Herbs for Samhain - 30+ Herbs, Plants & Spices to Use During This Witch's Holiday

Why Use Herbs for Samhain?

Herbs and plants are the earth element for this fiery witch’s holiday, and they can be perfectly harvested if you have them in your own garden or green space. Some of these can be completely thrifted or picked for free if you find them in local parks (like maple leaves) and even likely you’ll find some in your kitchen too!

The spiritual and medicinal properties found in different herbs can make our rituals more powerful and meaningful, so it’s important to understand them better. Using the right kind of herbs can bring you closer to the divine, disconnect from daily stressors and nourish your ritual space with positive energy.

Different herbs have their own powers that might be useful for Samhain, so scroll down to see what I recommend (and as do other witches too!)

When Would I Need To Use Herbs for Samhain (especially as a “baby witch”)?

We all know I don’t love the term “baby witch” – we are all eternal students, especially in a witchcraft practice, so there is no need to be patronising about titles! No-one truly knows everything, but I hope that backyardbanshee.com can be a place to share what we do know.

If you’re new to witchcraft, and the witch’s holidays, then Samhain is a super powerful one for connecting with all kinds of energy. This can be otherworldly, such as interacting with spirits, or it can be the universal waning of our home planet’s energy.

Samhain is the perfect time to channel your spiritual power, work with herbs and plants, and practice traditional witchcraft to ground your energy. Using herbs for Samhain can help open new portals of awareness that will benefit both you and your environment in profound ways.

It’s also important to remember that it’s not just about “casting spells” – we should value all forms of magick, such as divination, meditation, and energy healing. Herbs are a powerful tool for all these practices and more!

How To Use Plants for Samhain – Season of Decay, Ancestry and Other Realms

When Samhain approaches, our hemisphere is typically winding down (or “fallowing”) and getting ready for winter. Similarly, our magickal practice may also be winding down – we’re connecting with the spirits of our ancestors, celebrating the cycle of life, and paying tribute to the Earth’s changing seasons. We can honor this transition by using herbs and plants in various ways – from making incense and potion recipes to decorating ritual spaces.

Including herbs in your Samhain meditations and spells can be a powerful way to manifest your deepest desires. For example, if you are trying to summon the spirits of your ancestors, try burning bay leaves or cinnamon sticks as incense. Bay leaves in particular are believed to help open up portals between this world and the Otherworlds.

Herbs also have properties that may help with divination practices – such as mugwort, which can be used to make dream pillows. Mugwort is said to help open the Third Eye and enhance psychic abilities. Another herb that might be used for divination is wormwood, which can be made into a tea or brewed in wine to help with dream recall and interpret dreams more accurately. It’s not the nicest taste I’d recommend, however.

Finally, certain herbs can be used to honor and remember our ancestors. Rosemary is a traditional plant of remembrance, perfect for decorating alters or ritual spaces at Samhain. Tobacco is also associated with honoring the dead, and its aroma can help create a gentle atmosphere in your space during ritual work especially if it’s ancestral. I’ve even got yellow roses down, which we’ve used in my grandfather’s funeral. See a lovely big list for you below, and hopefully it’ll provide you some inspiration for your own Samhain celebration.

30+ Herbs, Plants and Spices for Samhain; Their Meanings, Correspondences and Witchcraft spell ideas

When it comes to using herbs, spices and plants (especially if the plan is to consume) it is always best to check what is safe and if you’re taking any medication (or are pregnant) then it’s best to check with your medical professional team first.

1. Cinnamon

• Latin name: Cinnamomum verum
• Also known by: True cinnamon
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Sun
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Aphrodite, Venus
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Cinnamon sticks, powder
• Parts to use safely: Use in moderation to avoid skin irritation
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Cinnamon Protection Spell
• • On Samhain night, carve a protective symbol into a cinnamon stick.
  • Light the cinnamon stick and visualize a warm, protective energy surrounding you and your sacred space.
  • As it burns, chant your intentions for protection and warding off negativity.

