All Heal
Amantilla
Herb of Grace
Setwall
Sweet Violet
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Verbena officinalis
Vervain
Viola odorata
Violet
Vitex
Vitex trifolia
Valerian Valeriana officinalis
aka: All Heal, Amantilla, Setwall
The root is the part used medicinally. The roots merge into a short rhizome.
Only one stem comes up from the root, and reaches 3-4 feet tall. The stem is
round and hollow, with hairs. It ends in two or more flowering stems. The
flowers form a cluster blooming in June to September. They are small, pinkish or
tannish, slightly tubular. The leaves are in pairs, usually six to ten at a
time, most often narrow and 2-3 inches long. The plant has an generally
unpleasant aroma when brused. The roots are usually harvested in September to
October.
Medicinal: Valerian is a relaxer, and is very effective for insomnia. It is
often used as a tranquilizer, but it leaves no sluggish effects on the user. It
is used for nervous tension, pain relieving, and for muscle spasms. It should
not be taken over a long period of time, as it can cause mental depression in
some people after long-term steady use. Valerian is a very powerful nervine,
stimulant, carminative, and antispasmodic. It will relieve pain and promote
sleep. In large doses, it can produce headaches. It can be used to treat
epilepsy.
Magical: Valerian is used to get fighting couples back together, in spells of
love, and in purification baths.
Growing: Valerian is a perennial plant that grows to 3 feet tall. It prefers
full sun, and average to rich well-drained soil. Root cuttings are best for
propogation, and once the plants are established, they self-sow and spread by
root runners. Valerian has a similar effect on cats as catnip, so you may need
to protect your patch with chicken wire. Harvest roots for Medicinal use in the
fall of their second year.
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Vervain Verbena officinalis
ala: Herb of Grace
Vervain is a common plant of waste places. It is perennial, known for it's many
small pale lilac flowers. The leaves are opposite, with toothed lobes. The plant
has no aroma, but is slightly bitter to the taste. The leaves and flowering
heads are the parts used medicinally.
Medicinal: Vervain is used to treat the liver and diseases related to the liver,
as well as painful or irregular menses. It will also help increase the flow of a
mother's milk. Vervain is astringent, diaphoretic, and antispasmodic. It is used
in fevers, ulcers, and as a poutice it is used for headache, rheumatism. A
decoction of up to one quart of water to 2 oz of wather eases bowel pain and
purges the system.
Magical: Vervain is used for cleansing incenses and baths. Buried in a field, it
will make your crops abundant. It is burned to attract wealth, and hung above a
bed to prevent nightmares, and above a baby's crib (out of reach!) to offer
protection for the little one, and will enable the child to grow up with a love
of learning and a happy outlook. Hung in the home it offers protection from
negative spells, and is used as a pledge of mutual faith when given to a friend.
Growing:Vervain is a perennial herb that grows 1-2 feet tall. It prefers full
sun, average to rich soils, and is grown throughout temperate North America. It
is rather short-lived, but self-sows. Harvest leaves and flower tops as the
plants bloom.
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Violet Viola odorata
aka: Sweet Violet
There are over 200 species of violate, widely found worldwide. The leaves are
heart shaped, downy, rising from a rhizome. It is an early bloomer, blooming in
February, March, and April. The flowers are usually deep purple ("violet" color
is named after the plant, not visa versa). Lilac, pink, rose, and white
variations are also found. The plant puts out runners to self propagate. The dry
flowers and leaves or the whole fresh plant is used medicinally. Violets can be
eaten in small to moderate quantities, and the flowers make a nice addition to
salads.
Medicinal: Violet is effective in healing internal ulcers. It is used both
internally and externally for pimples, abscesses, tumors, and swollen glands. It
is useful in treating malignant growths, as well. The flowers are slightly
laxitive. The seeds are purgative and diuretic. The fresh leaves have been used
internally and externally for treating cancer. A standard infusion, taken a
couple tbsp at a time is used to treat the cancers.
Magical: Violet in a pillow will help ease headaches away. Carrying the flowers
brings a change in luck, and mixed with lavendar makes a powerful love sachet.
Growing: Violets are a perennial, prefer partial shade, average to rich
well-drained soil, and grow to 8 inches tall. They should not be allowed to
overcrowd themselves, or they will stop blooming. They do best in areas with
clean air. Violets must be replanted every year.
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Vitex Vitex trifolia
Vitex is a small tree or shrub. The younger shoots have a gray downy hair, the
leaves are opposite, and have 5 to 7 leafletts. The flowers appear in September
to October and are fragrant, in whorls. The berries are dark purple, yellow
inside, hard, and aromatic. Another species is the Chaste Tree of the
Mediterranean, which is used the same way.
Medicinal: Vitex is a normalizing herb for the reproductive system. It is most
commonly used in treating infertility, PMS, menopausal problems, and hormonal
imbalances. It is most effective when taken over a period of time, and in
conjunction with other herbs used for the same purposes. It is also known as
chaste tree fruit, or chaste berry. The ripe berries are pulped and are used as
a tincture for relieving paralysis, weakness, pain in the limbs, and so forth.