The Magical Properties of Foxglove + The Medicinals it Mimics

Foxglove, a beautiful garden ornamental is actually one of the most dangerous plants one could think of. It is considered a Baneful Herb. Here is an excerpt from Witchipedia on its magickal properties.

" Foxglove is a baneful herb associated with the planets Saturn or Venus, depending on who you ask.
Juice or dew collected from foxgloves can be used in ritual to commune with the faeries and the leaves are said to help break faerie enchantments. Do not let it touch your skin and do not inhale the smoke if you burn the leaves!
Plant foxgloves anywhere you wish to invite the faeries to come visit.
Carry foxglove with you to attract faerie energy." [Source]

Foxglove was originally used to treat heart and kidney issues, and it technically still is! Medical technology is used today to isolate the compound Digoxin to be used as a cardiac medication! The plant itself is actually a potent cardiac toxin that is very dangerous. Several plants get mixed up with this plant when it is not in bloom, such as Comfrey, Elecampane, and Mullein. When dealing with plants for medicine, Always be sure you spend time with plants through every seasonal change so you can properly identify them without a shadow of doubt!

The young rosettes of all of these plants are very similar, and this is why it is so important to be with your plant through its flowering stage. It is imperative to note, many plants that grow in a basal rosette have a 2 year growth cycle. So, on year one, they will be a dormant basal rosette, and year two, they will grow their stalks and blooms. They are very easy to mix in this young stage, but once the flowers pop up its like-- “Oh yeah… definitely not what I thought you were.”

Here are some comparative photos of their rosettes and flowering stalks:

[Foxglove Digitalis purpurea] :warning: All members of the Digitalis Genus are toxic
Rosette:


(Photo -Source)

Full Grown:


(Photo-Source)

[Comfrey Symphytum officinale] :warning: Comfrey is Skin Safe but not reccommended for internal use because of harmful Hepatotoxic PAs (Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids)

Rosette:


(Photo- Source)

Full Grown:


(Photo- Source)

[Mullein Verbascum thapsus]

Rosette:


(Photo- Source)

Full Grown:


(Photo- Source)

[Elecampane Inula brittanica L.]

Rosette:
InulaRosette_blackbackground
(Photo- Source)

Full Grown:


(Photo- Source)

As you can see, these plants are all wildly different in full flower, but dangerously similar when young and dormant! My teacher in the video detailing the importance of correct identification told us just how dangerous this plant was with a personal story-- in which: One of her friends was out for a jog and saw a plant that she thought was one of the medicinals I outlined above, and took it home to put in her smoothie. She made the smoothie and drank it, and ended up needing to go to the hospital-- she died within two hours of consumption. This plant is violent; and it is best we all have the knowledge to protect ourselves from a similar fate.

Thank you for reading this long I know this was a doozy compared to the last one I wrote up! :heart:

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What a sad thing, even though now a day we do have apps; that might help us to identify some plants, it’s always good to look for a second opinion on books, even people; like @Velle, to just to be sure of what are we dealing with. Like the information, I never saw this plant before. Here in Puerto Rico we have one similar like the last picture. Don’t know if is related.

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Its very common here in the US! Even though it doesn’t grow in my state natively or invasively, I still have to be very careful because of just how many people plant it for their gardens!

That is the sad thing though. Sometimes, the internet and apps aren’t reliable unless you know what sites to look at, and some people don’t want to put the work into getting a field guide (or two, or three :joy: ) for their area and studying. Luckily there are schools that go over these topics, but not all do.

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I had a White Foxglove. The only reason that I knew what it was is because when it was planted, the tag was left with it. I happened to look it up & we knew where it was, so we left it be to do its thing. Our dogs aren’t allowed in the garden where it was planted. :no_mouth:

It’s very pretty though when it’s in full bloom.

(It was Mother’s Day gift from my kids & husband :heart: They planted it before I got home)

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It really is a beautiful plant! I can see why its so popular ornamentally! it can be kept for a pollinator garden because it is great for attracting bees and butterflies! Its just best to be safe when using it for spell work and wear gloves if you do decide to do so. Perhaps you could turn that section into a fairy garden since this plant is used primarily for fairy magic! :heart:

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I hadn’t thought of 1 placed there, but it is a great idea! It’s right in front of my house & I do want to make a faerie home for my yard. I have some very colorful perennials & can add some more faerie friendly ones.

