Sage
Seen as a lucky plant generally. Eating this on nine consecutive mornings was said to relieve the ague but only if you were also fasting so it was believed in southern England. It was also once believed to provide a cure for asthma when the dried leaves were smoked in a pipe whilst fresh leaves rubbed on the gums would clean and strengthen the teeth and gums. The herb comes in many colours and has a spicy fragrance and purplish flowers. Reputed to have many healing properties its botanical name comes from the Latin 'salvere' meaning 'to save'. Used to relieve sore throats, gums, typhoid fever, measles etc...you name it, this plant was believed to have extremely powerful magical qualities that most ailments were treated with it (which were also reputed to work successfully).

Snowdrop
Often seen as an omen of death despite its beauty. Whilst it symbolises purity, it is said to be unlucky to bring the flower into the house if someone in the household is ill.

Sow Thistle
Thought to possess strong protective qualities against witchcraft. Wearing a sprig of this in your buttonhole will increase your stamina, and prevent you ever feeling tired. When boiled in water, it is said to be therapeutic for the eyes to relieve soreness.

Spearmint
Reputed to heal chapped hands, this plant has long spikes of lilac flowers in the summer. 'Mentha' its generic name is derived from ancient Greek mythology when Mentha was a nymph metamorphosed into the plant we now call mint. Introduced to America by the Pilgrim Fathers.

St. John's Wort
In order to avoid having the flowers picked it was believed that this plant could move about! Hanging bunches of these flowers though once caught would ward off evil spirits if placed above a door. It is a golden flower and was the emblem of the sun god in pagan times (particularly at Midsummer). Originally known as the 'sun god's flower' the Christians dedicated Midsummer to St. John the Baptist and renamed the plant St. John's Wort.

Southernwood
Representing fidelity it was often used in country bouquets for sweethearts and was also known as 'Lad's Love', 'Boy's Love' and 'Old Man'. Reputed to ward off evil spirits and infection it was once heavily used as an antiseptic. It has grey-green feathery leaves with a lemon scent and has small yellow flowers. once used as a hair tonic for curing baldness. The ointment was reputed to stimulate beard growth.