VALERIAN

Valerian is useful as a digestive aid, in cases of gas, diarrhea & cramps & alleviates the pain of ulcers.
In the respiratory tract, it is believed to be of benefit in reducing the discomfort of asthma attacks.
Excellent for shortness of breath & wheezing.

Valerian has been used to relieve anxiety, restlessness, stress, headache, nervous stomach cramps, uterine cramps.
Valerian is excellent for treating 'the jitters' & even more severe cases such as hysteria, panic, anxiety & shock, as well as tension & nervous exhaustion.It can be helpful in tension headaches.
Valerian is used for irritability, mild spasmodic affections, epilepsy, migraine headaches, croup, hysteria, vertigo, nervous cough, delirium, muscle cramps, colic, panic attacks, emotional stress, PMS, menstrual cramps, despondency.
A marvelous remedy for fevers, will often clear a cold overnight.
Good for expelling phlegm from throat & chest.
Will expel worms when everything else fails.
Tea can be used as an enema for pinworms & tape worms & externally as a wash for sores, wounds, chronic skin diseases & pimples.
Combines with with lemon balm, hops, passion flower & scullcap.

It may also be effective in aphrodisiac blends for people who suffer frigidity or impotence caused by fear & inhibition.
Valerian is a warm & spicy herb that has a stimulating effect on the brain as well as being a sedative.
A powerful nerve stimulant & antispasmodic.
Sedative & pain-killer.
Valerian has been used as an anticonvulsant in epilepsy.
It slightly slows the heart & thus is a good remedy for palpitations.
It helps cure depression when taken once or twice.
It is a good sedative for such conditions as neuralgia, hypochondria, insomnia & nervous tension. It also appears to have real benefits in cases of sciatica, multiple sclerosis, shingles & peripheral neuropathy, including numbness, tingling, muscle weakness & pain in the extremities.

The tea is strengthening to the eyesight, especially when problems are due to weakness in the optic nerve.

Valerian is a great herb to promote restful sleeping & does not produce a long list of symptoms common to prescription sedatives.
It’s relaxing, yet allows for REM sleep & leaves you feeling refreshed in the morning without grogginess.
Of course the effectiveness of valerian, as with all plants, is dependent on the herb matching the person, rather than the condition.
For those people for whom valerian works, it works well. Some people, however, find it irritating & stimulating, rather than relaxing.
You’ll know the first time you try it.

PRECAUTIONS:

Valerian should not be used during pregnancy.
Because valerian is warming rather than cooling, excessive doses cause headaches, giddiness & agitation, proving the maxim that what soothes in small doses stimulates in large ones.
If you take too much valerian, you’ll begin to have a rubbery-like feeling in your muscles — like they are too relaxed — or a feeling of “heaviness.” Cut back the dosage so that you feel relaxed but alert.
Large doses can cause vertigo, nervous agitation, muscular spasms & hallucinations.
Poisoning may result if large amount of the tea are taken for more than 2 - 3 weeks.
Do not boil the root.
Consuming large amounts of valerian may cause blurred vision, restlessness, nausea & morning grogginess.

Do not take valerian if you are also taking conventional tranquilizers or sedatives.
Because valerian causes drowsiness, do not drive after taking it.
In some individuals, valerian causes excitability, mild headache, or upset stomach.
Valerian should not be used with other medications used to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Valerian doesn’t agree with everyone & for some people it can be irritating & stimulating, rather than calming & sedating.
Avoid taking large doses of valerian for an extended period of time; instead, use modest doses for just 2-3 weeks, with a week’s break before you begin taking the doses again.
Long term (more than 4-6 weeks) use can cause insomnia, pupil dilation & heart problems.

Valerian can cause upset stomach, mild headaches, dizziness & occasionaly, tiredness the next day.

Do not use valerian in a bath if you have an open wound, a skin problem such as psoriasis or excema, a fever, an infection, or heart problems.

RECIPES:

Harvest in the fall. Do not boil the root.

Valerian is well known to help insomniacs. You can choose to drink a cup of valerian tea or take a few drops of tincture before bed.
Valerian can also be used in a calming bath.
Chop or grind 75g dried valerian root add to 2 l of water, bring to the boil & simmer for 5 minutes. Cover & leave to infuse for 20 minutes.
Add to the evening bath.

To prepare an infusion, use 2 tsp of powdered herb per cup of water; steep for 10 minutes.
Strain & drink 1 cup before bed.
Reduces stress & eases headache pain.

To obtain the maximum benefit take 1 tbsp of fresh juice daily.

The latter is often prescribed as a cure for insomnia, where its great value is that it calms the mind without having a narcotic effect. Non-addictive.

Roots should be dried at a high temperature, such as 120 degrees F. until the roots are brittle. 

If they are rubber-like, they should be dried longer. Store roots after drying to keep free from moisture.

Cold extract: use 2 tsp. roots with 1 cup water; let stand for 24 hours & strain. 

Take 1/2 to 1 cup when going to bed.

Tincture: take 20 drops on sugar or in water, 3 times a day.

Tea: Steep 1 tsp dried valerian root in 1 cup water for 10 minutes. Strain. Drink 30 - 60 minutes before bed.

