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Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

Folk names: Cemetery dirt, All Heal, Setwell, Vandal root, Nature's Valium

Warning: Dosage Dependent + Do NOT Drive

For most of the population, Valerian acts as a sedative. Therefore, dosage will be an important factor in just how sedated you will feel. Starting small and testing up is always a good idea and as always, check with your physician or medical professional before starting any supplements.

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Until you know how valerian affects you, do not drive or operate heavy machinery while under its influence.

Cat Crazy

Maybe this should be a warning but many a feline familiar will come scratching for this ingredient in your apotecary. If you keep your catnip in a special spot, give the valerian some room. My (Lilith's) cat was scaling walls when I was soaking a valerian lined mortar. It was only for like 5 minutes - calm down. This is why I named her "Andramada". 

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Anything a cat adores is food for venerating the deities that are affiliated with them (both big and small) such as, 

  • Bast/Bastet (goddess of healing from Ancient Egypt)

  • Cybele (Anatolian Mother of the Mountain and Gods)

  • Diana (Moon Goddess of the Hunt, Protector of the Forest and Mothers)

  • Freyja (Norse goddess of love and Guardian of Fólkvangar, a realm of dead warriors)

  • Shashthi (folk Hindu goddess and protector of children and childbirth)

Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Gender: Feminine

Parts Used: Roots, Rhizome

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Xie cao

Taste: Acrid

Energy: Warming

Uses:​

  • Smoke (tastes like cinnamon)

  • Tea

  • Tincture

Medicinal Uses

(This information has been collected from Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine as well as The Herbal Academy of New England, it has NOT been confirmed by Licensed Herbalist)

  • Analgesic

  • Antidepressant

  • Anxiolytic

  • Carminative

  • Hypotensive

  • Nervine

  • Sedative

WARNING: Talk to your Doctor/Medical Professional before adding any 

Supplements, herbal teas, Infusions, etc. ​

Part of the reason that we list Medical Jargin is because many plants can interfere with or even counteract medications we already take or it can exacerbate ailments we already have. 

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When talking to your Medical Professional, we suggest asking what "actions" an herb might do to interfere with your health, either positive of negative. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, a Cholagogue which creates more bile may not be advantagous. Too much of a good thing, eh?

​Magical Uses

  • Attraction

  • Banishing

  • Calm

  • Cat Magic

  • Clarity

  • Cleansing

  • Clearing

  • Divination

  • Dream

  • Harmony

  • Healing

  • Love

  • Peace

  • Protection

  • Purification

  • Sleep

  • Storm Protection

  • Trauma Healing

Due to the strong odor of its root, valerian is rumored to have been what the Pied Piper used to rid Hamelin of its rats, as its pungent odor is sad to be attractive to rats.

- Judy Ann Nock, The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs: Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Power of Herbs, p. 141

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