Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog: A Guide to the Folk Names of Herbs

“Eye of newt, and toe of frog,

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,

Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,—

For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.”

― William Shakespeare

You're probably familiar with the above quote from the "Song of the Witches" in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. It's one of the most famous witchy quotes and mentions a variety of spooky and somewhat disgusting ingredients being added to a potion the witches are brewing. However, not all is as it appears. In fact, none of the ingredients are actual animal parts, but instead plants. 

Traditionally, plants have gone by many folk names that usually corresponded with their appearance. Many of these names include body parts, while others refer to inanimate objects the plant may resemble. Others still are named after their blooming time or their poisonous nature. Some scholars believe these folk names were to keep the ingredients of potions, brews, and remedies a secret so they couldn't be easily copied by others. However, this may not have been the case. Locals would have known commonly used folk names for plants, as there was no standard naming system in place until Linnaeus introduced binomial nomenclature as a way of classifying organisms in 1753. Either way, many of these folk names have fallen by the wayside, making decoding ancient recipes and spells difficult without a reference. That's where this list comes in handy.

Below is an A to Z list of folk names and their corresponding plant. For each entry, I have included the common and scientific name so you can be sure you are choosing the right ingredient. I have also included a list of body parts commonly used in folk names and what they refer to to guide your understanding. It's worth mentioning that some folk names were used to describe more than one plant as there were regional differences in flora. If you are unsure which to use, I encourage you to do some more digging. Where did the recipe originate from? What is the purpose of the recipe? Cross-reference these with the flora found in the area where the recipe was written and the magical correspondences of the plants being used to see which ones match the recipe's purpose.

I have done my best to provide as comprehensive of a guide as I can. If you stumble across something not on the list, please comment below so I can add it after proper research.

Plant Parts/Body Parts

• Blood- sap or juice
• Eye- the disc of a composite flower or a seed
• Foot- leaf
• Guts- roots, stalks, or tangly bits (this is less commonly used than hair)
• Hair- very stringy roots or sometimes silk or tangly stems
• Head-  lower head or seed head
• Tail- stem
• Tongue- petal or sometimes stigma
• Toes- leaf or bud
• Paw- sometimes bud but usually refers to a leaf
• Privates- seed pod (this sex organs)
• Wing- leaf
• Worm- stringy roots
• Wool- moss (any type)

As you can see, the body parts used correspond with the look of the plant or material being used. Black-Eyed Susans are so named because their black centers look like an eye. Holly leaves are called bat wings because they look like a bat's wing. Our ancestors were very straightforward in their naming of things. Now that you have somewhat of an understanding of the body parts and what they correspond with, lets just into the list of folk names!

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

• Aaron's Rod- Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) or Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Absinthe- Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
• Adder’s Fork- Adder's Tongue also known as Dog’s Tooth Violet (Erythronium americanum) or Bistort (Polygonum bistorta)
• Adder’s Tongue- Adder's Tongue also known as Dog’s Tooth Violet (Erythronium americanum)
• Adder's Mouth- Chickweed (Stellaria media)
• Alehoof- Ground Ivy (Nepeta heredacea, Glechoma hederacea, Nepeta glechoma)
• Alison- Sweet Alyssum (Alyssum spp.)
• Alligator Pear- Avocado (Persea americans)
• Angel Food- Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
• Angel’s Trumpet- Datura (Datura stramonium, D. metel, D. spp.)
• Archangel- Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
• Ass’s Ear- Colt's Foot/Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) or Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
• Ass’s Foot/Bull’s Foot- Colt's Foot/Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
• Asthma Weed/Asthmawort- Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
• Auld Man’s Bells/Old Man’s Bells- Wood Hyacinth (Hyacinthoides hispanica)
  
  

