TACAMAHAC TREE

The resin from this tree was made into a paste by American Indian and applied to the forehead to cure a headache, to the navel to cure hysteria.

TAMARIND

Used in Eastern love charms.

TAPIR

Water in which its scorched hoofs have been placed was drunk against snakebites and fits; a cure for epilepsy was to grind up the hoofs and hang a packet of the powder around the suffer's neck (Guianan Indian).

TARO

Eat the root to stregthen eyesight.

TEASEL

A tall, burred roadside plant. To remove freckles and warts, bathe your face in the water that stands in the hollow of the leaves at the base of the stalk.

THISTLE

A prickly, purple-flowerd plant. To cause hair to grow again, bathe the bald spot with thistle juice.

THORN APPLE

A poisonous, solanaceous plant of the genus Datura used by witches in ointments and potions.

THYME

A plant of the mint family, the fresh leaves of which are used in tea to treat asthma and other diseases of the lungs and nerves and to prevent nightmares.

TIGER

The whiskers of tigers are used in potions for love and potency and in amulets to bring love, luck, and wealth. Its tooth is a talisman for good luck in gambling. Its tooth, claw, or whiskers will protect you from attack by wild beasts or mad dogs (Ceylon). Wear a tigershaped amulet of wood, metal, or ivory to guard against disease. Bones of a tiger's head, roasted and pulverized in teas or water, cure nightmare or fever (Chinese). In China the tiger was one of the "five posions," used in protective amulets. See also Centipede; Lizard; Scorpion; Serpent; Toad; and the chapter on amulets.

TOAD

The magical essence of the toad is hateful and poisonous, and parts of the animal are therefore used extensively in charms of necromancy and against enemies. The toad may be magically identified with or baptized in the name of an enemy and them tortured or killed. The enemy will suffer corresponding pain. It is one of the Cinese "Five venomous animals,"which, however, keep away evil when worn together. See also Centipede; Lizard; Scorpion; Serpent; Tiger; and the chapter on amulets. If you kill a toad, according to the New England tradition, you will get as many warts as it has spots. See Toadstone.

TOADSTONE

A stone from a toad or sometimes from another animal. The toad may be induced to vomit it, or it may be obtained from the animal's head. One method is to hang the toad by its legs from the chimney and catch what comes out of its mouth in a dish of yellow wax. The toadstone acts as an antidote and detector of poisons, growing hot in their presence. The most efficient method of detection is to wear the toadstone in a ring, so that it touches the skin. The toadstone prevents boats from sinking and houses from burning.

TOPAZ

A gem of silicate of aluminum worn as an amulet for wisdom, wealth, and beauty, and against lust and greed. A topaz amulet also cures insanity.

TURQUOISE

Blue-green stone worn as an amulet for good fortune and against the evil eye. Turquoise changes color according to the health of its owner. It portects the owner from falls and fromenmity. It brings together a man and wife who have quarreled.

TURTLE

Amulets in the shpae of or containing parts of the tortoise are conducive to longevity, and the fertility of women. But the heart taken in a potion hinders lust. Its shell, when thrown into the fire, will keep a husband quiet. Its claw has been an ingredient of Indian spells and potions.

TURTLEDOVE

The heart of the turtledove is powdered and administered in love potions. Blood from its cut throat cures falling sickness.