Roots and herbs are an integral part of the rituals and spells of Hoodoo and Rootwork. Every herb and root has a medicinal and a magical property of some sort that becomes the main ingredient to help your ritual or spell to succeed. These powerful plants are some of nature’s most incredible gifts. These are 20 of the most widely used and well-known herbs and roots used in spell work.

Ruda.The Ruda plant is widely held to be a Magical herb. Many people carry a pinch of Ruda in a cloth bag or place it above the front door to ward off the evil eye. Some folks make a tea of Ruda and sprinkle it around the home for protection or bathe in it to break spells. This herb can also be used to make a powerful love spell.

Wormwood. Burn the Wormwood herb in your home over charcoal to remove any hexes or curses. Carry in vehicle to protect from accidents on dangerous roads. Use as incense for clairvoyance, to summon spirits, or to enhance divinatory abilities.

Mugwort. Make the Mugwort leaves into a tea to wash your crystals. This will remove any jinx the crystal has picked up and will add strength to it. It can also be burned on top of charcoal before crystal gazing. Place the Mugwort herb in your shoes to produce energy and vitality.

Angelica Root. Sprinkle the Angelica Root (also known as Archangel) in the four corners of your house, at the entryways and on the window panes to ward off evil. You may also add Angelica to your bath to remove any hexes or curses that have been placed on you.

Bloodroot. Burn or carry a piece of the bloodroot in a red flannel bag to aid in protecting against hexes. Additionally burn as an incense or carry the root with you if someone is trying to take your husband or lover. This root can also be carried to attract a new lover. Place in windows and doorways to keep curses and evil spirits out. A favorite root for use in voodoo to defeat hexes and spells aimed against you.

Patchouli. Patchouli is used in spells, sachets, baths and mixtures for money and love. Put in your wallet or purse to draw money. Place in a charm, mojo bag or use in incense for fertility. Helps to ground you and bring your consciousness back to the physical level. Burn to increase the success of your business.

Boneset. This herb is frequently used in exorcisms. Rub the Boneset leaves on the body of the possessed and then burn the leaves outside. Sprinkle an infusion of Boneset around the home to rid it of evil and negativity.

Comfrey Leaves. Magical uses include money and safety during travel. Use for workings involving stability, endurance, and matters relating to real estate or property. To make a business trip profitable, brew Comfrey Leaves into a tea and sprinkle it on your luggage before departure. Rub some Comfrey on your wallet to help you hold on to your money.

Devil's Shoestring. Use Devil's Shoestring root in spells of protection, luck, attracting a new raise or job and giving control over opposite sex. Carry in your pocket while seeking employment, if you are having problems at work, or if you are asking for a raise.

Galangal Root/Chewing John. To reverse the effect of a hex and cause harm to the one who cursed you, chew on a piece of Chewing John while concentrating on your wish or desire, then spit it out. Carry for protection, to improve psychic abilities and to bring good health. Carry to court to make the judge or jury feel favorably inclined toward you. Wrap money around the root and it will multiply threefold. Burn for fourteen days before a court case, saving the ashes and bringing them to court in a green mojo bag for luck.

Ginger Root. This root is known to draw adventure and new experiences. It promotes sensuality, sexuality, personal confidence, prosperity, and success. Ginger root is also known to improve the strength and speed of any mixture of which it is a part. Place in an amulet, mojo or medicine bag to promote good health and protection. Ginger root in the form of a human is a very powerful magical token.

High John the Conqueror Root. The most famous of all Voodoo roots. Carry High John the Conqueror Root with you at all times to help remove and conqueror all obstacles in your path. Carry in a green mojo bag for good luck, money drawing and power over others. It is used for drawing luck, gaining mastery, and strengthening the libido of men. The chips of the root can be made into a dressing oil, and incorporated into sachet powders, incense, and crystals for bath or floor wash.

Queen Elizabeth Root. Also known as Orris Root, it can be used to attract men and to cause them to love you. Used to bring love, romance, companionship and a loving mate, it is often called 'Love Drawing Powder' in voodoo/hoodoo. Add to sachets and sprinkle on sheets and around the house to draw or hold love. Place a pinch in the corners of the room to open a new love. Use in bath magic to attract the opposite sex.

Calamus Root. This powerful controlling root is popular in Voodoo because of its strength. Add power to any hexing, controlling or dominating spell by burning Calamus Root as an incense during rituals. Place in corners of the kitchen to prevent hunger and poverty. Use to strengthen and bind spells.

Hyssop. This purification herb is used for cleansing yourself or your home, to put an end to crossed conditions, to take off a jinx, or break a hex. All participants in any ritual ceremony should add Hyssop tea to their bathwater to purify, cleanse and remove all negativity prior to beginning spiritual work.

Five Finger Grass. This herb brings success in all the things that five fingers can do, and is used to get others to do you favors. To remove stubborn curses that have been place upon you, take a bath in the Five Finger Grass tea for nine consecutive days. Also place the Five Finger Grass Herb in a red mojo bag for prosperity and good luck.

Licorice Root. Licorice root will help you gain power over others and control them; it is also used to change someone's mind. Use a piece of tin foil 8 inch square and on top of it put one piece of licorice and some Controlling powder, write the person's name on a piece of Sheepskin Parchment Paper seven times with Dove's Blood Ink. Fold the tin foil and bury on the person's property or near their place of employment.

Parsley Leaves. Use Parsley leaves to calm and protect your home. They are known to draw prosperity, financial gain and luck. Use in spells to increase strength and vitality after surgery or illness. Use in amulets or other magical workings to help yourself out of a rut. Eat to provoke lust and promote fertility. Place on plates of food to guard against contamination. Mix with jasmine and carry in your shoe to make you more attractive to the opposite sex.

Marjoram Leaves. Marjoram protects the home or business from evil influences or jinx. Place under your pillow to bring revealing dreams. Place in the corners of the home for protection. Use in love spells or place in food to strengthen love. Carry for protection or place in money mixtures and sachets to draw wealth. Put a pinch in the corner of each room in the house each month to attract a husband. Use an infusion in the bath for seven days to aid in resolving sadness or grief.

Witch Hazel Bark. Introduced to the world by Native Americans who taught North American settlers how to use it, Witch Hazel bark is commonly used in topical treatments of skin problems and as part of a gargle. Magical uses include chastity and protection. Carry to ease grief over a lost love. Use in a sachet to reduce passions. Use in love spells and spells to ward off evil.