Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs - Scott Cunningham 1985

Ragwort
The Herbs

(Senecio vulgaris, S. jacobaea, S. spp) X

Folk Names: Cankerwort, Dog Standard, Fairies’ Horses, Ragweed, St. James’ Wort, Staggerwort, Stammerwort, Stinking Nanny, Stinking Willie

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus

Element: Water

Powers: Protection

Magical Uses: The Greeks used the ragwort as an amulet against charms and spells, and Witches were said to ride upon ragwort stalks at midnight in the bad old days of the persecutions.