The following are 10 herbs that you should consider keeping on your altar to help add magickal properties to spells and rituals. All of them have been used in magick since ancient times, and they all have unique powers that can be put to great use in spellwork. Although you might not have easy access to every herb listed here, even one or two of these herbs will work wonders when incorporated into your rituals! Best of all, they are inexpensive to buy online if you don’t have any herbalists in your town or village.

1) Basil
A powerful purifier, basil is known to cleanse not only negative energies but also substances like tobacco. An earthy herb, basil works well in love spells, especially if you need your partner to let go of bad habits that are hurting their health or yours. It’s a popular herb for cleansing charms as well as healing magick and banishing hexes. Simply burn a pinch of dried basil as incense at each quarter while performing a spell to remove negativity from your home or self. If you wish to be rid of an unhealthy relationship, place fresh basil under your pillow or sprinkle dried basil powder around your house overnight for a powerful banishing spell.

2) Lavender
Lavender is well known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and calming properties. This potent herb is often associated with relaxation, meditation, and creativity. The scent of lavender is said to stimulate your third eye, so it’s great for divination. Lavender also protects against dark magic, helps to strengthen relationships, and opens up lines of communication in relationships where they have previously been blocked. While you can use fresh lavender in spells or sachets, dried lavender has a more concentrated fragrance that can be used in larger quantities without becoming overpowering.

3) Rosemary
Rosemary is a herb of remembrance, so it’s commonly used in spells to strengthen relationships. Rosemary can also help you remember information that’s important to your spell work. If you’re having trouble remembering what you need to do, try hanging rosemary near your altar or burning some as incense. While rosemary is commonly associated with lovers and romantic love, it’s also said to attract good friends—or return lost ones! Add rosemary to wish candles for fast results! To enhance your mind and memory, sprinkle rosemary over cornmeal before baking it into bread.

4) Thyme
Thyme is one of my favorite herbs to keep on my altar. It’s great for money magic and can be used in many spells where you want to add passion and energy. There are different varieties, such as lemon thyme and caraway thyme, but it’s important to remember that thyme is a common herb so if you pick some up from your local grocery store, it may not be exactly what you had in mind. If you grow your own or buy dried thyme online, though, there’s little chance of getting something other than what you wanted.

5) Patchouli
Since ancient times, patchouli has been used for its calming properties. While not proven by science, many believe it can be used to repel negativity, which makes it a good herb to burn as incense before spells that require protection. Patchouli is also said to bring luck and wealth—which is perhaps why you’ll find it in so many commercial products. If you’re looking for a bit of fun in your home or office space, consider placing some patchouli leaves into sachets or hidden pockets around your area.

6) Peppermint
In spellwork, peppermint is a fantastic herb to work with. Peppermint’s strongest magickal purpose is in spells of prosperity. On your altar, you can grow a peppermint plant or simply keep a bowl of dried peppermint leaves. Place a few leaves under your pillow while you sleep and carry a small bag of dried mint around with you during times when you’re trying to attract new business opportunities into your life.

7) Honeysuckle
This sweet-smelling flower is beloved by deities like Aphrodite and Pan. It symbolizes happiness, light, love, and beauty. Honeysuckle can be used in any spell or ritual for luck or to draw success your way. If you want to align yourself with good fortune, grow some honeysuckle outside your home! Even if you don’t have a green thumb, it should do just fine. The scent of honeysuckle is said to invite an influx of positive energy into your home or workspace—it can also be worn as a fragrance for protection during your travels.

8) Jasmine
It has been cultivated for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, perfume-makers would place jasmine flowers in their beards while mixing fragrances, believing that it could help them compose better scents. In India, jasmine was used to aid a seductive ploy: milk mixed with a few drops of jasmine extract is said to have attracted many a husband to his wife’s bed! If you want love, placing a few dried or fresh jasmine blossoms in your underwear drawer will help draw someone special into your life. Try tucking some under your pillow before you go to sleep.

9) Sandalwood
Since ancient times, sandalwood has been considered sacred. In Hinduism, it is believed to help with spiritual purification. Sandalwood incense is often used during meditations and religious ceremonies because of its calming scent. It’s also associated with peace and tranquility, as well as love and intimacy. Thus, it’s a good idea to burn sandalwood before going out on a date or having a romantic encounter with your loved one—it will make you more attractive and help you feel more sensual. As an added bonus, sandalwood promotes spirituality by keeping evil spirits at bay! With all these benefits combined, it’s easy to see why keeping sandalwood close by makes sense.

10) Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal is a mint-family herb that smells like spearmint and has a history of use in herbal medicine. However, pennyroyal is toxic and should never be ingested. This herb works well for protection magic and can be burnt as incense to rid a space of negativity. Use pennyroyal leaves in conjunction with vervain to strengthen your powers of divination; place both herbs under your pillow before engaging in any form of scrying or clairvoyance work.