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Glitter Witch Gardens

Valerian

By 11/23/2024December 3rd, 2024No Comments

Materia Poetica

Valeriana officinalis, you have a hidden side
For deep beneath the loamy soil, your rhizome roots reside.

At first, fresh whiff, it’s not so bad, but as time passes by
Your roots dry out and a stink sets in that no one can deny.

It’s said you lured the rats of Hamlin to save folks from the plague
But the details of the Pied Piper tale are still varied and somewhat vague.

We know your invasive in many states like Wisconsin and Connecticut
To herbalists though, your value to sleep and anxiety are very self-evident.

Your complex for sure with most feeling your calm and sedative herbal effects
But for a small few you have quite the bite and keep us awake and perplexed.

Your magic runs deep as a great home protector, and from psychic attacks and bad hexes
So put some dried leaves around windows and doors, to drive away bothersome exes.

If your work and your play come at the expense of sore and painful muscles
Valerian will be your very best friend to keep you in the hustle.

Valeriana officinalis

Valerian

Valeriana officinalis is an herbaceous perennial native to Europe and Asia, but has been naturalized in North America, likely through numerous repeated introductions onto the North American continent. While it is an important medicinal herb, it is also considered an invasive species in many areas throughout the northern United States and parts of Canada, spreading vigorously by self-seeding and runners (aerial stolons).1

The plant has sweet smelling white or pink flowers, but the roots have an unmistakeable odor, increasing its “stinky socks” smell as the roots are dried. The flowers attract many pollinators, including moths, butterflies, and hoverflies, and the leaves and roots have proven in studies to be a (lesser) alternative to catnip as an attraction to domesticated cats.2

 

 

INTERESTING FACTS

  • Valerian has been used to attract members of the Canidae family (wolves, coyotes, foxes, etc.) into traps, as well as rats.3
  • A historical marker in the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington D.C. states in part, “Tradition says the Pied Piper carried valerian root in his back pocket to help lure the rats out of Hamelin.“4
  • The earliest known documentation of Valerian is by Theophrastus in “Historia Plantarum” (9.7.5.) written between 350 BC and 287 BC.5
Preserving

Harvesting and Drying

I am going to be honest here, I do not grow valerian at the Glitter Witch Gardens – I buy it. Imagine my excitement when I received an email from Bluestem Botanicals that they were selling fresh valerian root by the pound. I jumped on the opportunity and drove out to their farm in Doylestown, PA to pick it up. 

The root should not be harvested until the plant is established and in good health. That usually means at least two years old. When I bought my fresh root (pictured to the left), I kept it in the refrigerator for a couple of days before I could get to it to process it. 

I set aside enough fresh root (1 heaping tablespoon) to infuse for 1 cup of tea. Because of the volatile oils, this is a root that you should infuse and not decoct. You can read about my experience with the tea by clicking the button under the photo.

The rest of it I chopped up for a fresh root tincture, which is still resting in its menstruum. 

Herbal Actions & Medicinal Uses

Parts Most Frequently Used: Roots (Rhizome)

Flavors: Spicy, bitter

Properties: Warming & drying

Used Most Often As: Tea / decoction, tincture

With any herbs and supplements, always consult with a licensed health professional before use.

Herbal Actions

Valerian root is used as a digestive support for when you suffer from gas in your intestines or gassy symptoms from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and Crohn’s disease. It is also (more commonly) used to support restful sleep for those who suffer from anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, and restlessness, but if you are the small part of the population (like me), valerian can be quite stimulating.

Below are definitions of the herbal actions associated with Valerian:6

  • Relaxing Nervine – Soothing to the nervous system and has a calming effect on the mind and body.
  • Antispasmodic – Reduces or relieves smooth muscle spasms. 
  • Carminative – Relieves gas and cramping from stomach pains, indigestion, and lack of appetite.
  • Sedative – Strongly quiets the nervous system.

