TEXT: This HPLHS Prop Document is for entertainment purposes only. Designed and implemented by
  Andrew Leman. © 2002 by HPLHS. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the user to print
  copies for his/her personal use in role-playing games. No other permission is granted, and any commer-
  cial or illegal use of this digital file or the prop you can make with it is ENTIRELY PROHIBITED.
  Please do not distribute this document.  It is available from www.cthulhulives.org
  Questions? Ask them.  andrew@ahleman.com
  MOVIE PROP HERBAL
  This prop was originally designed for the film Practical Magic.
  This file consists of twenty pages for an herbal, a book of plant lore and
  spells. The pages are designed with blank spaces into which are meant
  to be inserted dried samples of actual plants.
  Print on parchment or some other kind of rough or textured paper. 
  Add dried, pressed plant specimens, if desired, on pages with glue
  and/or thread.
  Add additional spells or illustrations, if desired. New items can simply
  be written/drawn in, or glued on to the pages. 
  Bind pages using any technique of your choice, or glue finished pages
  into an old book.
  
  It is under the dominion of Venus
  The dried and powdered roots are good for nervous 
  disorders, but © dose must be sma¬. A dram and a half of 
  the dried roots, taken in autumn, is a strong, but safe emetic.
  It has always been useful for gout and rheumatism, preferably in 
  the form of an infusion. One teaspoonful of the dried herb with one 
  of Motherwort is simmered in 1 pint of boiling water until it 
  measures 1/2 pint. This is then administered in three doses of 3 
  fl. oz. before meals.
  The juice of the roots snuffed up 
     the nose, occasions violent sneezing,
         and brings away a great deal of 
           water, but without being
              productive of any bad effects.
  A woodland perennial 
    with a tuft of leaves and
   white or pale yellow flowers
    on long slender hairy stalks.  
  It is common in woods, thickets,
    and hedges. It particularly
       likes claY soil.
  YX
  H
  horehound
  ahlem
  
  It is exce¬ent against     
  nervous aƒections.
  It has a strong-sme¬ing   
  root, long, winged, 
  hairy leaves and
    pinkish flowers.
  (True Wild)
  One ounce of the powder is infused in 
  1 pt of Boiling water and taken in 
  doses of up to 2 fluid ounces. The 
  Tincture made by herbalists is taken 
  in doses of one or two teaspoonfuls 
  three or four times a day.
      it is found in high pastures
  and Heathland, and flowers in Late Spring.
     An Herb of Mercury
  Valeriana 
  ofFicinalis
  U
  ualerian
  3
  Q
  dont
  
  Balsamita Major
  mugwort
  (B. vulgaris)
  2
  W V An Herb of Jupiter
  U
  It is an especial friend and help to evil, weak
  and cold livers.
  Once a common garden herb, now a rarity. It is
  closely allied to the common Pansy, but gives
  off a pleasant aroma and where it is still grown
  it is known as Mace. It is also called Alerest and
  Balsam Herb. 7
  I
  it is an Oriental herb formerly grown in every
    herb garden. It does well in all soils, but prefers dry.
  It provoketh, gently purgeth choler and phlegm and is
  a wonderful help to a¬ sorts of dry agues. It is astringent
  to the stomach, and strengthens the liver and other inward parts.
    Taken first thing in the morning it is very profitable for pains
  in the head that are continual. It is helpful to those that have
  fa¬en into the continual evil disposition of the body ca¬ed Cachesia,
  but especia¬y in the beginning of the disease. It maketh an
  exce¬ent salve to cleanse and heal old ulcers, being boiled with
  olive oil & Adder's Tongue with it. After straining a li†le
   wax is added to thicken it. 
  hp
  
  It has an opening and 
  cleansing quality and, 
  therefore, very eƒectual 
  for removing obstructions 
  of the liver, gall 
  bladder and spleen and 
  diseases arising from 
  them, such as jaundice. 
  Theophra§tus de§cribes a plant apparently like an artichoke
   and there are drawings on monuments which have been
  thought by zealous protagonists of Egyptian culture to re-
  present the species. It is a native of North Africa.
   bile production by the liver and 
  urinary outpu‡ from the kidneys is 
   increased with the use of this herb. 
  The leaves are particularly strong.
  Aa
  rtichoke
  YX
  Cynara §colymus
  