2. Bay Leaf

• Latin name: Laurus nobilis
• Also known by: Sweet bay, laurel
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Sun
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Apollo, Aesculapius
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Whole bay leaves
• Parts to use safely: Leaves are safe; avoid ingesting whole leaves
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Bay Leaf Divination Spell (Dauphnomancy)
• • Write a question or intention on a bay leaf.
  • Light it on fire and allow it to burn in a fireproof bowl.
  • Watch the way it burns and the patterns of the smoke to receive divinatory insights.

3. Tobacco

• Latin name: Nicotiana tabacum
• Also known by: Backy
• Ruled by the element: Water
• Ruled by the planet: Moon
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Tezcatlipoca, Xochipilli, Loki, Anansi
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Dried tobacco leaves
• Parts to use safely: Use with caution, as tobacco is toxic; use smoke sparingly
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Tobacco Ancestral Offering
• • Roll a small amount of dried tobacco into a cigar or cigarette.
  • Light it and offer the smoke to your ancestors, speaking your intentions and gratitude for their guidance.

4. Rue

• Latin name: Ruta graveolens
• Also known by: Herb of grace
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Mars
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Diana, Aradia
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Dried rue leaves
• Parts to use safely: Use with caution; avoid contact with eyes and skin
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Rue Cleansing Bath
• • Brew a rue tea with dried leaves and strain it.
  • Add the strained tea to your bathwater to cleanse and purify your energy for Samhain rituals.

5. Vetiver

• Latin name: Chrysopogon zizanioides
• Also known by: Khus, Vetiver grass
• Ruled by the element: Earth
• Ruled by the planet: Venus
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Earth goddesses
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Vetiver roots, essential oil
• Parts to use safely: Use vetiver oil diluted on the skin
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Vetiver Grounding Spell
• • Anoint a black candle with vetiver oil and light it.
  • Sit quietly, inhaling the scent, and meditate to ground your energy and connect with the earth’s wisdom.

6. Clove

• Latin name: Syzygium aromaticum
• Also known by: Clove buds
• Ruled by the element: Fire and Air
• Ruled by the planet: Sun
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Jupiter, Hecate, Fortuna, Venus, Oya
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Clove buds, essential oil
• Parts to use safely: Use in moderation, as it can be overpowering
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Clove Protection Sachet
• • Create a small sachet using red fabric and fill it with dried cloves.
  • Carry this sachet with you during Samhain festivities for protection and luck.

7. Rosemary

• Latin name: Rosmarinus officinalis
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Sun
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Aphrodite, Apollo, Venus
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Rosemary sprigs, essential oil
• Parts to use safely: All parts are safe for use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Rosemary Memory Spell
• • Burn rosemary sprigs as incense while meditating on cherished memories and ancestral connections during Samhain.

8. Pumpkin

• Latin name: Cucurbita pepo (for pumpkins)
• Also known by: None but you can use Squash, Gourds, just the seeds etc
• Ruled by the element: Water
• Ruled by the planet: Moon
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Nicneven, Banbha, Bacchus, Pomona, Lugh
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Pumpkin seeds, pumpkin flesh
• Parts to use safely: All parts are safe for use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Pumpkin Seed Divination (Favomancy)
• • Clean and dry pumpkin seeds, then toss them like runes or tarot cards.
  • Interpret the patterns and positions to gain insights into the coming year.

9. Marigolds

• Latin name: Tagetes spp.
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Sun
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Lakshmi, Vishnu, Mictecacihuatl, Xochiquetzal, Hera, Aphrodite, Persephone
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Marigold flowers
• Parts to use safely: Flowers are safe to use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Marigold Ancestral Offering
• • Place marigold flowers on your ancestral altar as an offering, symbolizing the light of remembrance and connection to the past.

10. Chrysanthemums

• Latin name: Chrysanthemum spp.
• Also known by: Mums
• Ruled by the element: Earth
• Ruled by the planet: Sun
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Hua Hsien, Amaterasu, Demeter
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Chrysanthemum flowers
• Parts to use safely: Flowers are safe to use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Chrysanthemum Protection Spell
• • Place chrysanthemum flowers around your home or Samhain altar to ward off negative energies and invite protection.

