Poisons Archive

Poisonous plants and substances are double-edged tools of power, offering protection, transformation, and respect for life’s fragility. Understand their properties, dangers, and historical use in ritual and magic.

This grimoire is always growing, just like the magic around us. If you know a crystal, herb, resin, or other magical ally that isn’t on this page—or a use we’ve overlooked—please comment below! Your knowledge and suggestions help keep this collection alive and ever-expanding.

A

Aconite (Wolfsbane) – A tall, spiky herb with blue to purple flowers associated with protection and banishing. Known for warding off evil and harmful spirits, it is often used in talismans or magical boundaries, but extreme caution is required due to its deadly toxicity.

Amanita Mushrooms (Fly Agaric) – Bright red mushrooms with white spots associated with transformation, psychic vision, and spiritual journeys. Known for opening pathways to other realms, they are toxic if ingested in large amounts, so used symbolically, in smoke, or in folklore rites.

Arum (Jack-in-the-pulpit, Calla Lily, etc.) – Green stalks with hooded flowers linked to protection and banishment. Known for magical and ceremonial uses, the plant is toxic if ingested.

Autumn Crocus (Colchicum) – Purple or pink flowers tied to protection, divination, and transformation. Known for strong magical potency, all parts are poisonous.

B

Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) – Dark purple berries and green foliage associated with protection, divination, and love magic. Known for psychic enhancement and banishing harmful spirits, it is extremely toxic and handled only symbolically.

Bellwort (Uvularia) – Slender green stalks with yellow flowers associated with protection and psychic work. Known for protective charms, it is mildly toxic if ingested.

C

Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) – Green plant with spiny seed pods linked to protection, cursing, and transformation. Known for highly toxic seeds (ricin), used only symbolically in magical practice.

Cicuta (Water Hemlock) – Green plant with umbrella-shaped white flowers associated with protection and banishment. Extremely toxic, it is handled only in symbolic or ceremonial ways.

D

Deadly Nightshade (Belladonna) – Dark purple berries and green foliage linked to divination, love, and protection. Highly toxic, historically used in protective charms or astral workings.

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) – Broad green leaves with white markings tied to protection and warding. Known for its symbolic protective energy, the sap is irritating or toxic if ingested.

E

(None)

F

Foxglove – Tall plants with bell-shaped purple or pink flowers associated with protection and intuition. Known for amplifying psychic abilities and magical workings, it is handled carefully due to its cardiotoxic properties.

G

Gelsemium – Slender green vines with yellow flowers associated with divination and protection. Extremely toxic, used only symbolically.

H

Hellebore – Pale to dark flowers tied to warding, spiritual vision, and banishing. Used historically in protective magic, it is poisonous and should never be ingested.

Hemlock (Conium maculatum) – Tall green stalks with white umbrella-shaped flowers linked to banishing and spiritual power. Known for its deadly nature, it is historically associated with curses and protective magic, never to be ingested.

Henbane – Yellowish-green flowers and sticky leaves linked to protection, banishing, and divination. Known for inducing altered states, it is used cautiously in ritual smoke or charms due to its toxic alkaloids.

I

(None)

J

Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) – White or purple trumpet-shaped flowers tied to divination, psychic power, and astral journeys. Known for inducing visions, it is dangerously toxic and used only in smoke or ceremonial rituals.

K

Kalmia (Mountain Laurel) – Evergreen shrub with clusters of pink or white flowers associated with protection and banishment. Known for its defensive magical qualities, it is extremely toxic and handled only symbolically.

L

Larkspur (Delphinium) – Tall spikes of blue or purple flowers associated with protection and banishing. Known for defensive magic, it is poisonous and used externally or symbolically.

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) – Small white bell-shaped flowers connected to protection and divination. Known for its magical protective energy, it is highly poisonous if ingested.

M

Mandrake (Mandragora) – Thick greenish roots often resembling a human figure, linked to protection, fertility, and magical power. Known for powerful binding and protective magic, it is toxic and handled with ritual gloves or symbolically.

Mistletoe – Green, leafy branches with white berries connected to protection, fertility, and healing. Known for powerful magical uses, its berries are toxic and should never be ingested.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris – toxic in large doses) – Silvery-green leaves tied to dreams, divination, and psychic work. While commonly used, overuse can be toxic; best used in smoke or ritual applications.

N

(None)

O

Oleander – Pink, white, or red flowers associated with protection, transformation, and warding. Known for potent defensive magic, all parts are highly poisonous and handled symbolically.

P

Pennyroyal – Small green leaves associated with protection, divination, and cleansing. Known for banishing negativity and enhancing psychic work, it is toxic when ingested and best used in smoke or ritual oil.

Poke Root (Phytolacca) – Dark green leaves and purple berries linked to protection, transformation, and cursing magic. Known for drawing out hidden forces, it is extremely toxic and should be used only symbolically or externally.

Q

(None)

R

Rhododendron – Evergreen shrub with clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers tied to protection and banishing. Known for its magical potency, ingestion can be fatal, so it is used only in symbolic forms or for decorative ritual energy.

Rhubarb Leaves – Large green leaves associated with protection and cleansing. Known for symbolic magical uses, they are highly toxic if ingested (the stalks are edible).

S

(None)

T

Tansy – Yellow button-like flowers associated with protection, courage, and banishing. Known for strong protective and cleansing qualities, it is toxic if ingested, so it is best used in ritual smoke, oils, or charm bags.

U

(None)

V

(None)

W

Water Hemlock – Green stalks with white flowers linked to protection and spiritual work. Extremely toxic and never ingested; used only symbolically.

Wormwood – Silvery-green, aromatic leaves linked to divination, psychic work, and protection. Known for enhancing visions and spiritual journeys, it is toxic if ingested in high amounts and best used in smoke, ritual baths, or magical oil.

X

(None)

Y

Yew (Taxus) – Evergreen shrub or tree with red berries associated with death, protection, and divination. Known for protective and transformative magic, the seeds and leaves are highly toxic.

Z

(None)