  taraxacum ofFicinale
  This herb helps one to 
  see farther without a 
  pair of spectacles. 
  This is known by foreign 
  phy§icians who are not so 
  selfi§h as ours, but more 
  communicative of the 
  virtues of plants to 
  people.
  A well-known plant
   which barely requires 
  description. The root
   grows down exceedingly
    deep and if broken off 
  within the ground it will
     shoot forth again.
  U n d e r  t h e  D o m i n i o n  o f  J u p i t e r
  angelica
  T
  This herb openeth the paßages of the urine both in young and old and wi¬
  cleanse ulcers in the urinary tract. For this purpose the decoction of the roots
  or leaves in white wine, or the leaves used as pot herbs ae very eƒectual. 
  It is of wonderful help in cachexia, the severe wasting condition in severe i¬neß. 
  It also procures rest and sleep in those with fever. The distilled water can be
  drunk in pestilential fever and be used as a wash for the sores. This common
  herb hath many virtues, which is why the French and Dutch eat them so often
  in the spring.  
  
  primula vgs
                 A §yrup is made of the §eed and flowers to stay    
  catarrhs and defluxions of rheums from the head 
    into the stomach and lungs, which causes a continual
    cough, the forerunner of consumption. It helps with
   hoarseness of the throat, and loss of voice, which the oil of 
  the seed does likewise.
     Boiled in Wine and drank, the black seed stays 
  the flux of the belly and women's courses. The heads, boiled
   in water, are given to procure rest and sleep. The leaves 
  act in the same manner.
  An infusion of the petals is helpful
   in treating asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, 
  whooping cough and angina. 1/2 ounce
    of the dried petals are infused in 2 
  pints of boiling water. This can be
   taken a cupful at a time three or 
  four times a day.
  It is under the dominion of MERCURY
  S
  salvia C
  confertifolia
  4
  7
  
  O
  Used with 
  Lard, it 
  helps swellings and pains in the secret parts.
   A �erennial growing to about 18 inches high 
  with broad leaves at ground level a squarish stalk 
  and long spike of lilac or pinkish-white flowers.
  Exce¬ent for the womb.
  B
  bunny T
  tail
  (common)
   It opens disruptions and is cleaning and healing.
  It helps the ye¬ow jaundice, and dropsy and the 
  It ki¬s and repels worms in the be¬y and causes a good color in the face and body.
   It strengthens as we¬ as carrots diseases of the stomach, liver, and spleen.
    It helps the cough, sneezings, shortness of breath and defects of the veins and
  bladder, expe¬ing gravel and stone. Used with honey it heals old ulcers
  and fistulas in the legs.
  
  U
  For High Blood pressure
   due to stress, combine in 
  equal parts with Scullcap 
  and Lime blossoms.
   
  For nervous conditions,
   combine with scullcap 
  and
   Mistletoe. The dose of 
  the
  mixtures when infused is
    from one teaspoonful 
   to 2 fluid ounces.
  It has an opening and cleansing quality
  and, therefore, very eƒectual for 
  removing obstructions of the liver, gall
  bladder and spleen and diseases arising
  from them, such as jaundice. Also 
  delicious with dip. 
  Foeniculum vulgare
  F
  fENNEL
  On its own, it is a good remedy for
  coughs and colds, but may be combined with
  remedies such as Colt's foot and Horehound.
    In the early stages of colds and fevers,
  the warm infusion will induce sweating
  and may be combined with yarrow.
   Its astringent properties make it of use
  in acute diarrhoea.
  
  It opens obstructions and is cleansing and healing. It helps the yellow jaundice, and dropsy and 
  the gout. It kills and expels worms in the belly and causes a good color in the face and body.  It 
  strengthens as well as correts diseases of the stomach, liver and spleen.  It helps the cough, 
  sneezings, shortness of breath and defects of the veins and bladder, expelling gravel and stone. 
  Used with honey it heals old ulcers and fistulas in the legs.
  Used with Lard, it helps swellings and 
  pains in the secret parts.
    A perennial growing to about eight 
  inches high with broad leaves at ground 
  level a squarish stalk and long spike 
  of lilac or pinkish-white flowers.
  W V
  Pelargonium
  G
  geranium
  
  It has an opening and cleansing 
  quality and, therefore, very eƒectual 
  for removing obstructions of the 
  liver, gall bladder and spleen and 
  diseases arising from them, such as 
  jaundice. 
  For High Blood pressure
   due to stress, combine in equal 
  parts with Scullcap and 
  Lime bloßoms. 
    For nervous conditions, combine 
  with scu¬cap and Mistletoe. The 
  dose of the mixtures when infused 
  is from one teaspoonful to 2 fluid 
  ounces.
  An Herb of Jupiter
  (Self-Heal)
  H
  heal-All
  3
  
