Forde Park, Devon: Valerian

18^th June 2013

A sunset walk with Pippin into the dusk, at a park alongside my former nursery school.  Memories of hazy afternoons, cold milk being served in colourful, spotty cups and a busty piano playing teacher, thumping away at the keys with more energy (and hairpins) than a 4-year old had ever seen before.

Red Valerian seems to sprout from almost every wall, crack or un-weeded opening it can at this time of year.  Mum claims that its sleepy properties, wafting through the Devon air during these months are responsible for the ‘mañana’ attitude of just about every Devon-born tradesman she has every employed.

 Centranthus ruber, also called valerian or red valerian. Other common names include Jupiter's beard and spur valerian.

Flowers can be used as decorations, though some people can get a headache from the overpowering scent of the blooms.  This plant is more sought after for its roots which are used to make tea, tinctures, capsules and pills.  Fresh valerian root does not have a strong smell but the smell becomes stronger as the roots dry.  It is told the dried roots smell like smelly old socks.  The name supposedly comes from the Latin word “valere” which means “to be well”.

Valerian was as a medicinal herb in Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece and has a long history of an herb used to fight anxiety, shock and stress.  During the First World War it was very common to treat soldiers who suffered from physiological strain with valerian tincture. Using valerian for anxiety has advantages that commercial drugs don't have as it does not cause dependency and is non-addictive.  Cats are attracted to it as it has similar effects on them as catnip.  Some seem to go into a kind of delightful trance rolling around in valerian.

In Europe valerian was used to drive away witches.  Any sorceress who tried to enter the home would quickly turn around if it was hanging by the door.  In Northern Europe valerian was found hanging outside barn doors as there was a superstition that it would protect the farm animals from evil encounters.  

During the Middle Ages men were advised to offer the lady they were attracted to some valerian in red wine as this was supposed to make her notice him favorably.  A bridegroom should always carry a little valerian during the wedding ceremony as this would protect him from all the 'envious elves' lurking about.

A married couple who were caught arguing was given the advice to drink valerian tea.  Magically this drink would result in the couple making up.  According to folklore, woman giving birth should always have some valerian under the sheets as this was a vulnerable time in the woman’s life and she was believed to be an easy target for all supernatural creatures.  The valerian offers protection in time of need.