In my novel, DISENCHANTED, sixteen-year-old Sophie, a white witch, has to learn a little bit about the exotic plants from her quirky aunt’s enchanted garden. During my research for this part of the novel, I discovered a lot of interesting applications for the everyday and not-so-everyday plants around us. Below are a few that will appear in the book.

Devil’s Bit– A small purple meadow flower and a good source of nectar, which Sophie applies to her lips everyday to help her lie (this only works for Wethersfield witches), because when you’re a witch in a small, Puritanical town, you need a little help blending in with the ordinaries.

White Willow Bark– A natural anti-inflammatory and hemorrhoid reliever–in powder form, of course.  Sophie jokingly wants to apply it all over Zeke Mather, Alexavier’s taunting older brother.

Munstead Lavender– Sophie’s pillow is filled with the summery scent to help her sleep through her haunted dreams, but lavender can’t compete with the tenacity of a four-hundred-year-old witch’s spirit.

Calendula/Chickweed– Combined in a teabag, cooled, and applied to Sophie’s eyes, this powerful anti-inflammatory reduces puffiness from her sleepless nights.

Annatto– Wards off evil and eases stomach distress, but this natural pigment from achiote seed pods also tints Sophie’s teeth orange which does little to impress the glitterati who already think she’s weird.

Lemon verbena, valerian, and rose petals– The fragrant combination brings lovers together and, as Sophie inhales the perfumed scent, her bad boy love interest, who happens to be her family’s enemy and devastatingly handsome with a to-die-for British accent, enters the scene.