The elder was one of the holiest trees in the eyes of the ancient Germanic Heathens. In various parts of England and Denmark, to cut down an Elder, one had to ask permission of Lady Ellhorn or Hylde-Moer (whom some believe to be the German goddess Holde herself). To fail to ask permission and offer another tree or gift in return was to incur the wrath of the Huldru-folk or the Elle (people of the elder). In fact, the normally loving goddess Holda as Lady Ellhorn was said to kill babies whose cribs were made of its wood. Any follower of Asatru or Heathen needs to make sure to make an offering to the tree before taking any branch. However, if taken properly, the elder could lend its powers to all sorts of uses. The elder has been attributed with revealing evil wights, bringing ghosts or little folk into a house (if the elder branch or leaf is brought inside), and warding against all kinds of fiends. Even its berries were thought powerful for a circle of them was thought to a quite powerful warding circle. Elder tea was once thought good for headaches and the juice of the berries was used to treat toothaches. The leaves were once used to treat burns. The berries can also be made into wine or jams, while the dried leaves were once soaked in vinegar to flavor it. féoh, Thorn, and Eolh-secg are good runes to use with the elder.
Elfdock/Elecampane/Horse Heal Inula helenium
Elfdock is one of the Elvenkind's favorite plant and it is said if one wishes to gain their favor, they should leave the roots by a patch of elfdock. However, the plant also works against the Elves, because folklore also holds that one can overcome Elven magic by stabbing the root of the plant with a knife. According to some sources, elfdock can be a guide to wisdom and magic lore if used properly. The roots were formerly used to heal skin disorders, and in mead or beer to give it a pleasant odour. Good runes to use with Elfdock might be Os, Wynn, Eh, and Sigel.
Elm/Elven Ulmus campestris
Embla, the first woman was made from an Elm, and given the three gifts of wod, divine breath, and form by Woden, Willa, and Wéoh (Odin, Villi, and Vé). Therefore the elm symbolizes the feminine principal in life. It is said to be a favorite tree of Elves and they are said to gather beneath its limbs often. The elm was also said to ward against lightning, and to be a storehouse of ancient wisdom. It makes a powerful love charm when combined with ash. The leaves of the elm were once used in poultices to reduce swelling, and on open wounds to help heal them. Wynn, Giefu, and Géar are good runes to use with elm.
Fir
Fir boughs are common Yule tide decoration, and it is favored among many for the Yule tree. Its wood also often found use as the Yule log, although usually it was beat out by beech or oak for this use. The fir is an evergreen and is strongly linked to the idea of immortality. One of the Anglo-Roman altars at Hadrians Wall has a representation of a fir tree. This altar was dedicated to the Mothers' cult, and may show a link between the Mothers and the Anglo-Saxon Modraniht (Yule eve) mentioned by Bede. It was once believed in Germany, that if one had the gout, they could get rid of it by going to a fir tree after sunset and saying a charm on three Fridays in a row.
Flax/Dis Linum usitatissimum
Flax was considered hallowed to the German goddess Holda, whom Grimm identified with Frige (Frigg), and other goddesses linked to spinning and weaving. Flax has close ties to household affairs, and is thought to promote prosperity and fertility, as well as beauty. Naturally, flax came to symbolize the successful marriage of true love and troth. In the Middle Ages, its leaves and blooms were worn by single wermen and women. If the leaves and blooms didn't wilt, it meant you were to meet your true love. The Unholden (evil wights believed by the Germans of the Middle Ages to oppose Frau Holda) fear the sight of flax and its product linen, and won't go near either. Tea was once made from flax seed to purify the blood, and poultices made from crushed seeds was thought to fight inflammation. Good runes to use with Flax may be Os, Giefu, Beorc, and Ing.