11. Roses

• Latin name: Rosa spp.
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Water
• Ruled by the planet: Venus
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Aphrodite, Venus
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Rose petals, rose essential oil
• Parts to use safely: Petals are safe to use; use rose oil diluted on the skin
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Rose Love & Memory Spell
• • Place fresh rose petals on your Samhain altar to symbolize love, remembrance, and honoring those who have passed.

12. Mugwort

• Latin name: Artemisia vulgaris
• Also known by: Cronewort, witch’s herb
• Ruled by the element: Air
• Ruled by the planet: Moon
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Artemis, Hecate
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Mugwort leaves, dried herb
• Parts to use safely: Leaves and dried herb are safe to use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Mugwort Dreamwork
• • Place a mugwort sachet under your pillow on Samhain to enhance dreams and connect with the spirit realm.

13. Wormwood

• Latin name: Artemisia absinthium
• Also known by: Absinthe wormwood
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Mars
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Hecate, Diana, Circe
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Wormwood leaves, dried herb
• Parts to use safely: Use with caution; avoid ingesting large quantities
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Wormwood Protection Infusion
• • Brew a tea with dried wormwood leaves and use it to purify your ritual tools or sacred space during Samhain preparations.

14. Oak (Acorns)

• Latin name: Quercus spp.
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Earth
• Ruled by the planet: Sun
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Dagda, Herne, Oak King
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Acorns, oak leaves
• Parts to use safely: Acorns and oak leaves are safe for use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Oak Blessing for Strength
• • Collect an acorn and bless it under the Samhain moon, invoking the strength and stability of the oak tree for the coming year.

15. Mushrooms

• Latin name: Various species
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Earth
• Ruled by the planet: Earth
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Pasithea, Baba Yaga, Piltzintechutli, Robigus, Gerda, Herne, Cernunnos
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Various parts, depending on the species
• Parts to use safely: Use with caution; identify and use edible species only
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Mushroom Nature Spirit Connection
• • If you find edible mushrooms in your area, gather them on Samhain to connect with the spirit of the land and nature.

16. Maple

• Latin name: Acer spp. (various species)
• Also known by: Acer
• Ruled by the element: Water
• Ruled by the planet: Jupiter
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Ares, Phobos, Dana/Danu
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Maple leaves, seeds (helicopter seeds)
• Parts to use safely: Leaves and seeds are safe to use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Maple Leaf Divination
• • Collect fallen maple leaves and use them for divination or scrying during your Samhain rituals, seeking guidance from nature.

17. Nutmeg

• Latin name: Myristica fragrans
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Jupiter
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Cerridwen, Lugh, Danu, Kali, Lakshmi, Krishna, Oya, Durga, Jupiter, Zeus
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Nutmeg seeds, ground nutmeg
• Parts to use safely: Use in moderation; excessive consumption can be toxic
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Nutmeg Ancestral Connection
• • Grate a small amount of nutmeg and sprinkle it around your Samhain altar to invoke ancestral spirits and memories.

18. Black Pepper

• Latin name: Piper nigrum
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Mars
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Hecate
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Black peppercorns, ground pepper
• Parts to use safely: Use in moderation; it can be spicy and heating
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Black Pepper Protection Charm
• • Fill a small cloth bag with black peppercorns and carry it as a protective amulet during Samhain festivities.

19. Apple

• Latin name: Malus domestica (common apple)
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Water
• Ruled by the planet: Venus
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Aphrodite, Hera, Pomona
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Apple fruit, apple seeds
• Parts to use safely: Fruit is safe; avoid ingesting large quantities of seeds
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Apple Divination
• • Cut an apple horizontally to reveal the star-shaped core. Use this as a scrying tool for Samhain insights.

20. Pomegranate

• Latin name: Punica granatum
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Water
• Ruled by the planet: Venus
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Persephone, Demeter, Hades, Pluto, Kore
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Pomegranate seeds, juice
• Parts to use safely: Seeds and juice are safe for use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Pomegranate Ancestral Connection
• • Share pomegranate seeds with your ancestors as an offering and to strengthen your connection with them during Samhain.

