believe is an important part of the folkloric path that I follow. However, I approach wildcrafting with great care and responsibility. I always follow a few key guidelines as a wildcrafter:
Harvest Mindfully – I only take what I need and ensure that I leave enough for the plant to thrive and for wildlife to benefit from it.
Identify Before Picking – Some plants have toxic look-alikes, and I always make sure I can correctly identify an herb before harvesting.
Respect Protected Species – If a plant is rare or endangered, I seek alternatives rather than contributing to its decline.
Leave No Trace – I gather respectfully, avoiding damage to the ecosystem.
While I value traditional plants, I avoid bringing invasive species into my area. Although growing my own herbs may seem the logical solution to the problem of accessing traditional herbs, introducing non-native plants to my pots and gardens can disrupt local ecosystems and harm the land spirits I work with. However, I may barter or trade with trusted friends and associates in other areas for traditional plant materials that do not pose an ecological risk.
When a Direct Substitution Isn’t Possible
There are times when I can’t find a direct one-to-one substitute for an herb, whether due to ecological, cultural, or practical reasons. When that happens, I consider alternative approaches:
Using a Related Plant Family – If a traditional herb isn’t available, I look for another plant within the same botanical family that carries similar properties. For example, if vervain is unavailable, I might use blue vervain (Verbena hastata) or another member of the Verbena genus.
Focusing on the Spell’s Structure – Sometimes, the specific herb isn’t as important as the role it plays in the spell. If a plant is used for its fiery nature, I might replace it with another symbol of fire, like a red candle.
Working with Non-Botanical Substitutes – If an herb is traditionally burned for purification but is unavailable, I might use ethically incense, resins, or even the movement of air itself to achieve a similar effect.
By taking this approach, I keep my magic deeply connected to tradition while ensuring it remains practical, ethical, and in harmony with the land I call home.