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B 

• Bad Man’s/Devil’s Oatmeal/Porridge- Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
• Bad Man’s/Devil’s Plaything- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Banewort- Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) or Pansy (Viola tricolor)
• Basheen- Allspice (Pimenta officinalis or P. dioica)
• Bat’s Wing- Holly (Ilex aquifolium, I. opaca)
• Bat’s Wool- Moss, unknown what kind
• Bear’s Foot- Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)
• Bear’s Grape/Bearberry- Uva Ursa (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
• Bear Paw- Ramsons (Allium ursinum) or the root of male fern (Dryopteris felix-mas)
• Bear Weed- Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon glutinosum, E. californicum)
• Beard of a Monk- Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
• Beaver Poison- Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
• Ben/Benjamen- Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)
• Beggar’s Buttons- Burdock (Arctium lappa)
• Beggar’s Lice- Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
• Beggarweed- Dodder (Cuscuta glomurata, C. europaea)
• Beggary- Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis)
• Besom/Bisom/Basam- Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
• Beth/Beth Root- Trillium (Trillium spp.)
• Birdlime- Mistletoe (Viscum album, Phoradendron leucarpum, P. flavescens)
• Bird’s Eye- Pansy (Viola tricolor) or Speedwell (Veronica officinalis)
• Bird’s Foot-Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
• Bird’s Nest- Carrot (Daucus carota)
• Biscuits- Tormentil (Potentilla erecta, P. tormentilla)
• Bishopwort, Bishop’s Elder – Wood Betony (Stachys betonica, S. officinalis, Betonica officinalis)
• Bitter Grass – Ague Root (Aletris farinosa)
• Bitter Nightshade- Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens- American, Solanum dulcamara- European)
• Black Nightshade- Henbane (Hyosycamus niger)
• Black Root- Ague Root (Aletris farinosa)
• Black Sampson- Echinacea (Echinacea augustifolia)
• Black Snake/Black Snake Root- Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
• Bladder Fucus- Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)
• Blanket Lead- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Blazing Star – Ague Root (Aletris farinosa)
• Blessed Herb- Pimpernel (Pimpinella saxifraga)
• Blind Bluff- Poppy (Papaver spp.)
• Blind Eyes- Poppy (Papaver spp.)
• Blind Worm's Sting- Knotweed (Polygonum spp.)
• Blood- Dragon's Blood (Daemonorops draco, D. propinquos) or sap of Elder (Sambucus canadensis)
• Blood of a Goose – Sap from Mulberry (Morus nigra, Morus rubra)
• Blood of an Eye – Tamarisk (Tamaris spp.)
• Blood of Ares- Purselane (Portulaca oleracea, P. salvia)
• Blood of Hephaestus- Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
• Blood of Hestia- Chamomile (Chameamelum mobile, Anthemis nobilis)
• Bloodroot- Tormentil (Potentilla erecta, P. tormentilla)
• Bloody Butcher- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
• Bloody Fingers- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Blooming Sally- Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
• Blue Bottle – Bachelor's Buttons (Centaurea cyanus)
• Blue Buttons- Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
• Blue Eyes- Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
• Bonewort- Pansy (Viola tricolor)
• Bottle Brush- Horsetail (Equisetum spp.)
• Boy’s Love/Lad’s Love- Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum)
• Brain Thief- Mandrake (Atropa mandragora, Mandragora officinale)
• Bruisewort- Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) or Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Bellis perenis)
• Bramble/Bramble Kite- Blackberry (Rubus villosus)
• Bread and Cheese- Hawthorn (Crataegus oxacantha)
• Bride of the Meadow- Meadowsweet (Spiaea filipendula, Dilipendula ulmaria, Spiraea ulmaris)
• Bride of Sun- Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
• Bridewort- Meadowsweet (Spiaea filipendula, Dilipendula ulmaria, Spiraea ulmaris)
• Broom- Gorse (Ulex europeaus) or Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
• Bull’s Blood – Beet (Beta vulgaris) or Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
• Buffalo Herb- Alfalfa (Medicago saliva)
• Burn Plant- Aloe (Aloe vera)
• Buttons- Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

