Herbs for Protection

Protection is the most common reason people reach for a crystal or herb. Protective stones and plants are used to shield a person, a home or a car from harm, bad luck and draining energy — often dark stones like obsidian and black tourmaline, and sharp-scented herbs like rosemary, rue and garlic.

73 herbs for protection

Aloe Vera herb

Aloe Vera

Used in protection spells to ward off negative energy.

Angelica herb

Angelica

Burned as incense for purification and protection rituals.

Anise herb

Anise

Burned as incense for purification and protection

Ashwagandha herb

Ashwagandha

Burning in rituals for protection and grounding

Basil herb

Basil

Protection spells to ward off negative energies

Bay Leaf herb

Bay Leaf

Burned for purification and protection rituals

Birch herb

Birch

Creating wands or staffs for purification and protection rituals

Black Cohosh herb

Black Cohosh

Used in protection spells to ward off negative energy.

Calendula herb

Calendula

Incorporated into protection spells to ward off negativity

Catnip herb

Catnip

Enhancing psychic abilities during meditation

Chamomile herb

Chamomile

Sprinkled around homes or workplaces to ward off negative energy.

Cinnamon herb

Cinnamon

Protection spells and wards

Cinquefoil herb

Cinquefoil

Carried in sachets for protection against negative energies.

Clove herb

Clove

Burned as incense for protection and cleansing rituals.

Comfrey herb

Comfrey

Placed in travel pouches or charms for protection during journeys.

Dill herb

Dill

Used in protection spells to ward off negative energy.

Elderberry herb

Elderberry

Banishing negative energy

Elderflower herb

Elderflower

Enhancing dreams and psychic abilities

Eucalyptus herb

Eucalyptus

Burning eucalyptus leaves for purification and protection rituals.

Fennel herb

Fennel

Used in sachets or charms for protection against negativity and evil spirits.

Feverfew herb

Feverfew

Used in protection spells to ward off harm and misfortune.

Frankincense herb

Frankincense

Included in protection spells to ward off negativity

Garlic herb

Garlic

Garlic symbolizes protection, strength, and purification. It is often seen as a barrier against malevolent forces and…

Geranium herb

Geranium

Used in love spells to attract romantic energy.

Goldenrod herb

Goldenrod

Strengthening protection spells

Hawthorn herb

Hawthorn

Hawthorn symbolizes protection, balance, and the connection between the human and spirit realms. It often represents…

Horehound herb

Horehound

Used in protection spells to repel negative influences.

Hydrangea herb

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas symbolize gratitude, abundance, and heartfelt emotions. Depending on the color of the blooms, they can also…

Hyssop herb

Hyssop

Hyssop symbolizes purification, repentance, and spiritual renewal. It has been considered sacred in many spiritual…

Juniper herb

Juniper

Juniper symbolizes protection, strength, and purification. It is often seen as a guardian plant that wards off harmful…

Lavender herb

Lavender

Burned as an incense for purification and protection rituals.

Lemon herb

Lemon

Lemon symbolizes purification, clarity, and the dispelling of negativity. Its bright yellow color is associated with…

Lemon Grass herb

Lemon Grass

Incorporated into dream work to enhance psychic visions.

Licorice herb

Licorice

Burned as incense for protection and purification.

Marigold herb

Marigold

Used in protection spells to ward off negativity.

Marjoram herb

Marjoram

Carried as an amulet for protection and to ward off negativity

Milk Thistle herb

Milk Thistle

Used in protection spells to guard against negative energies or psychic attacks.

Mint herb

Mint

Protection spells to ward off negativity

Morning Glory herb

Morning Glory

Employed in protection charms to ward off negative energies.

Motherwort herb

Motherwort

Used in protection spells for mothers or children.

Mugwort herb

Mugwort

Enhancing psychic vision during divination

Mullein herb

Mullein

Used in protection spells and to ward off negative energies.

Nettle herb

Nettle

Warding off negative energy

Oregano herb

Oregano

Burned as an incense for protection and purification.

Orris Root herb

Orris Root

Burned as incense to enhance psychic abilities and divination practices.

Parsley herb

Parsley

Parsley symbolizes renewal, protection, and vitality. It is often associated with the cycle of life and death, making…

Patchouli herb

Patchouli

Providing personal protection and warding off negativity

Peppermint herb

Peppermint

Peppermint symbolizes clarity, renewal, and protection. It is often associated with fresh starts and the clearing away…

Pine herb

Pine

Use pine cones as charms for protection and abundance.

Primrose herb

Primrose

Placed around the home for protection and harmony

Rose Petal herb

Rose Petal

Rose petals symbolize love, passion, and purity. They are also associated with balance, as roses have both delicate…

Rosemary herb

Rosemary

Burned as incense to cleanse spaces of negative energy

Rue herb

Rue

Warding off negative energy or curses

Sage herb

Sage

Burned as a smudge stick to cleanse spaces, objects, or people of negative energy.

Sandalwood herb

Sandalwood

Added to sachets or charm bags for protection

Slippery Elm herb

Slippery Elm

Slippery elm symbolizes resilience, protection, and nurturing. Its soft, slippery inner bark is seen as a symbol of…

Spearmint herb

Spearmint

Spearmint symbolizes clarity of thought, vitality, and the renewal of energy. It is also seen as a harbinger of…

St. John's Wort herb

St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort symbolizes protection, illumination, and the triumph of light over darkness. It is also associated…

Sunflower herb

Sunflower

Placed in the home for protection against negative energies.

Tarragon herb

Tarragon

Used in protection spells to ward off negativity.

Tea Tree herb

Tea Tree

Cleansing rituals to remove negative energy from spaces, objects, or people

Thistle herb

Thistle

Thistle symbolizes resilience, protection, and the ability to thrive in challenging environments. It is also seen as a…

Thyme herb

Thyme

Burned as incense for purification and protection rituals

Tulsi herb

Tulsi

Used in protection sachets or charms

Turmeric herb

Turmeric

Creating protection sachets or charms to ward off negativity

Valerian Root herb

Valerian Root

Used in protection spells to ward off negative energies.

Vervain herb

Vervain

Vervain symbolizes purification, spiritual connection, and the bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. It is…

Violet herb

Violet

Burned or carried for protection against negative energies.

Willow herb

Willow

Willow symbolizes adaptability, intuition, and the cyclical nature of life. It is also a representation of feminine…

Witch Hazel herb

Witch Hazel

Banishing negative energy from a space

Wood Betony herb

Wood Betony

Protection spells to ward off evil spirits or negative energy

Wormwood herb

Wormwood

Burned as incense to enhance divination and psychic abilities.

Yarrow herb

Yarrow

Aiding in divination or psychic work

How to use herbs for protection

  • Sew or tie a pinch into a sachet or charm bag and carry it, or hang it by the door.
  • Burn dried herbs as incense or a smoke bundle — with a window open.
  • Scatter them across a threshold, add them to a ritual bath, or roll a candle in them.
  • Never eat or drink an herb for magic without checking it’s safe — several here are toxic or unsafe in pregnancy.

Spells to use them in

Prefer working with stones? See crystals for protection.