Question about Herbs!

I'm just getting into herbs, especially the ones locally grown here in Ontario Canada. What a good time too as its spring an they will soon be blossoming. Anyways I was told that mugwort here in Ontario and worms wood grow widely a lot. But they are not the same species they use in Europe or America. Its a cousins species so that got me thinking. Will a cousin species still have the same effects as to the original species in magick and especially inhaling as used in incense?

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It is always good to research any species as it may hold different properties. They can also be harmful if inhaled. I always say to do your research and keep a notebook handy to write all of the information that you find on varified sites and books. Even though they may be cousins they can have different properties that can harm or not align with what you are working on. For instance the tomatoe is in the nightshade family but you can eat the tomatoe fruit. Nightshade is poisoness but the tomatoe is not. So always research before using any herb. This is not just to for finding out what spells can be worked with them, it shows what can harm you as well. So be diligent in your research and notes. And always work with safty first as some can be harmful to the touch as well.

If you use the search bar on this site it will bring up information on herbs from this site and google. There have been many members who write about herbs and have posted herb information for others to view. They give the magickal properties as as well as if they are toxic so try searching here first, it may answer your questions and give you a lot more answers.

Hope this helps,

Blessed Be

It's best to just make sure and do some reasearch before you try substituting a different plan, even if they are in the same family.

Thank you both of you! Do any of you or know of any ways I can tell if it is a cousin plant or not. Or know of any websites that off the information / knowledge I seek, even books or videos!

again thank you for your insight I really appreciate it,

Use the search bar on this site. Put in the herb and it will bring up anything anyone has say about it in the articles, forum, spellbooks, etc. as well as google sites. I like using it myself for this purpose.

Hello again Nod,

To clarify on the mugwort post, I was speaking about both Artemisia Argyi which is found across Asia (I was talking mainly about this one) and the Artemisia Vulgaris which is the common one, found across Europe, North America and I do believe in Canda too.
For future reference however, yes even closely related cousins of each species may become a risk if careful research is not done because one may contain a toxin that the other doesn`t. Also when using herbs unless you are absolutely confident, I would purchase my herbs instead of identifing them in the wild. The risk is just too high. If however you want it to be natural and fresh plucked straight from the soil, I would suggest starting a herb garden :) Its just so rewarding and there is so much pay off in doing so.

If however you are using the herbs symbolically in a ritual for example, I wouldn`t worry too much of how specific the specie is, it is symbolic after all so even if you couldn`t find a particular herb, one that is similar enough in meaning should do.

Here is a link to a site that might help you with info about herbs
http://www.witchipedia.com I hope this helps!

If you really have to, you can get the herbs shipped to your house, if possible.