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C

• Calf’s Snout- Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
• Candlewick- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Cape Gum- Acacia (Acacia senegal)
• Capon’s Tail- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
• Carpenter’s Square- Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa, S. marilandica)
• Carpenter’s Weed- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Cat/Catmint/Catnep/Catrup/Cat's Wort- Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
• Cat’s Foot- Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), Ground Ivy (Nepeta heredacea, Glechoma hederacea, Nepeta glechoma)
• Cat’s Herb- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
• Chameleon Star- Bromeliad (Crypanthus spp.)
• Cherry Pie- Heliotrope (Heliotropium europaeum, H. arborescens)
• Chewing John- Galangal (Alpina officinalum, A. galanga)
• Christmas Rose- Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger)
• Christ’s Ladder- Centaury (Erythraea centaurium, Centaurium spp.)
• Christ’s Spear – Adder’s Tongue Adder's Tongue also known as Dog’s Tooth Violet (Erythronium americanum)
• Christ's Thorn- Holly (Ilex aquifolium, I. opaca)
• Church Steeple – Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria)
• Cleavers – Bedstraw (Galium verum, G. triflorum)
• Clot- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Clove Root- Avens (Geum urbanum)
• Cocklebur – Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria)
• Cock’s comb – Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondiacus)
• Colewort- Avens (Geum urbanum)
• Colt’s Tail- Fleabane (Inula dysenterica, Corydalis spp.)
• Compas Point- Pilot Weed (Silphium laciniatum)
• Compass Weed- Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
• Cow's Grass/Cowgrass- Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare)
• Crane’s Bill- Geranium (Pelargonium maculatum, P. odoratissimum)
• Crosswort- Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
• Crow’s Foot- Geranium (Pelargonium maculatum, P. odoratissimum)
• Crown of Thorns- Euphorbia (Euphorbia spp.)
• Cuckoo’s Bread- Plantain (Plantago spp.)
• Cuckowe's Meat- Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)
• Cucumber Tree- Magnolia (Magnolia spp.)
• Cuddy’s Lungs- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Crown for a King- Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)Cupid's Car- Wolf's Bane (Aconitum napellus, Arnica latifolia, Arnica montana)

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D

• Dagger flower- Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)
• Daphne – Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
• Deadly Nightshade- Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
• Dead Man’s Bells- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Death Angel – Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
• Death Cap – Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
• Death Flower- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Death’s Herb – Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
• Deer's Tongue- Deerstongue (Liatris odoratissima, Frasera speciosa)
• Delight of the Eye- Rowan (Sorbus acuparia)
• Devil’s Apple- Datura (Datura stramonium, D. metel, D. spp.) or Mandrake (Atropa mandragora, Mandragora officinale)
• Devil's Bit- Devil's Bit (Scabiosa succisa)
• Devil’s Cherries- Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
• Devil's Dung- Asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida, F. foetida, F. rurbicaulis)
• Devil’s Eye- Elder (Sambucus canadensis) or Henbane (Hyosycamus niger) or Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
• Devil’s Flower – Bachelor's Buttons (Centaurea cyanus)
• Devil’s Fuge- Mistletoe (Viscum album, Phoradendron leucarpum, P. flavescens)
• Devil’s Guts- Dodder (Cuscuta glomurata, C. europaea)
• Devil’s Herb – Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
• Devil’s Milk- Celandine (Chelidonium majus)
• Devil’s Nettle- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Devil's Oatmeal- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum, P. sativum)
• Devil’s Plaything- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Devil’s Shoestring- Goat's Rue (Vibumum alnifolium)
• Dew of the Sea/Sea Dew- Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
• Dog Bane- Oleander (Nerium oleander)
• Doggies- Toadflax (Linatia vulgaris)
• Dog's Fingers- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Dog Standard- Ragwort (Senecio vulgaris, S. jacobaea)
• Dog’s Tongue- Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
• Dragonwort- Bistort (Polygonum bistorta)
• Dragon’s Blood- Dragon's Blood (Daemonorops draco, D. propinquos) or Calamus (Acorus calamus)
• Drunkard- Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
• Dumbledore's Delight- Wolf's Bane (Aconitum napellus, Arnica latifolia, Arnica montana)

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E

• Earth Bark- Tormentil (Potentilla erecta, P. tormentilla)
• Earth Smoke- Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis)
• Earth Star- Bromeliad (Crypanthus spp.)
• Egyptian Thorn- Acacia (Acacia senegal)
• Elf Leaf- Lavender (Lavendula officinale) or Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
• Elf’s Wort/Elfwort- Elecampane (Inula helenium)
• Elven- Elm (Ulmus campestris)
• Enchanter’s Plant- Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
• Englishman’s Foot- Plantain (Plantago spp.)
• English Serpentary- Bistort (Polygonum bistorta)
• Even of the Star- Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
• Eyes/Eye of Day- Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Bellis perenis)
• Eye Balm- Golden Seal (Hydrastis canadensis)
• Eye of Newt- Mustard Seed (Brassica nigra)
• Eye Root- Golden Seal (Hydrastis canadensis)