21. Silver Sage

• Latin name: Salvia argentea
• Also known by: Silver Clary, Silver Salvia
• Ruled by the element: Earth
• Ruled by the planet: Venus
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Selene, Apollo, Athena, Sarasvati, Zeus, and Jupiter
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Silver sage leaves
• Parts to use safely: Leaves are safe for use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Silver Sage Protection Spell
• • Place silver sage leaves in a small sachet and carry it for protection against negative energies during Samhain rituals.

22. Rowan (Berries)

• Latin name: Sorbus aucuparia
• Also known by: Mountain ash
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Sun
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Brigid, Thor
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Rowan berries, leaves, branches
• Parts to use safely: Berries and leaves are safe to use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Rowan Berry Warding Charm
• • String rowan berries and hang them above your doorway to ward off negative influences during Samhain.

23. Sandalwood

• Latin name: Santalum album
• Also known by: Indian None
• Ruled by the element: Air
• Ruled by the planet: Moon
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Lakshmi
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Sandalwood chips, essential oil
• Parts to use safely: Use sandalwood oil diluted on the skin
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Sandalwood Ancestral Connection
• • Anoint a white candle with sandalwood oil and light it during your Samhain ritual to enhance your connection with your ancestors

24. Mandrake Root

• Latin name: Mandragora officinarum
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Earth
• Ruled by the planet: Mercury
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Circe, Hecate
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Mandrake root
• Parts to use safely: Use with extreme caution; it can be toxic and hallucinogenic
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Mandrake Dreamwalk
• • Place a mandrake root on your nightstand during Samhain to promote lucid dreaming and spiritual insights.

25. Thistle

• Latin name: Various species (e.g., Cirsium vulgare)
• Also known by: Scottish Thistle
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Mars
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Most celtic deities
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Thistle flowers, thistle seeds
• Parts to use safely: Flowers and seeds are safe to use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Thistle Barrier Spell
• • Carry thistle seeds in a small pouch to create a protective barrier against negative energies during Samhain rituals.

26. Broom

21. • Latin name: Cytisus scoparius (common broom)
    • Also known by: Scotch broom
    • Ruled by the element: Water
    • Ruled by the planet: Mercury
    • Ruled by or associated with the deity: Most celtic deities
    • Parts you can use in witchcraft: Broom twigs, broomstick
    • Parts to use safely: All parts are safe for use
    • Recommended spell use for Samhain: Broomstick Purification
    • • Sweep the area where you’ll perform your Samhain ritual with a broomstick to spiritually cleanse and prepare the space.

27. Cedar

• Latin name: Cedrus spp. (various species)
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Sun
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Artemis, Diana of the Wood
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Cedar wood, cedar essential oil
• Parts to use safely: Use cedar oil diluted on the skin
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Cedar Smudging Ritual
• • Burn cedar twigs or use cedar smudge sticks to cleanse and purify your energy and space before Samhain rituals.

28. Witch Hazel

• Latin name: Hamamelis virginiana
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Water
• Ruled by the planet: Mercury
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Dali, Circe, Hekate
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Witch hazel bark, witch hazel extract
• Parts to use safely: All parts are safe for use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Witch Hazel Divination
• • Apply witch hazel extract to a divination tool (e.g., tarot cards) to enhance your intuitive abilities during Samhain readings.

29. Garlic

• Latin name: Allium sativum
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Mars
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Hecate, Osiris, Bastet and Zeus Casius
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Garlic bulbs, garlic cloves
• Parts to use safely: All parts are safe for use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Garlic Protection Charm
• • Hang garlic bulbs in your home or over doorways on a witches ladder to ward off negative energies during Samhain.

30. Onion

• Latin name: Allium cepa
• Also known by: None
• Ruled by the element: Fire
• Ruled by the planet: Mars
• Ruled by or associated with the deity: Osiris, Bastet and Zeus Casius
• Parts you can use in witchcraft: Onion bulbs, onion slices
• Parts to use safely: All parts are safe for use
• Recommended spell use for Samhain: Onion Banishing Spell
• • Slice an onion and place it in a dish of salt to absorb negative energies. Dispose of the onion away from your home after Samhain.