VALERIAN

Wear it in your girgle to attract men.

VENUS'S-BASIN

See Vervain.

VERVAIN

(or Verbena, the name of the genus of the plant, or Pisterion)-also called the herb of Venus, vervain is used in potions for love and fertility. If you've rubbed your hands with it, whoever you touch will be magically made to love you. Worn as an amulet, a sprig of vervain makes the bearer courageous and lucky and cures fever and poisoning. When worn or hung about the house, it prevents witchcraft and the casting of the evil eye. For this purpose, gather the herb at midsummer. One who sleeps with vervain near will be free of nightmares. Carry vervain with you to keep dogs from barking at you. Placed in the house or buried in one's fields, it will make his wealth or possessions increase. The bruised root of vervain worn around the neck prevents diseases of the head. Gather the plant at the rising of the dog star when neither sun nor moon is out. "If a man gathers vervain the first day of the new moon, before sun rising, and drink the juice thereof, it will make him to avoid lust for seven years. See Satyrion.

VETCH

(Vicia Carolinina)-one of the most highly valued Cherokee herbs. Rub it on after scratching to toughen your muscles; drink a dedoction for back pain; rub it on your stomach for cramp. Take it with Life Everlasting (q.v.) for rheumatism or colds.

VINEGAR

In China it was vaporized in red-hot cast-iron pots to rid a house of evil influences and disease, or to increas wealth.

VULTURE

The vulture has magical virtues similar to those of the eagle (q.v.) but not so intense.