The Magical Properties of Herbs in Common Herbal Teas

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Herbal teas can provide a myriad of health benefits, depending on the type of tea you drink. Different herbs and spices offer a wide array of phytochemicals, amino acids, and vitamins. Certain herbs and spices are associated with specific health benefits, for example, ginger is known to help reduce inflammation and aid in digestion. Herbs like passion flower and lemon balm have been proven to help with anxiety. Cinnamon contains antioxidants and may help regulate blood sugar. But herbs are believed to also have magical properties.

Herbs and spices have been long used in witchcraft and other pagan religions for anything from protection to spells for abundance. One of my favorite ways to practice magic is with herbs and herbal teas. Not only can tea be both uplifting and comforting, but I can add my intentions to each cup. Matching the intention to the type of tea and then stirring while envisioning your desired outcome can be meditative as well, making tea beneficial for the mind and body, while also unlocking the herb's magical properties.

Let's take a look at Chai Tea as an example. The most common spices used in chai tea are ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and black pepper. You may also find some blends with star anise. I've already mentioned the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger and cinnamon. Cardamom, along with ginger, is known to help aid in digestion. Cardamom also can be beneficial in maintaining blood sugar levels, like cinnamon. Cloves have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Black pepper can help strengthen the immune system and is a good source of vitamins and minerals like manganese and vitamin K. Nutmeg is another spice that is rich in antioxidants.

But the spices in your Chai Latte also have strong magical properties. Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and star anise are all associated with money, luck, and or success. Black pepper, cinnamon, and ginger are used for protection and strength.

There was a short while when I was out of work. As you can imagine, money was a concern, but also my personal strength was cracking under the stress and pressure. Stress can mess with everything from sleep to digestion. Swapping a cup of Chai for my normal afternoon cup of coffee was one thing I did to help reduce the symptoms of my stress as well as add a little kitchen witchery to my day. If I felt like my strength was depleted and that there was more negativity coming at me than I could deflect, I'd stir my tea counterclockwise to banish the dark and unwanted and activate those protective properties. If my main concern was money that day, I'd stir clockwise and imagine the right job coming in, or just that we had enough money to handle what needed to be handled. Sometimes I'd omit the milk and add a slice of orange, another sign of abundance and luck as well as a nice vitamin C boost.

Here are 12 common herbs and spices found in herbal teas with their medicinal and magical properties:

Herb/Spice	Possible Health Benefits	Magical Properties
Bergamot	~Relieve tension (May have benefits for anxiety and depression) ~Relax muscle spasms ~Improve digestion	~Prosperity, luck, wealth. ~Protects from evil and illness ~Increases magical power
Cardamom	~Sleep ~Digestive aid ~May lower blood pressure	~Harmony/Balance ~Fidelity ~Love/Lust
Chamomile	~Promotes sleep ~Aids digestion ~Muscle pain relief	~Protection/Purification ~Attracts money ~Love
Cinnamon	~Stabilizes blood sugar levels ~Stimulates circulation and blood flow ~Antibacterial and antimicrobial properties	~Healing/Strength ~Protection/Power ~Luck/Prosperity
Echinacea	~Immune health ~Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory ~Detoxifying	~Adds strength to spells and user ~Fertility/Abundance ~Clairvoyant/Psychic abilities
Ginger	~Digestive aid/anti-nausea ~Anti-inflammatory and antiviral ~Helps ease muscle pain over time	~Increase magic power ~Success/Money ~Power ~Love
Hibiscus	~Cooling (soothes fevers) ~Mildly sedative ~Digestive aid	~Love/Lust ~Divination ~Lunar Magic
Lavender	~Relieves anxiety and depression ~Antimicrobial ~Relieves irritability, headaches, and migraines	~Healing/Longevity ~Peace/Tranquility - Clears the mind enhancing psychic abilities ~Protection
Lemon Balm	~Relieves anxiety and depression ~Antiviral/antibacterial ~Reduces symptoms of nervousness (Increases GABA levels in the brain)	~Compassion ~Success ~Healing
Passion Flower	~Relieves anxiety, tension, and irritability ~Induces sleep ~Reduces mental chatter and racing thoughts	~Friendship/Passion ~Peace/Tranquility ~House blessings
Peppermint	~Digestive aid ~Antimicrobial ~Decongestant/can help treat colds	~Increases psychic power ~Divination ~Healing
Spearmint	~Digestive aid ~High in antioxidants ~Antibacterial and antimicrobial properties	~Healing ~Love ~Protection

Some tea blends that I use often in both meditation and magic, help promote peace and tranquility. Depending on the tea, I either make a big pitcher and drink it cold, or I blend the herbs in a jar and make a warm cup at a time. Some of my favorites are:

Lemon is great as a detoxifier, both medicinally and spiritually. Honey is believed to make a spell stick making them great add-ins for most teas. Some other herbs and spices offer many different health and magical benefits that I'll explore further in other posts.

If you try any of these tea blends, please leave a comment and let me know how you liked it. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about any of the herbs listed below or know of any other uses for them. I did not list all the health or magical benefits of each of these herbs as the lists can be exhausting, but I'm open to hearing and receiving more information.

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I am a certified nutrition coach. I am not a licensed nutritionist or a medical doctor. The information in this article is intended to be informative, but not replace the care or advice of your physician. If you suffer from any medical conditions, always consult your doctor before experimenting with herbs as natural remedies. Some herbs may interact badly with certain medications. This post is intended to show how some herbs can benefit the mind, body, and soul but should not be used as medical advice.

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