Garlic Allium sativum
Garlic literally means the "spear leek," named so for its stalk that grows straight up from the root. Garlic is hallowed to Thunor (Thor), and symbolized courage, strength, and rapid growth. It was a wort eaten by warriors for courage and hung over doors to keep away evil. Like any other plant held holy by Thunor (Thor), it kept one safe from lightning. Throughout the Middle Ages, garlic was used as a cure all in a variety of ways. Modern research has confirmed that garlic contains allicin and sulfur, two in antibiotics today. Garlic is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent and should be eaten by anyone fighting an infection. Powered allum (an extract of Garlic) is useful in healing cold sores. Thorn and Lagu are good runes to use with garlic.
Hawthorn Crataegus oxyacantha
According to folklore, Thunor (Thor) created the Hawthorn in a bolt of lightning, and such being so, it was said to protect against lightning, storms at sea, and unwanted wights. It was said to keep women looking youthful, and was one of the nine woods used in funeral pyres. Its flowers were displayed on W‘lburges, and used in wreathes at that time. A decoction of the flowers and berries was once used as a cough syrup, and the flowers soaked in wine were once given to ease stomach pain. Good runes to use with hawthorn might be Os, Thorn, and Cén. It must be pointed out that the "Thorn" of the Old English rune poem may refer to the hawthorn and be sort of a kenning for Thunor (Thor).
Hazel
Like the hawthorn, rowan, and oak, the hazel was hallowed to Thunor (Thor), and its wood may have once been used for rune lots. The nidhstong set up by Egil Skallagrimsson against Eirikr Bloodaxe and Queen Gunnhild was made of hazel, and hazel remains a favorite for divining rods to this day. The leaves, nuts, and branches were used in marriage processions during the Middle Ages. Good runes to use with Hazel may be Thorn, Giefu, and Eh.
Holly Ilex aquilfolium
Forever linked to Yule, it was once believed that holly harvested on the Twelfth Night protected one from evil wights. Holly remains a favorite Yule time decoration, and as such is symbolic of steadfastness, rebirth, and renewal. Good runes to use with holly might be Os and Beorc. Note: holly berries are extremely poisonous, so by no means try to eat them or use them in any form of herbal remedy.
Houseleek/Thorsbeard/Thunderbeard Sem pervivum tectorum
The houseleek like most leeks has a lot in common with garlic, and can be interchanged fro magical purposes. Houseleeks were planted on roof tops to defend against lightning, and was thought to keep away all kinds of woecraft and evil wights. The juice of the houseleek was thought to be good for burns. Thorn and Laaguz are good runes to use with the houseleek.
Juniper Juniperus communis
This evergreen like the oak is hallowed to Thunor (Thor), and according to several Icelandic tales cannot be mixed with rowan (another tree favored by the thunder god), or a too much heat will be generated. The juniper was thought capable of restoring life, and its oil had a variety of uses in elixirs and poultices. It also makes a very good incense. Thorn and K‚n are good runes to use with juniper.
Lilly-of-the-Valley/Mayflower/Freya's Tears* GENUS:Convallaria
According
to Norwegian folklore, the Mayflower was created when a goddess (Freo,
Frige, or others dependent on locale) found winter so bleak that she
tore up her green dress and with a handful of snow created these
flowers. It is thought unlucky to transplant these flowers (as it is
with many plants seen as belonging to a deity), but in some areas they
were gathered to pay rent or for W‘lburges decorations.Mayflowers
were thought to strengthen the mind and clear one's complexion. Feoh
and Os, are good runes to use with Mayflowers.
*Adapted after the name "Our Lady's Tears"
Linden GENUS:Tilia
Linden trees were known for their wood which made such fine shields and bucklers, that the name of the tree, linden came to mean also "shield." Thus "under linden" in old Germanic poetry meant to be behind a shield. Such qualities make it a tree of protection and defense. In Sweden, magistrates passed judgment under its limbs, and the linden was thought to house the home's domestic spirits. Germany, though had the linden a home of dwarves, where it was also thought of as a tree of immortality. As a tree of judgment, it is probably hallowed to Tiw (Tyr), and the painting of the rune Tiw on linden shields makes such a thought plausible. Good runes to use with linden may be Eolh-secg and Tiw.
Herb & Wort Lore A-B
Herb & Wort Lore C-D
Herb & Wort Lore M-S
Herb & Wort Lore T-Z