VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis) G

Folk Names: Ail-Heal, Amantilla, Bloody Butcher, Capon’s Trailer, Cat’s Valerian, English Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Phu, Red Valerian, St. George’s Herb, Sete Wale, Set Well, Vandal Root

Powers: Love, Purification, Protection, Sleep

Photo by pfly

Valerian is a tall perennial with heads of sweet scented pink, blue or white flowers which bloom in the summer. Its one unpleasant quality is the the smell of the plant’s leaves, stems, and roots. However, cats and rats relish in it. Some herbalists suggest that Valerian was the secret of the legendary Pied Piper of Hamlin’s irresistible power over rats!

Magical & Ritual Uses:
If you’re lucky enough to grow Valerian in your garden, Great Magic can be worked with the blooms.

• Powdered, it is sometimes used as “graveyard dust.”
• Use to purify your ritual space.
• To ward off evil: Hang a sprig of Valerian under a window.
• Guard against lightning: Hang sachets with powdered Valerian in the home.
• As a sleep aid: Place a sachet with powdered Valerian in pillows.
• A sprig of the plant pinned to a woman’s clothing will cause men to “follow her like children.”
• For marital troubles: Wrap Valerian Root and a picture of you and your spouse in brown paper. Carry this for three days, then take out the root and throw it into running water. Replace it with Lovage root and keep that with the picture from there on.
• As an uncrossing incense: Burn it alongside a reversing candle, and send the curse back to the person who crossed you.
• To stop an unwanted visitor: Sprinkle Valerian root across your front steps, calling the person’s name, and commanding that he/she be unable to cross over. To make it more potent, add black pepper and salt.
• For self purification: Make an elixir of Valerian to take daily (in very small doses).
• To curse an enemy: Burn Valerian root with Black Arts Incense and 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. (Personally, I would NEVER do this)

Medical Uses:

• A powerful nerve stimulant and antispasmodic.
• Sedative and pain-killer.
• The purified extract is also used for epilepsy.

Warning: Large doses can cause headaches, vertigo, nervous agitation, muscular spasms, and hallucinations.

References:

• Catherine Yronwode: Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic
• Paul Beyerl: A Compendium of Herbal Magick
• Paul Huson: Mastering Herbalism: A Practical Gude
• Scott Cunningham: Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

Note: Consult with a Physician or certified herbologist if you are seeking medical remedies. The information is not intended as medical advice. PagansWorld.org is not liable for the misuse of the herb listed above.