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Cowslip

Primula veris

Fairy Cup, Herb Peter, Key Flower, Our Lady's Keys, Password, Cuy lippe (Anglo-Saxon), Paralysio (Greek)

Native to

Europe and Western Asia, British Isles (esp.) 

A majority of the Witchlist's Garden include naturalized species that now live across the globe, for history's sake we include it's nativity.


Parts Used:

  • Flower

  • Leaf

  • Roots

Medicinal Actions

Note: This information is for historical and ceremonial use only, this information is not FDA-regulated or approved. When considering the Medicinal properties, do not forget that the species, application, and parts used are critical. And please read all warnings. 

  • Antispasmodic: Relieves involuntary movements such as ticks and siezures 

  • (Note: many antispasmodics have the opposite effect depending on your neurology, consult your doctor).

  • Anxiolytic: Calms, soothes anxiety and mental distress

  • Emollient: Softens or smoothes the skin

  • Expectorant: Promotes the secretion of the gunk in your resparatory system, typically used to treat coughs

  • Nervine: literally calms the nerves

Divinities & Mythos

  • Freyja (Norse)

Plant Energies

Over the course of millenia, various religions, physical sciences, diviners and star gazers, etc. have come to assign energies. This is perfectly synopsized by JD Walker in A Witch's Guide to Wildcraft:

Plants can be hot, cold, wet, or dry. They are assigned to or governed by one of seven (or nine [by including the Moon and Sun], depending on your outlook) heavenly bodies. People assigned these characteristics based on where a plant grew, what it looked like, and what effect it had on the humans and animals that came in contact with the plant.

  • Planet(s): Venus

  • Element(s): Water

  • Gender: Feminine

Warning: Pregnancy + Anticoagulants

Do not use cowslip if you are pregnant or using anticoagulants.


It is suggested that if you are on medications, you definitely speak to your medical professional before use.

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Magical Properties

  • Fairy Magic

  • Find Lost Item

  • Healing

  • Youthfulness

Talk to your Doctor/Medical Professional before adding any Supplements, herbal teas, Infusions, etc.

Part of the reason that we list medical jargin is because many plants can interfere with or even counteract medications we already take or it can exacerbate ailments we already have. 

When talking to your Medical Professional, we suggest asking what "actions" an herb might do to interfere 
with your health, either positive of negative. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, a Cholagogue which creates more bile may not be advantageous. Too much of a good thing, eh?

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