  Incense for consecrating talismans of Saturn: Combine alum, scammony, asafoetida, 
  sulphur, cypress, black hellebore, and ash leaves.  Burn in an earthen dish 
  and hold the talismans in the smoke.  
  Cauldron of Cerridwen Brew: Combine equal parts of acorns, barley, honey, ivy, 
  hellebore, and bay.  Boil water in a cauldron over an open fire. Place all 
  ingredients in the cauldron. (Do not drink) Sit before the simmering 
  cauldron & entrance yourself by watching the flames. Smell its mystic scent & 
  receive wisdom. 
  Black Hellebore
              Hélléborus niger
  0
  PN 
  �
  �
  �
  �
  �
  �
  �it is used for banishing and in necromancy. Cattle were once
  �
  �
  �
  �
  �
  �      blessed with black hellebore to protect them against malign
   influences and evil spells, and                 apparently a ritual was involved in digging it up. Black hellebore is also an 
  ingredient in an incense for consecrating talismans of Saturn.  Agrippa recommended it as part of a fumitory for 
  raising spirits of Mars, and it goes  into the Cauldren of Cerridwen Brew.  a tincture of black hellebore was used in 
  single drop doses as a drastic purgative in mental illness or to slow a rapid heart, but in larger doses it causes death 
  by convulsions and heart failure.
  S
  Associated with
  Saturn, Water, 
  and Mars
  
  1. A fern, including some rootstock, is cleaned carefu¬y by hand, to remove soil. 
  2. The thick Rhizome, which otherwise would be unpressable, is sliced in half 
  lengthwise with the ever-handy pocketknife. Some other parts have to be adjusted the 
  same way.
  3. The specimen is positioned at one end of a wide sheet of unprinted newsprint, 
  which will be folded over on top of it.
  4. The newsprint is just one layer that goes inside the press: there is also thick 
  blotter paper on each side of the newsprint, and currogated cardboard layers on both 
  sides of that. The press is merely two wooden frames and adjustable straps that hold 
  © layers together tightly. In the absence of a press, plants could be layered 
  throughout a phone book, with paper towel replacing the layer of newsprint and 
  newsprint substituting for © blotter papers.
  5. Sometimes a specimen is too tall for the press, as an iris is. but one needs a 
  record of the true size of the plant, so he folds it.
  6. The iris is labeled and dated as to when and where it was collected: if the 
  flower is moist or delicate, wax paper is placed over it to keep it intact when th 
  nwesprint is lifted, before the press is closed and placed in a dry, ventilated spot for 
  up to several days. Succulent plants will take longer and require new blotter paper 
  daily. 
  F
  flower Pre§§ing
  
  Burn to be rid of fould demons, wrathful
   spirits, tax collectors, drunks, and other 
  noisome creatures. Stanmd back and hold your 
  nose—or better still leave the room while this 
  incense
    is smoldering. those herbs marked with an 
  asterisk above aren't necessarily dangerous or
   baneful, but they emit powerful smoke that 
  is irritating to the eyes, nose and lungs. 
  "Raise the Dead" Incense
    1 part Pepperwort
     1 part Red Storax
      1 pinch Saƒron
       a few drops Musk oil
  Compound and fumigate about the tombs
   and graves of the dead. This will 
  cause spirits and ghosts to gather, 
   at least according to ancient writings.
  Spirits Depart Incense 
   1 part Calamint
    1 part Peony
     1 part Mint
      1/4 part Castor Beans*
  Burn out of doors to drive away a¬
   evil spirtis and vain imaginings.
   If you wish to use this formula, 
  substitute a few drops of castor oil
   for the beans, as these are poisonous.
  Spirits Depart Incense #2 
     2 parts Fennel seed
       2 parts Di¬ seed
         1/2 part Rue
     Another like the above. 
  “For Emergencies" Incense 
  (Caution)
  (Caution)
  Sandalwood
     Curls
  T o  m a k e  i n c e n s e
    Grind together in mortar and pestle combination of 
    the fo¬owing, then store in a bo†le or empower and use:
  2 or more Herb portions: Rosemary, Cedar, Thyme, 
  Sandalwood, Rose, Bay, Cinnamon, Juniper, Pine, Basil, etc.
  1 Gum Resin portion: Frankincense, Myrrh, Benzoin, 
  Arabic, Mastic, Copal, Dragon’s Blood, etc.
  Liquids: Essential Oils, Wine, Honey, etc.
                  Sweet scents are for positive goals.
                  foul scents are for banishing.
  Combustible incense contains potassium nitrate (cones, stick, paper) and can smolder by 
  itself. This creates stream of smoke. Non-combustible (powder form) is sprinkled on 
  charcoal blocks in censers. This creates puƒs of smoke. 
  3 parts Frankincense
   2 part Dragon's Blood
    2 parts Myrrh
     1 part Rosemary
  1 part Asafoetida*
   1 part Cayenne*
    1 part Grains of Paradise
     1 part Rue*
  1 part Garlic*
  WS
  