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F

• Fair Lady- Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
• Fairy Bell- Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)
• Fairy Cup- Cowslip (Primula veris)
• Fairy Fingers/Petticoats/Thimbles- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Fairy Horses- Ragwort (Senecio vulgaris, S. jacobaea)
• Felon Herb- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
• Felonwort- Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens- American, Solanum dulcamara- European)
• Feverwort- Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) or Centaury (Erythraea centaurium, Centaurium spp.)
• Five Fingers/Five Finger Blossom/Grass- Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis, P. erecta, P. reptans) or Tormentil (Potentilla erecta, P. tormentilla)
• Flesh and Blood- Tormentil (Potentilla erecta, P. tormentilla)
• Flute Plant- Meadow Rue (Thalictrum spp.)
• Flukes- Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
• Foal's Foot- Colt's Foot/Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
• Folk's Gloves- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Fox Bells- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Fox’s Clote- Burdock (Arctium lappa)
• Frog's Foot- Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)
• From the Foot- Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)
• From the Loins- Chamomile (Chameamelum mobile, Anthemis nobilis)
• Fruit of the Gods- Apple (Pyrus spp.)
• Fruit of the Underworld- Apple (Pyrus spp.) or Pomegranate (Punica granatum)

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G

• Gagroot- Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
• Gallows- Mandrake (Atropa mandragora, Mandragora officinale)
• Ghost Flower- Datura (Datura stramonium, D. metel, D. spp.)
• Gillies/Gilliflower- Carnation (Dianthus carophyllus)
• Giver of Life- Corn (Zea mays)
• Gladdon- Calamus (Acorus calamus)
• Goat’s Foot- Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.)
• Goat’s Horn- Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
• Goat's Leaf- Honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolium, L. japonica)
• Goatweed- St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• Golden/Goldy Star – Avens (Geum urbanum)
• Golden Bough- Mistletoe (Viscum album, Phoradendron leucarpum, P. flavescens)
• Gout Root- Briony (Bryony spp.)
• Grave Root- Meadowsweet (Spiaea filipendula, Dilipendula ulmaria, Spiraea ulmaris)
• Graveyard Dust- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Greek Nuts- Almond (Prunus communic or P. dulcis)
• Ground Apple- Chamomile (Chameamelum mobile, Anthemis nobilis)
• Groundbread- Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.)

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H

• Hair of Venus- Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatim)
• Hag's Tapers- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Hagthorn- Hawthorn (Crataegus oxacantha)
• Hare’s Beard- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Harebell- Bluebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
• Hare Foot- Avens (Geum urbanum)
• Hart's Thorn- Buckthron (Rhamnus catharticus, R. frangula, R. spp.)
• Hawk’s Heart- Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
• Hay Maids/Hedge Maids- Ground Ivy (Nepeta heredacea, Glechoma hederacea, Nepeta glechoma)
• Heart Leaf- Liverwort (Hepatica nobilis, Anemone hepatic, Peltigera canina)
• Heart's Ease- Pansy (Viola tricolor)
• Hedge Taper- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Hellweed- Dodder (Cuscuta glomurata, C. europaea)
• Helmet Weed- Scullcap (Scutellatia lateriflora, S. galericulata)
• Hen and Chickens- Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)
• Herb Bennet- Avens (Geum urbanum)
• Herb of Circe- Mandrake (Atropa mandragora, Mandragora officinale)
• Herb of Enchantment- Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
• Herb of Gladness- Borage (Borago officinalis)
• Herb of Grace- Rue (Ruta graveolens) or Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
• Herb of Mary- Pimpernel (Pimpinella saxifraga)
• Herb of the Cross- Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
• High John the Conqueror/John/Jack- High John the Conqueror (Ipomoea purga, I. jalapa)
• Holy Herb- Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
• Holy Tree- Holly (Ilex aquifolium, I. opaca)
• Honey- Clover (Trifolium spp.)
• Hoodweed- Scullcap (Scutellatia lateriflora, S. galericulata)
• Horse Tongue- Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium)
• Hound's Tongue- Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) or Deerstongue (Liatris odoratissima, Frasera speciosa)
• Husband's Dial/Husbandman's Dial- Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
• Hundred Eyes- Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