 

⚠️ A contraindication for this herb would be anyone taking potentially sedative or tranquilizing medicines. It is not known whether valerian will harm an unborn baby. It is also not known whether valerian passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant and/or breast-feeding a baby.⚠️

Recipe: Home Version

Valerian Fresh Root Tea

Valerian root tea is used to relax you, specifically when anxiety or muscle tension keeps you up at night. Here’s a recipe for decocting fresh valerian root.

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES

  • 1 TBSP of fresh valerian root (1 tsp if using dried)
  • 8 ounces water
  • Small pot/sauce pan with lid

DIRECTIONS

Add the 8 ounces of water and the fresh valerian root to the pot. Bring the contents to a simmer (DO NOT boil). Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Once done, strain off the plant material, pour it in your cup, and let it cool enough to drink it. 

valerian tea
READ ABOUT MY TEA EXPERIENCE.

Horticultural Information

Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a perennial herb that can be propagated by root division or by seed. If growing by seed, tamp the seeds (no older than last year’s seed stock) down on the surface of the soil in the spring and keep them evenly moist throughout the 10-16 days it will take them to germinate. The new growth will not look typical of valerian, so be patient. Your younglings will grow up to look typical soon enough. Once established seedlings have appeared, space your young plants 1 – 2 feet apart. When deciding where to plant the seeds, make sure they won’t shade out other sun loving plants in your yard or garden, as they may reach heights of 5 feet or more. 

They prefer 6+ hours of full sun per day and well-drained, loamy soil – adding compost will be appreciated by your plants. Be careful and mindful where you plant valerian. It is a rapid grower and can take over rather quickly. In fact, according to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) and the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP), “Garden valerian is listed as a noxious weed in Wisconsin and Connecticut , and 22 other U.S. states list it as a species of concern.”6

The plant starts with a basal foliage clump with a stem rising with pinnately compound leaves and spaced oppositely along the stem. Leaves are up to 8 inches long with 4-9 pairs of lanceolate leaflet (lobes) with serrations along the edge, and a terminal lobe.

The stem is hollow.

Leaf Details
Valerian plant

COMPANION PLANTING

Valerian likes neighbors such as oregano, thyme, catnip, and dill.7 Just remember to be mindful of space, height, water, and light needs. You wouldn’t want to cram all of these fine plants into a tiny garden space. Even the best of friends can get feisty if they’re forced to be with each other in a tiny space, fighting over the same meals for long periods of time. 😬

New USDA Hardiness Zone(s), as of 2023: 4-9

New USDA Hardiness Zone Map as of 2023
New USDA Hardiness Zones as of 2023

Materia Magicka

Valerian has long been associated with Samhain and Yule. It has been used in spells to protect the home from excessive winds, lightening, and floods during bad storms. It is also used for:

  • love, attraction, and passion spells
  • protection and barriers against negative energies, hexes, and psychic attacks
  • divination and enhancing psychic abilities
  • dreamwork and spirit communications

Below is some of the symbolism associated with Valerian.

Planets: Constellations:
  ☿ Mercury & ♃ Jupiter   ♏️ Scorpio, ♍️ Virgo
Element: Chakra:
  🜄 Water   ◉ Root Chakra
Energy: Crystals/Stones:
  ☯ Yin   Amethyst, Tourmaline
Gender: Celebrations:
  Masculine   Samhain, Yule
Deities: Tarot:
  Norse: Freyja
  Norse: Hertha
  Egyptian: Bast
  Greek/Roman: Apollo
  Egyptian: Sekhmet
   Minor Arcana: Nine of Swords
  (The Herbal Tarot)  Major Arcana: Temperance
Valerian Root Chakra Correspondence

Day in Court Protection Talisman

Going to court for family matters can be some of the most stressful times of your life, especially when kids are involved. This may be used to protect or shield a person (worn on their body) or place (in an area that is significant) where protection is needed, and can be particularly useful in court case situations where the other party has been and is a dominating person.

*Please note that all spells you read (including this one) should be considered a guide, as your intuition and intention are the power behind them. This is NOT a substitute for professional advise, legal or otherwise. 

