Botanical History
Old world Stregheria contained much of the sexism of the Salem Witch Trials, but the plant based medicine still remains
Stregheria, often referred to as Italian witchcraft, is a modern revival of pre-Christian spiritual and magical traditions rooted in Italy. Its origins trace back to ancient southern Mediterranean pagan practices honoring deities like Diana, the moon goddess. Over time, these beliefs blended with elements of Roman religion and folklore.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Italian folk magic, herbalism, and divination practices were often marginalized or suppressed by the Church, leading to secrecy among practitioners. Despite persecution, elements of these traditions survived within some urban but mostly rural communities, passed down orally or through secret family traditions.
Southern Mediterranean magic is deeply connected to plant-based medicine through its historical roots in folk magic and healing traditions. Practitioners, often referred to as streghe (witches), historically served as herbalists and healers in rural communities near the south or along the sea coast. This role was vital in times when formal medical care was inaccessible, making plant-based remedies an essential part of daily life — sustaining rural communities generation after generation.
Knowledge about plants and their uses was often passed down orally within families, preserving both practical and mystical practices over generations. Ferrara’s research brings oral family histories to light.
In some cases, the modern Stregheria movement is a revival and reinterpretation of traditional Italian witchcraft, combining ancient pagan practices, folk magic, and spiritual beliefs with contemporary neopagan ideas. It emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily in the United States, as practitioners sought to reclaim and preserve Italian spiritual heritage while adapting it to modern lifestyles.
The movement gained traction in the United States among Italian-Americans seeking to reconnect with their cultural roots and among neopagans drawn to its rich folklore and spiritual depth. Today, it continues to grow, with practitioners sharing knowledge through books, online communities, and workshops. It stands as both a celebration of Italian heritage and a dynamic spiritual path for modern seekers.
Streghe utilized local herbs, plants, and roots for their medicinal properties. Remedies were crafted for physical ailments, emotional well-being, and spiritual protection. Common herbs like rosemary, sage, garlic, and fennel held both practical and symbolic significance, but in her research Emilia Ferrara discovered so much more.
Along the mediterranean, in southern Spain and France as well, plants were believed to carry spiritual energy, making them tools for spells, charms, and amulets. For example, rue (ruta) was used for protection, and lavender was used for purification and peace. The plant-based ingredients were then combined with prayers or rituals to amplify their effects. In some cases, flowers, fruits, and herbs were offered to gods and spirits as acts of devotion.
@stregheria_sarracenia
58.1K followers on TikTok
Ferrara’s research for her first book (Mag World 2017) on Ayurveda inspired her research into Mediterranean plant based medicine. Stregheria and Ayurveda, while rooted in different cultural and historical contexts, share holistic and nature-centered approaches to life, health, and spirituality. Both systems emphasize balance, interconnectedness, and the use of natural elements for healing and well-being. Both modern Stregheria and Ayurveda reflect humanity’s deep connection to nature and its wisdom, emphasizing aura personalis (care of the whole person), respect for natural cycles, and the use of plant-based remedies for healing. After incorporating Ayurveda into her own life, Ferrara discovered her own Neapolitan family’s roots shared their principles, making complementary systems for those seeking holistic and spiritually grounded approaches to life.
In her non-fiction exploration, Ferrara connects Eastern practices like Ayruveda to Western traditions; including folk magic from Southern Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia; Hellenic plant medicine from mainland Greece, Crete, and the Greek islands; Anatolian herbalism from Turkey; Andalusian and Romani Folk Magic from Spain and Catalonia; oral traditions passed down from Malta and Gozo; as well as Occitan and Provençal plant medicine from southern France. Their syncretism (blending ancient pagan practices with Christianity, Islam, or Judaism) is all connected by a reverence for nature, a mastery of botany, and the delightful pharmacopeia of plant based medicine.
The Bonnefont Cloister Herb Garden (located within the Met Cloisters, in Manhattan) holds one of the most specialized plant collections in the world. The inspiration of their plant list is a ninth-century edict of the emperor Charlemagne, naming 89 species to be grown on his estates. This list has been supplemented by herbals and monastic records, as well as archaeological evidence. The garden contains many species of folk magic plant medicine including Rosemary Rue (Ruta graveolens), Basil, Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis), Sage, Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), Vervain (Verbena officinalis), Mandrake Root, Thyme, Garlic, Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Hawthorn, Lavender, St. John’s Wort, Yarrow, Mandrake Root, Angelica Root, Valerian Root, Dandelion Root, and High John the Conqueror Root.