Andromeda DavisEven if you don’t have a green thumb, you can benefit from the herbs and healing plants that correspond to your sign of the Zodiac. These plants can help balance your sign’s negative traits and emphasize your strengths.
Many of these plants are available as essential oils, but you can also benefit from using them in teas and other recipes or simply by planting a pot of them at your home.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Aries and eucalyptus are a match made in the stars. The cooling menthol scent of eucalyptus manages to clear your mind and soothe your spirit at the same time.
Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a cotton ball, close your eyes, and breathe deeply when you need to find calm.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
It makes sense that Taurus would be linked to a culinary herb like thyme. This woodsy herb is widely used in cooking, but it’s also a cleansing herb that invokes positive energy and restful sleep.
Fill a small sachet with dried thyme and tuck it in a desk drawer to help you feel more optimistic when you hit an obstacle at work.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Geminis struggle with a mind that just won’t slow down. While that’s great when ideas are sparking and conversation is flowing, even Geminis need downtime. Lavender is a wonderful herb for calm and peace.
Fill a sachet with dried lavender and place it under your pillow for a relaxing night’s sleep.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Cancer is very protective of her home and her family. That’s why she needs a little help from purifying sage to make the space safe and remove negative energy.
If you’ve never tried traditional smudging with a sage wand, give it a chance!
Leo (July 23-August 22)
Leo is all about appearances, so what better than a dramatic sunflower to represent this sign of the Zodiac? Leo is ruled by the Sun, so it’s only fitting.
If you’re feeling down, place a vase of sunflowers in the room where you spend most of your time for an instant pick-me-up.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
Virgo is nothing if not practical. Mint helps clear your head, calm your digestion, and stay focused on your latest project.
Try drinking a cup of hot peppermint tea with a little honey the next time you feel like your focus is slipping.
Libra (September 23-October 22)
Libra is secretly a romantic–that’s what happens when your ruling planet is Venus! Roses appeal to Libra’s love of beauty and romance, but they’re good for more than just decoration. Roses attract love and protect you from negative energy.
Make your own potpourri from dried rose petals and a few drops of rose essential oil. Give it a sniff whenever your mood needs a boost!
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Scorpio is linked to basil–the spicier, the better! Basil has ties to scorpions in both African and Greek folklore.
It’s also a protective herb, so keep a pot of basil on your porch or in your kitchen window to ward off negative energy.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
There’s nothing quite like the fresh, clean scent of balsam fir! Sagittarius is attracted to this evergreen, which is linked to travel and creativity.
Diffuse some balsam fir essential oil when you feel restless or bored.
Capricorn (December 23-January 20)
Capricorn’s special herb is rosemary. This aromatic plant is tenacious, delicious, and widely used by different cultures for protection and cleansing.
Cut sprigs of fresh rosemary and twist them into a small wreath to hang in your kitchen or office.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Aquarius can benefit from cloves, either as an essential oil or as a kitchen spice. Clove is deeply warming and grounding–something that Aquarius often needs when she gets overwhelmed by the world’s problems.
Put a few whole cloves along with some chopped orange peel in a small saucepan with a few cups of water. Let it simmer over the lowest heat setting to fill your home with the delicious fragrance. Just don’t forget to take it off the stove!
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
Although it’s not as widely known as many culinary herbs, mugwort is used in many magical traditions around the world. It’s linked to psychic powers and lucid dreams.
If you want to get in touch with your intuition, sleep with a sachet of dried mugwort under your pillow.
Shea Lee
