The idea that certain herbs can be effective for general protection is an ancient spiritual folklore that's believed by many people today. Herbs like sage and lavender are thought to promote peace and tranquility, and to protect the home.
But how are herbs used for protection? Is this practice shown to be effective? Which herbs do spiritual healers recommend? And are there any better alternatives?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we explain which herbs are traditionally used for protection, share our concerns about this practice, and offer a few alternative options.
We'll also feature videos from spiritual healers about herbs they use for protection.
How Are Herbs Used For Protection?
Humans are subject to making emotional decisions rather than rational ones, especially when it comes to feelings like safety and security.
For thousands of years, herbal folklore of various disciplines has suggested that specific herbs can foster a sense of protection. This protection is usually suggested to exist in a spiritual rather than a physical sense.
In 2021, a major health publisher Well & Good featured a “green witch” in an article on herbal rituals. The witch claimed that herbs like lavender could be incorporated into “mystical self-care practices.”
Sage is another herb which is often considered to remove negative energy in an indoor dwelling when burned.
There exist hundreds of other magical remedies of herbs for protection online; some suggesting inhalation via vapor, some suggesting cultivation in a garden and some suggesting supplementation.
What you’ll notice is that all of these solutions are vague and there is no standard practice, because this is a spiritual rather than scientific approach.
We respect cultural and religious practices, and we believe deeply in the ability of certain herbal remedies like red ginseng, which are backed by significant clincal research, to be able to heal and strengthen the body.
However, we can't recommend treatments with absolutely no basis in any science at all like using herbs for protection.
Real People Try Herbs for Protection
A YouTube creator named "The Green Witch" has a video featuring three "herbal protection spells" with over 130,000 views:
A YouTube creator named "The Botanical Witch" has a video featuring nine "must have" herbs for protection:
Why it Won’t Work
For an herbal remedy to be considered effective for a given purpose, there should be published research testing it and finding the results to be successful.
We can't identify any clinical research suggesting that herbs are effective for general protection, and therefore we have no reason to believe they are.
Regardless of what an herbalist or “green witch” suggests, we would consider buying herbs for protection to be a waste of time and money.
Certain folklore remedies have actually been tested in medical studies and shown to be effective, such as ceylon cinnamon extract's significant research backing in regard to cholesterol and blood sugar support, but that is not the case with any herbs suggested to help with protection.
Our Mental Wellness Recommendation
For individuals considering herbs for protection, we think therapy may be a better investment of time and money.
Brightside Health is our top online therapy pick, as this platform connects patients with licensed therapists and doctors from the comfort of their home.
A medical review published in the Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy journal found that online therapy was equally effective to in-person therapy for treating depression, anxiety and PTSD. Therapy may be a good first option for patients who want to avoid the side effects of medication.
Brightside also can connect patients with licensed psychiatrists that can prescribe medication. Some patients choose only therapy, some choose only medication, and some choose both. The brand reports that 86% of members feel significantly better within 12 weeks of treatment.
Patients with and without health insurance can use Brightside. For many patients with health insurance, treatment is entirely covered by insurance.
The cost for medication without health insurance is capped at $95/month, and the cost for therapy without health insurance is capped at $299/month at the time of updating this article.
Interested patients can check out Brightside at this link to the brand's official website.