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I

• Innocence- Innocence (Houstonia procumbens)

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J

• Jacob's Ladder- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
• Jacob’s Staff- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Johnny Jumper/Johnny Jump-Ups- Pansy (Viola tricolor)
• Jove's Flower- Carnation (Dianthus carophyllus)
• Joy of the Mountain- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
• Juno's Tears- Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
• Jupiter's Bean- Henbane (Hyosycamus niger)
• Jupiter’s Staff- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)

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K

• Kenning Wort- Celandine (Chelidonium majus)
• Key Flower/Key of Heaven/Lady's Key- Cowslip (Primula veris)
• King's Spur- Larkspur (Delphinium spp.)
• Knight’s Milfoil- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Kronos’ Blood- Sap of Cedar (Cedrus libani or C. spp.)

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L

• Ladder to Heaven- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
• Lady of the Wood- Birch (Betula pendula, B. pubescens, B. lenta, B. alba)
• Lady's Lace- Dodder (Cuscuta glomurata, C. europaea)
• Ladies' Meat- Hawthorn (Crataegus oxacantha)
• Ladies' Seal- Briony (Bryony spp.) or Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum officianle, P. multiflorum biflorum)
• Lamb’s Ears- Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
• Lapstones- Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
• Leather Jackets- Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
• Leopard's Bane- Wolf's Bane (Aconitum napellus, Arnica latifolia, Arnica montana)
• Lion's Foot- Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)
• Lion's Herb- Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis, A. vulgaris)
• Lion's Mouth- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Lion’s Tooth- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
• Little Queen- Meadowsweet (Spiaea filipendula, Dilipendula ulmaria, Spiraea ulmaris)
• Little Stepmother- Pansy (Viola tricolor)
• Lizard's leg- Ivy (Nepeta heredacea, Glechoma hederacea, Nepeta glechoma)
• Love Apples- Tomato (Lycopersicon spp.)
• Love in Idleness/Love Idol/Loving Idol- Pansy (Viola tricolor)
• Love Lies Bleeding- Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondiacus) or Pansy (Viola tricolor)
• Love Leaves- Burdock (Arctium lappa)
• Love Parsley- Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
• Love Rod- Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
• Love Root- Lovage (Levisticum officinale) or Orris Root (Iris germanica var. florentina)
• Love Will- Datura (Datura stramonium, D. metel, D. spp.)
• Love Vine- Dodder (Cuscuta glomurata, C. europaea)
• Low John the Conqueror- Galangal (Alpina officinalum, A. galanga)
• Lucky Nut- Be-Still (Thevetia peruviana, t. nereifolia)
• Lurk-In-The-Ditch- Pennyroal (Mentha pulegium)
• Lycopod- Club Moss (Lycopodium calvatum)

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M

• Mad Apple- Datura (Datura stramonium, D. metel, D. spp.)
• Madder's Cousin- Bedstraw (Galium verum, G. triflorum)
• Mad Root- Briony (Bryony spp.)
• Madwort- Sweet Alyssum (Alyssum spp.) or Datura (Datura stramonium, D. metel, D. spp.) or Scullcap (Scutellatia lateriflora, S. galericulata) or Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
• Maiden’s Ruin- Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum)
• Male Lily- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
• Male Shield- Male Fern (Dryopterisfelix-mas)
• Man’s Bile- Turnip Juice (Brassica rapa)
• Man’s Health- Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
• Master of the Woods- Woodruff (Asperula odorata, Galium odoratum)
• Masterwort- Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
• May Lily- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
• Maypops- Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)
• Meadow- Anemone (Anemone pulsatilla)
• Melissa- Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
• Mother of Herbs- Rue (Ruta graveolens)
• Mother of the Wood- Sloe (Prunus spinosa)
• Money Plant- Honesty (Lunaria spp.)
• Moonlight on the Grove- Jasmine (Jasminum spp.)
• Murphies- Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
• Mutton Chops- Goosegrass (Eleusine spp.)

