Metaphysical Properties of Deer's Tongue
Liatris odoratissima
Other Names: Vanilla Leaf, Wild Vanilla, Hound’s Tongue, Feuille de Vanille, Carphephorus
Planet(s): Mars
Element(s): Fire
Gender: Masculine
Primary Associations: Lust, Psychic Power
Deer’s Tongue gets its name because of its leaves’ shape; they are long and narrow with a reddish-purple streak. It is commonly found in damp, flat pine woods of the coastal region from North Carolina to Florida.
Deer’s Tongue has a chemical called coumarin, which is found in crystals on the leaves’ upper side; this gives the herb its signature vanilla scent. The plant has clusters of deer-tongue-shaped leaves, three-to-five-foot central flower stalks, and purple flowers that bloom in late summer. The leaves can grow to nearly 10 inches long.
Common Magickal Uses and Folklore Deer's Tongue
- Deer’s Tongue can be worn, carried, or sprinkled on a bed to attract men and aid in increasing psychic powers. Deer’s Tongue is a sweet-smelling herb useful in work for sweet speech.
- It is used in court casework so the lawyer is convincing and eloquent and can be used similarly for public speaking.
- Deer’s Tongue can also be added to a honey pot spell when you need to sweet talk your target.
- It was also once used to stop people from spreading gossip and for honesty.
- The soft vanilla scent can be slightly trance-inducing and could be useful during works of divination.
- It is also believed that if a man carries Deer’s Tongue wrapped in red silk, he will be able to talk his woman into marrying him.
- Deer’s Tongue is wonderful for Lust, Love, and Luck in Love. It is said to help one get a marriage proposal.
- Deer’s Tongue is also said to draw psychic awareness. Burn-in incense to draw spiritual awareness.
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Deer’s Tongue is also said to help one win at court.
Other Metaphysical Properties of Deer's Tongue
Medicinal Uses: The leaves can brew a warm, bitter, diuretic tea used to reduce fevers and cleanse the blood. Deer’s Tongue has been used for its diuretic effects and applied locally for sore throats and gonorrhea. Native Americans used to make Deer’s Tongue mixtures that were used as stimulants and sweat-inducing agents. Deer’s Tongue was also shown some effectiveness in treating malaria.
Culinary Uses: The leaves of Deer's Tongue give off a vanilla-like odor when crushed, so it was once collected to flavor pipe and cigarette tobacco, as well as a fragrance in cosmetics and soaps. Deer’s Tongue leaves can be added to a salad as a substitute for lettuce.