Valerian Tincture:

Prepare the fresh roots by mincing them finely & placing them firmly but gently packed into a jar.
Cover the roots with 50% proof vodka.
Keep the jar in a dark place, shaking it daily.
After 2 – 6 weeks strain off the plant material & compost.

Tension-Free Infusion:

2 parts valerian root
1 part hawthorn berry, leaf, flower
1 part lemon balm leaf
Prepare an infusion of the herbs & let the herbs steep for at least 45 minutes or even overnight. Alternatively, tincture the herbs in 80% proof alcohol.
For the tea, drink 2-3 cups daily.
For the tincture, take ½ -1 tsp 3x daily, or as often as needed.
Helpful in cases of muscle spasm, heart arrhythmia & anxiety.

Bronchial Infusion:

1 part licorice root
1 part valerian root
¼ part cinnamon bark
¼ part ginger root
Prepare an infusion of the herbs & let the herbs steep for at least 45 minutes or even overnight. Alternatively, tincture the herbs in 80% proof alcohol.
For the tea, drink 2-3 cups daily.
For the tincture, take ½ -1 tsp 3x daily, or as often as needed.
For treating deep spastic coughs.

Deep-Sleep Tincture:

1 part valerian root
½ part hops 
¼ part lavender flower
80% proof alcohol
Tincture the herbs in the alcohol.
Take 1 tsp an hour before bedtime & another 1 tsp just before going to bed.
If you do wake up in the night, take 1 - 2 tsp, as needed.

If you are the type of person who can’t sleep because you can’t stop thinking & your mind spins endlessly, add 1 part skullcap leaf (Scutellaria lateriflora).

Tea: 2 -3 cups daily, including 1 before bedtime

Pressed juice: 1 tbsp 3x daily for adults
1 tsp 3x daily for children

MAGIC:

Valerian can be used for exorcism & counter magic.
It is used in spells for protection, purification, harmony, peace, happiness, love, creative work & to attract money & riches.
In hoodoo, it can be used as a substitute for graveyard dirt.
It is believed that this plant have the properties of turning anything bad into good.
It is said to protect against lightening & against the evil sorcery.

Valerian is an herb of peace.
If two people drink Valerian infused wine from the same cup they will immediately stop to fight & argue.
Quarrels can be resolved in a home by placing valerian leaves around the house.
If you are fighting with a family member, place a sprig of valerian in each corner of your home. Putting it over each door will prevent strife & discontent from entering, but be warned, some people find that the smell of valerian reminds them of cat urine.
Growing the plant on your property ensures harmony with your spouse.

Valerian may smell raunchy, but it's also known as a plant of love & protection.
If you're a woman, pin a spring to your shirt to attract men your way.

Add to other herbs for love wishes.

To find out if your love is reciprocated, bend a plant in the direction of their home. If the plant continues to grow in that direction, you are loved in return.

Valerian is a frequent ingredient in love & harmony spells & potions, including spells for sexual love.

For protection from evil & magic, use Valerian in sachets, amulets, or talismans & carry it with you. 

Hang it in your home to protect against natural disasters, such as lightning strikes or fire.
Put valerian under pillow to help prevent nightmares.
A few leaves placed in the shoes protect against colds & flu.

Also associated with Samhain & Yule, this European herb was favored in Eclectic medicine for treatment of short-term depression; this coincides with its ritual use for relieving self-condemnation & developing self-acceptance.

Sprinkle valerian at the front door to deter unwanted visitors, or hang the leaves around the home to promote harmony among loved ones.

Combine valerian with other herbs & crystals in sachets or amulets to use for protection, or in a dream-pillow to ward off nightmares.
You can make a nice valerian incense by combining it 2:1 with white sandalwood.
This herb is especially good in forest blends or for evoking animal spirits without using animal ingredients.
Valerian is a cleansing herb & can be used to purify ritual spaces & consecrate incense burners.
For self purification, use as a tea during the purification period.
Valerian stalks can be dried & soaked in oil, then used as a torch for spells & rituals.
The torch can then be used to light sacred fires.
Meditation in the light of a torch improves clarity for a given situation.

Valerian enhances any curse or hex you place & used alone as a hex, it can be cast upon your enemy’s pathway or steps, or placed in a red bag & buried on your enemy’s property to bring evil upon them. 
To stop an unwanted visitor sprinkle Valerian root across your front steps, calling the person’s name & commanding that he/she be unable to cross over. To make it more potent, add black pepper & salt.
For eliminating troubles, write the trouble on parchment paper, then burn & mix the ashes with powdered herb,then bury.

Wrap valerian root & a photo of the mate in tinfoil to stop fights. Carry this packet for 3 days & then throw it into running water.

For marital troubles wrap Valerian Root & a picture of you & your spouse in brown paper. Carry this for 3 days, then take out the root & throw it into running water. Replace it with Lovage root & keep that with the picture from there on.

As an uncrossing incense burn valerian alongside a reversing candle & send the curse back to the person who crossed you.

To curse an enemy burn Valerian root with a black candle, carve your enemy’s name in it with a coffin nail. Place his or her picture or name on paper face-down under the candle. 
Hide Valerian root in his/her car, so that they will have bad luck.