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N

• Narcissus- Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
• Nard- Lavender (Lavendula officinale)
• Naught Man- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
• Naughty Man's Cherries- Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
• Nine Hooks- Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)
• Nine Joints- Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare)
• No Eyes- Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
• Nose Bleed- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Nurse Heal- Elecampane (Inula helenium)

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O

• Old Lady/Old Gal/Old Woman- Elder (Sambucus canadensis) or Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
• Old Man- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) or Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum)
• Old Man’s Flannel- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Old Man’s Pepper- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Old Uncle Henry- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
• Organ Broth/Tea- Pennyroal (Mentha pulegium)
• Our Lady's Glove- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Our Lady's Tears- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
• Owelet's Wing- Garlic (Allium sativum)

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P

• Paddock Pipes- Horsetail (Equisetum spp.)
• Password- Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
• Patterns and Cogs- Toadflax (Linatia vulgaris)
• Pentagram Flowers/Plant- Wax Plant (Hoya camosa)
• Personata- Burdock (Arctium lappa)
• Peter’s Staff- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Pigeon's Grass/Pigeonwood- Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
• Pinks- Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
• Piss-a-Bed- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
• Pole Cat- Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
• Poor Man's Meat- Bean (Phaseolus spp.)
• Poor Man’s Treacle- Garlic (Allium sativum)
• Princess Feather- Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondiacus)
• Priest’s Crown- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
• Pukeweed- Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
• Purple Medic- Alfalfa (Medicago saliva)

 

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Q

• Quaker Bonnet- Scullcap (Scutellatia lateriflora, S. galericulata)
• Queen Elizabeth Root- Orris Root (Iris germanica var. florentina)
• Quick- Hawthorn (Crataegus oxacantha)
• Quickbane- Rowan (Sorbus acuparia)

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R

• Rabbits- Toadflax (Linatia vulgaris)
• Rats and Mice- Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
• Ram’s horn- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
• Red Robin- Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare)
• Ring-a-Bell- Bluebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
• Rocks- Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
• Runaway Robin- Ground Ivy (Nepeta heredacea, Glechoma hederacea, Nepeta glechoma)

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S

• Sacred Mother- Corn (Zea mays)
• Scabwort- Elecampane (Inula helenium)
• Scaldhead- Blackberry (Rubus villosus)
• Seed of Horns- Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
• Semen of Ammon- Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)
• Semen of Ares- Clover (Trifolium spp.)
• Semen of Hephaistos- Fleabane (Inula dysenterica, Corydalis spp.)
• Serpent's Tongue- Adder's Tongue also known as Dog’s Tooth Violet (Erythronium americanum)
• Seven Barks- Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
• Seven Year’s Love- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Sheep Lice- Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
• Silver Bough- Apple (Pyrus spp.)
• Silver Dollar- Honesty (Lunaria spp.)
• Silver Leaf- Stillengia (Stillingia sylvatica)
• Sleep Herb/Sleepwort- Lettuce (Lactuca salvia)
• Snake Bite- Plantain (Plantago spp.)
• Snake Grape- Briony (Bryony spp.)
• Snake's Friend- Indian Paint Brush (Castilleja spp.)
• Snake's Matches- Indian Paint Brush (Castilleja spp.)
• Snake Root- Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria)
• Snakeweed- Bistort (Polygonum bistorta) or Plantain (Plantago spp.) or Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria)
• Soapwort- Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) or Soapwort (Saponaria spp.)
• Solider's Tea- Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
• Sops-In-Wine- Carnation (Dianthus carophyllus)
• Sorcerer's Berries- Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
• Sorcerer's Herb- Datura (Datura stramonium, D. metel, D. spp.)
• Sorcerer's Root- Mandrake (Atropa mandragora, Mandragora officinale)
• Sorcerer’s Violet- Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
• Sow Bread/Swine Bread- Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.)
• Sparrow’s Tongue- Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare)
• Spike- Lavender (Lavendula officinale)
• St. Jame's Wort- Ragwort (Senecio vulgaris, S. jacobaea)
• St. John’s Plant- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
• Star Flower- Borage (Borago officinalis)
• Star of the Earth – Avens (Geum urbanum)
• Starweed- Chickweed (Stellaria media)
• Starwort- Aster (Callistephus chinensis)
• Strangle Tare- Dodder (Cuscuta glomurata, C. europaea)
• Stepmother- Pansy (Viola tricolor)
• Stinking Nanny/Willie- Ragwort (Senecio vulgaris, S. jacobaea)
• Stinkweed- Garlic (Allium sativum)
• Storm' Hat- Wolf's Bane (Aconitum napellus, Arnica latifolia, Arnica montana)
• Summer's Bride- Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
• Sundrop- Yellow Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
• Swallow Herb/Swallow Wort- Celandine (Chelidonium majus)
• Swamp Sassafras- Magnolia (Magnolia spp.)
• Sweating Plant- Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
• Swine’s Snout- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
  
