Almost everyone has a basic knowledge of herbs, but that doesn't mean they don't sometimes forget things or get information wrong. With this in mind, this chapter covers twenty herbs that almost everyone has heard of, and their basic properties.

Apple Also known as the Fruit of the Gods, Fruit of the Underworld, and the Silver Bough, this plant's properties are love, healing, garden magic, and immortality. Apple has long been a main ingredient of many love potions and is also used as an inflammatory agent in healing potions.

Bay: Also known as laurel, bay is an herb long used for its properties of protection, aiding psychic powers, healing, purification, and strength. It is mainly used in purifying draughts and for ensuring protection, though it is also often used in strengthening solutions, for both the sick and those whose line of work is rather dangerous.

Burdock: Another potent herb for protection and healing, this herb is known mainly for its taste when mixed with dandelion. 

Chamomile: Both German and Roman chamomile are vital ingredients in sleeping draughts, but a lesser-known fact about Roman chamomile is that it is used in most major potions to remove spells and curses from the body. Due to this, many magical hospitals grow chamomile on the property.

Dittany: There are two main types of dittany, dittany of Crete and white dittany, both of which are used in healing potions. Dittany of Crete is known to be good for stomachaches or complaints of the digestive system, whilst white dittany secretes oil that has anti-inflammatory properties. This oil is what healers refer to when they talk of the dittany that is to be used to prevent scarring. 

Flax: Flax seeds are often used in money spells, to either attract money or ward off poverty, although they are also included in some healing mixtures, and when mixed with red pepper can be used in creating protection wards around the home. A potion made from the blue flowers can also aid protection against sorcery of evil intent.

Garlic: Also known as stinkweed, this herb was traditionally used in the Middle Ages to guard against the plague. Since then garlic has been found to be an invaluable ingredient in any healing potion due to its many medicinal properties. Due to this, it's also thought to be very good for protection.

Ginger: Ginger is mainly used in love spells, although it also has the properties of success and power, which is why it is also used in brews such as the Wit-Sharpening Potion. 

Hops: Hops is a very simple plant with two main uses, sleep and healing. As the two go together in most cases hops is a much-used ingredient by healers and their suppliers.

Iris: Iris is an ingredient of many purification draughts, for both the body and the home, however it can also be used for wisdom and so is often used in potions that give the drinker a clear mind.

Lavender: Lavender, also known as elf leaf and nard, has long been used to attract love, either in love potions or worn on the person. Because some of its properties include purification, happiness and peace, it is easy to see why it is often included in love potions. Lavender is also an excellent ingredient for sleeping potions, and can also be used in cooking.

Liquorice: Liquorice is another simple herb, used only in love potions.

Lily: This herb, unlike the previous two, is used for protection and in potions for breaking love spells.

Nettle: Nettle is known for its protective powers, which is why it is often used in potions to strip curses from the body. It also has healing properties which are used in potions to cure minor injuries, such as the boil-cure potion.

Peppermint: Also known as brandy mint and lammint, peppermint has long been used in healing lotions and potions. It also has a long history of use in protection spells and wards. Fresh peppermint can aid sleep.

Poppy: The seeds and flowers of the poppy plant are most often used in sleeping aids.

Rosemary: Rosemary is used in cleaning and purifying potions and to rid someone or something of negativity or dark magic. It can also be used in healing and sleeping draughts, and one of its properties is protection, so some believe that if used in a sleeping potion it will keep you safe until you wake. 

Saffron: Also known as crocus, saffron can be added to love potions, but its main use is in healing elixirs and as a colouring in cooking. Drinking and infusion of saffron is meant to help with divination.

Sage: Sage’s properties include protection, longevity, wisdom, protection and wishes, which is why it is used in countless healing and luck potions.

Valerian: This rather ill smelling root is used in protection spells and sachets, as well as in potions to induce sleep. It can also be used in some love potions and in the past was hung to ward away evil.