  1 part Rosemary
    1 part Juniper be®ies
  Burn to speed healing while visualising.
  HEALING INCENSE
  U
  Healing Incen§e # 4
  3 parts Myrrh
    1 �art Rose Petals
    1 �art Eucalyptus
       1 �inch Saƒfron
        a few dro�s Cedarwood Oil
  Healing Incen§e # 5
  2 parts Juniper berries
      1 �art Rosemary
  Juniper 
     Berries
    Healing Incen§e # 2
  2 parts Myrrh
   1 part Cinnamon
    1 pinch Saƒron
  Another like the above.
   
  Healing Incen§e # 3
  3 parts Myrrh
   2 parts Nutmeg
    1 part Cedar
     1 part Clove
  1/2 part Lemon Balm
   1/2 part Po�y seeds
    a few drops Pine oil
     a few drops Almond oil
  A third like the above. 
  Cinnamon Sticks
  
  H G I
    love incense
  1 part Sandalwood
    1/2 part Basil
      1/2 part Bergamot
         a few drops Rose oil
           a few drops Lavendar oil
  Burn to a†ract love, to strengthen the love you
  have, and to expand your ability to give and
  receive love.
  Love Incen§e # 2
   2 parts Dragon's Blood
     1 part Orris
       1/2 part Cinnamon
  1/2 part Rose petals
    a few drops Musk oil
      a few drops Patchouly oil
   2 parts Frankincense
    1 part Dragon's Blood
     1/2 part Wood Betony
  Burn for both physical and psychic protection while 
  visualizing.
   Protection Incen§e # 2
  2 parts Frankincense
   1 part Sandalwood
    1/2 part Rosemary
  Another like the above.
    Protection Incen§e # 3
  1 part Frankincense
   1 part Myrrh
    1/2 part Clove
  A third like the above.
   Protection Incen§e # 4
  2 parts Frankincense
   1/2 part Cumin
  Protection Incen§e # 5
  4 parts Frankincense
   3 parts Myrrh
    2 parts Juniper berries
      1 part Rosemary
       1/2 part Avens
  1/2 part Mugwort
   1/2 part Yarrow
    1/2 part St. John's Wort
     1/2 part Angelica
       1/2 part Basil
   Protection Incen§e # 6
  2 parts Frankincense
   1 part Copal
    1 part Dragon's Blood
  protection incense
  
  1 pinch Rosemary
   2 pinches Thyme
    2 tsp. Black Tea
     1 pinch Coriander
  3 fresh Mint leaves
   5 fresh Rosebud petals
    5 fresh Lemon tree leaves
     3 pinches Nutmeg
       3 pieces Orange peel
    Place all ingredients into teapot. 
  Boil three cups or so of water and add to the pot.
   Sweeten with honey, if desired. Serve hot. 
  5 parts Rose petals
    1 part Clove
     1 part Nutmeg
      1 part Lavender
       1 part Ginger
      Make in the usual way, preferably in an earthen pot. 
  Add this mixture to tea, or serve alone to increase the passions. 
  Aphrodisia
                       a  p a s s i o n  d r i n k  
  Aphrodisia #2
  
  3 parts Rosemary
    1 part Bay
      1 pinch Cayenne
  Mix, add one teaspoon mixture to a cup, pour
   boiling over the herbs and let steep for nine 
  minutes, covered. Drink a few teaspoons a 
   day, or add to the bath.
   
     Cayenne pepper is marked here with 
  a caution because it is a strong herb. 
  Use with care and respect.
  EXORCISM BREW
  C A U T I O N !
  