  

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T

• Tanner’s Bark- Toadflax (Linatia vulgaris)
• Tartar Root- Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
• Tetterwort- Celandine (Chelidonium majus)
• Thoroughwort- Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
• Thron- Hawthorn (Crataegus oxacantha)
• Thor's Hat- Wolf's Bane (Aconitum napellus, Arnica latifolia, Arnica montana)
• Thor's Helper- Rowan (Sorbus acuparia)
• Thousand Weed- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Throat's Herb/Throatwort- Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa, S. marilandica)
• Thunder Plant- Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)
• Toad- Toadflax (Linatia vulgaris)
• Toe of Frog- Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)
• Tongue of Dog- Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
• Tongue Grass- Chickweed (Stellaria media)
• Torches- Mullein (Verbascum thapus)
• Tree of Death- Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
• Tree of Doom- Elder (Sambucus canadensis)
• Tree of Chastity- Hawthorn (Crataegus oxacantha)
• Tree of Evil- Walnut (Juglans regia)
• True Love- Trillium (Trillium spp.)
• Trumpet Flower- Be-Still (Thevetia peruviana, t. nereifolia)

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U

• Unicorn’s horn/root- Ague Root (Aletris farinosa)
• Urine- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
• Unshoe-Horse- Moonwort (Botrychium spp.)

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V

• Vapor- Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis)

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W

• War Poison- Yellow Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
• Warty Foot- Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)
• Wax Dolls- Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis)
• Weasel- Rue (Ruta graveolens)
• Winterweed- Chickweed (Stellaris media)
• White Man’s Foot- Plantain (Plantago spp.)
• Wishing Thorn- Sloe (Prunus spinosa)
• Witchbane/Witchwood- Rowan (Sorbus acuparia)
• Witch’s Asprin- Willow (Salix alba)
• Witch's Bells- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Witch's Berries- Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
• Witch's Broom- Mistletoe (Viscum album, Phoradendron leucarpum, P. flavescens)
• Witch's Burr- Liguidamber (Liquidambar spp.)
• Witch's Hair-Dodder (Cuscuta glomurata, C. europaea)
• Witch's Herb- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Witch's Mannildn- Mandrake (Atropa mandragora, Mandragora officinale)
• Witch's Thimble- Datura (Datura stramonium, D. metel, D. spp.) or Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Wolf Claw- Club Moss (Lycopodium calvatum)
• Wolf's Hat- Wolf's Bane (Aconitum napellus, Arnica latifolia, Arnica montana)
• Wolf’s Milk- Euphorbia (Euphorbia spp.)
• Wood of the Cross- Mistletoe (Viscum album, Phoradendron leucarpum, P. flavescens)
• Wool of Bat- Holly (Ilex aquifolium, I. opaca) or moss
• Worm Fern- Male Fern (Dryopterisfelix-mas)
• Wound Weed/Wort- Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

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X

None at this time.

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Y

None at this time.

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Z

None at this time.

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***

And there you have it! An A to Z guide of the folk names of different herbs and their modern counterpart. While not 100% comprehensive, this is an excellent starting point when translating or deciphering old grimoires and herbal remedies. Whether it was done to keep recipes a secret or not, our ancestors were certainly creative in their naming system!

Again, if you didn't see something on this list, please let me know in the comments below so I can do some research and get it added. Until next time!

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