Thank you :blush:

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My mother had foxglove in her gardens a few times- it really is a striking plant with gorgeously vibrant colors! I remember the warning that it was really toxic, but I never knew what made it such a dangerous plant… until now! :grin:

This is a really great piece, @Velle- I love how you explored foxglove and several of the plants it can be confused with. And your safety notes and guidance are really appreciated! :pray::heart:

If I can add one more potential look-alike to the list for folks to be aware of, it is “Lamb’s Ear”, which looks similar (especially to Mullein) but is a medicinal herb.

Lamb’s Ear (young):


Picture from Spruce: Lamb’s Ear

Lamb’s Ear (full grown):


Picture from Better Homes: Lamb’s Ear

There really are so many plants that look similar- best to be aware and, just like you say, always be 100% sure! When in doubt- don’t take it. If there’s an herb someone really wants to use, I suggest purchasing it from a reputable herbalist/apothecary or growing it in your garden yourself :seedling:

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Ah yes!! Thank you for adding onto this with that! I haven’t studied lambs ear at all yet, so I had no clue myself!

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You’re very welcome! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: I only thought of it because I had to double-check to see if Mullein was Lamb’s Ear- nope, turns out they are different plants! :joy: I learned something else new and it really proved your point about how similar they are all :grin:

Thanks again for sharing your herbal wisdom, Velle! :green_heart:

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My personal opinion ( and thats all it is) is that everyone should learn the properties and benefits of herbs both magically and medicinally.

That like when i make something for someone, if i already have a base blend for it ( like my fibromyalgia oil) i make sure the person has no allergies to the ingredients. As all herbs have a substitute.

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Lambs ear has magical properties too.

Magical Uses: include purification, protection, and the expulsion of evil spirits, nightmares, and despair. Excellent for magickal healing and protecting against dark fears of the emotions & imagination. A good addition to dream pillows. Carry in an amulet to draw love and strengthen the body. Burn to banish disharmony in a relationship. Burn with any uncrossing incense to defeat witchcraft.

This was a very powerful herb to the Druids as it has the power to expel evil spirits, nightmares and despair. During Midsummer festivals, it is traditional to add Wood Betony to the bonfire then jump through the smoke to purify the body of ills and evil. If troubled by nightmares fill a small cloth pillow and place it under your pillow. Betony is added to purification and protection mixtures and incenses.

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That is awesome to hear- I can definitely see why Lambs Ear would be a good addition to dream and sleep pillows! :star_struck:

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom, @Mistress_Of_Herbs- this makes me want to work with Lambs Ear more! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: :herb:

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Its a wonderful herb. Im fixing to mess with prickly pear and corydalis yanhusuo. Going to be making a new tea for my severe neuropathy. So we shall see. Fingers crossed. They should be here by Saturday

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This is sooo important!! I have reached out to a few vendors on etsy regarding their “and other essential oils” because my skin is sensitive to some. They get offended and ask if I’m trying to steal their recipe! I’m over here “No, just want to make sure I don’t break out in hives from your product but thanks. I’ll move on to someone who will tell what they use.” Main reason I either make my own now or get the ladies at my local shop to mix it up if I don’t have the proper ingredients.

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I don’t mind sharing. Ppl say im naive to do so. And ive been burnt too many times but i still do it. Im just picky as to whom i share with. I read their energy first.

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I understand that! It goes back to me not buying from people who are extremely rude back, I just get that bad vibe and decide it’s not worth my effort any more. I always start my inquiry with the fact that I am asking for allergy/sensitivity purposes. I have no problem answering any questions that the seller may have for me. I’ve even had some not want to share but willing to let me share what ones I have a reaction to and let me know whether they are included or not. I have too many friends that are small business owners to undermine people’s way to earn money.

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U have to protect yourself. And if u arent told whats in something u dont know if u are allergic or not and might need a substitution.

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