  3 parts Rue
   2 parts Rosemary
    1 part Vetivert
     1 part Hyssop
      1 part Mistletoe
  Brew as usual, strain and anoint
   each window and door of the 
  house. Pour the rest down the
   drains to safeguard them. 
  1 part Rosemary
   1 part Sage
    1 part Thyme
     1 part Cinnamon
  Half fill a blue-glass bo†le 
   with fresh water. Add the 
  ground, empowered herbs to it
   ant let this sit in the Sun all 
  day. If by sunset the water
   has been colored by the herbs, it 
  is ready for use. If not,
   store in the refrigerator 
  overnight and steep in the Sun 
  the follwoing day. Straing. 
  Anoint the body or add to bath 
  water while visualizing yourself 
  as being in pefect health. 
  PROTECTION BREW
       (CAUTION)
  ISIS HEALING BREW
  Do not drink!
  T
  AB
  C
  
  M
  Place 4 oz. of castile soap, 
   cut into cubes, into a heat proof
  non-metallic container. Add nearly
   boiling water. Let cool slightly. 
  Mix together with hands. 
  Let sit for 9 minutes. 
   Mix together oils and empower. 
  Add to soap mixture. Divide into
   3 or 4 parts. Wrap and tie 
  into cheescloth. Hang in warm
   place for three days.
  Powdered ultramarine pigments, oat bran, 
    tapioca, and cinnamon are some of the 
  ingredients that find their way
    into Woodspirits soaps. 
  Paprika is sifted into a bucket 
        of Portuguese Breakfast soap.
  8
  9
  Cloves
  Silver
  Birchbark
  Senna Pods
  To Make Hard Soap
  
  6
                                                                         Rolled Candles
    These candles are made from softened sheets of solid beeswax.
  Heat an electric griddle to three hundred-fifty degrees or an oven to two hundred-fifty degrees. 
    If using a griddle, lay a sheet of wax on a piece of terrycloth toweling that has been cut to size. Heat for three 
  or four minutes. When the sheet is warm and pliable, remove it quickly and place on a work surface. To soften 
  in an oven, place the sheet on a towel-covered cookie sheet and warm for two minutes. Using a mat knife, cut 
  the wax to the desired height of the candle. 
          Two candles are di�ed at once, one at either end of a wick. 
  Melt beeswax or paraffin in a double boiler. The container for the wax can be a candle-dipping pot or
   any pot tall enough to accommodate the length of candle you're making; it should be placed in a stockpot 
  about half full of water set over an electric burner on high heat. Monitor the temperature with a candy
   thermometer; it should remain below two hundred degrees. Because heated wax can ignite, never leave it 
  unattended, and lower the heat immediately if you smell the wax burning or if it starts to smoke. Two to 
  three pounds of wax may require an hour or more to melt. The color can be deepened with shaving
   from a block of darker beeswax or wax-dye pellets. 
       As the wax is melting, pepare the wick: Cut a length of wicking that will leave enough room
   for dipping a candle on each end. Tie weights to wick ends—try fishing weights, metal nuts, or several
   pennies stuck together with bits of soft wax. Use fifteen-ply wicking for thin tapers, twenty-four-ply for
   candles thicker than half an inch. 
        Test the temperature of the wax and seal the wick by dipping the ends, up to the desired length of 
  the candles, into the melted wax. It should harden four seconds after the wick is removed (at
   about 165 degrees). To make the candles: Hold the wick at the midpoint, dip the ends into the wax, then 
  plunge the candles into cold water. Repeat this process until the candles reach the desired diameter.
   Hang the finished candles over a broom balanced on two chair backs, making sure the candles don't touch. 
  Allow them to harden for a day in a cool, draft-free spot. With a mat knife, slice off the
   weights and redip the ends to finish the taper bottoms.
  1. Lay a length of wicking (slightly longer than the wax) 
     along one end of the sheet. Roll the wax, keeping the
     ends even.
  2. To make a square candle, press down as you roll the 
     wax until you have four flat sides. 
  3. When the candle has reached the desired dimensions, 
      slice off excess wax. For an outer skin of different
      hue, roll the cooled candle in another sheet of 
       softened wax. 
  4. To finish the candle and erase the seam, roll it quickly
      on a metal bar (available from scrap-metal dealers) that
      has been heated on the griddle or in the oven. For a
      square candle, press each side against the bar. 
   5. Smooth rough edges with a warm metal tool such as a
      palette knife or a trowel. 
  Dipped candles
  C
  ca n d l e  l o r e
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Call of Cthulhu (CoC) (BRP) [multi]/EXTRA/IRL Props/Prop FIles/PracticalHerbal.pdf