What You’ll Need:

  • Valerian leaves or roots
    • The root will have a strong odor
  • Howlite stone
    • This is an extremely calming stone
  • A royal blue cloth
    • 6″ square
  • A white ribbon, cord, or yarn
    • Made from natural fibers, such as cotton, silk, or wool
    • 12″ long
  • A small piece of paper, about 3″ 
  • Something to write with (pen, pencil, crayon, etc.)

Preparations: 

Lay out your royal blue fabric. We choose this color because it represents both stress relief, but also strength. The white ribbon represents calm, clarity, protection, and focus/concentration. Take your piece of paper and write your name on it four (4) times. Place the paper, the howlite stone, and the valerian plant parts onto the center of the cloth piece and use the white ribbon to tie it closed. Just before you enter the courtroom, find a quiet space (even if it’s the bathroom) and recite the following incantation – you can say it to yourself if you don’t feel comfortable saying it out loud.

Incantation: 

Recite four (4) times:

I acknowledge the strength to be my own ally,
protection and love always by my side.
My body and mind are temples and are sanctified,
through self talk, deeds, and thoughts only love will abide.
My power is mine to keep. {Other person’s name} cannot take what I do not give.

Take a deep breath, hold it, then slowly release your breath, then repeat your chant. Feel every part of your being fill with love and be protected by the ever strengthening shield of your self-love. 

✨💖 ✨ Blessed Be. ✨💖 ✨

Herbal Correspondence Reference:

  • The overall color blue represents stress-relief, whereas royal blue represents confidence and strength.
  • The color white represents calm, clarity, protection, and focus/concentration. white wrapped around the blue enhances it like a mama’s arms around a child it’s protecting.
  • Valerian is a protection herb, but also one that enhances the ability to relieve stress.
  • The howlite stone allows for calm and reasoned communications while also releases the ties that bind old emotions to present-day triggers. 
  • The number four (4) represents justice, boundaries, concentration, and focus.
  • Your name four times with the incantation said four times references the number eight (8). Eight represents accomplishment, justice, karma, protection, strength, success, and well-being.

References

The following sources were used to research the above information. 

  1. Program, C. B. a. J. |. W. P. C. |. P. N. H. (2021, September 30). Invasive Species Factsheet: Garden Valerian. ArcGIS StoryMaps. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7c1682b7e0c545fc9823fb6ed1d4a81e
  2. Bol, S., Caspers, J., Buckingham, L. et al. Responsiveness of cats (Felidae) to silver vine (Actinidia polygama), Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and catnip (Nepeta cataria). BMC Vet Res 13, 70 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-0987-6
  3. Tucker, A.O., & Tucker, S.S. (1988). Catnip and the catnip response. Economic Botany, 42, 214-231.
  4. Becker Jones, D. (2023, January 30). Valeriana officinalis historical marker. Historical Marker. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=144690
  5. Herbs in History: Valerian. (n.d.). https://www.ahpa.org/herbs_in_history_valerian
  6. Program, C. B. a. J. |. W. P. C. |. P. N. H. (2021, September 30). Invasive species Factsheet: Garden Valerian. ArcGIS StoryMaps. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7c1682b7e0c545fc9823fb6ed1d4a81e
  7. Dan. (2019, August 30). How to grow and use the Valerian plant. AgNet West. https://agnetwest.com/how-grow-use-valerian-plant/
  8. LearningHerbs.com, LLC, & De La Forêt, R. (2024). Valerian. In LearningHerbs.com [Report].
  9. Tierra, M. (1998, p. 202). The Way of Herbs. Gallery Books.
  10. Diaz, J. (2021, p. 318). Plant witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants. Hay House, Inc.
  11. Kynes, S. (2013, pp. 132–133, 191, 425–426, 433). Llewellyn’s complete book of correspondences: A Comprehensive & Cross- Referenced Resource for Pagans & Wiccans. Llewellyn’s Complete Book.
  12. Hall, J. (2003, pp. 144–145). The Crystal Bible. Penguin.

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