Valerian 

Valeriana officinalis

History

Valerian has been used since ancient Greece and Rome. It is know by other names such as Phu (because of the pungent odor of its dried root), Valeriana, Garden Heliotrope, All-Heal, Capon’s Tail, Setwell, and Vandal Root.  Hippocrates described its benefits in his writings, and both Discorides (1st Century CE) and Galen (2nd Century CE) prescribed it as a sleep aid.

Native Americans have used it as an antiseptic for skin wounds, and in the 16th century it was used for treatment of nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations. Nicholas Culpeper’s English Physician and Complete Herbal published in 1789 includes historical information on the use of Valerian. Valerian was also incorporated into military medicine as it was used in World War I for shellshock, and in World War II as a stress reliever for English air raids. 

Medicinal Uses

  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety and Stress
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Menopausal Symptoms
  • ADHD
  • Digestive Issues

Recipe For Home

Valerian Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons fresh Valerian Root (1 tablespoon of dried)
  • 3 1/4 cups full fat milk or non dairy alternative
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon balm (1 tablespoon of dried)
  • 3 teaspoons fresh lavender flowers (1/2 – 1 teaspoon of dried, you can leave these out if you don’t fancy such a floral taste)
  • 6 leaves and three heads of fresh Passion Flower (1 teaspoon of dried)
  • Peel of 1 1/2 fresh organic non waxed oranges
  • 1 3/4 oz dark chocolate.
  • dash Vanilla Essence

Instructions:

    1. Heat milk up to just before boiling (do not boil as it can make it taste nasty). Infuse the valerian root, lemon balm and lavender flowers and orange peel in the milk for 10 – 15 mins off the heat,like you would a cup of tea, as boiling the herbs will remove the qualities you wish to keep in the steam due to their volatile nature. Best leave the lid on the pot, it will keep the volatile plant constituents from evaporating off.
    2. Whilst this is infusing melt the chocolate over a double boiler or bain marie until it has melted.
    3. Strain milk into the melted chocolate removing the herbs and orange peel with a strainer. Whisk chocolate into the milk mixture.
    4. Add the Vanilla essence and serve immediately before milk goes cold

    Source:

    https://cailleachs-herbarium.com/2015/09/valerian-hot-chocolate/?srsltid=AfmBOop4iOgIrPs4W5T6pIyoVlzshAKnxkgrzViu0x1ruvnT0NDkZFGi