VALERIAN / All Heal / Valeriana officinalis / Britain marshy regions.
NB: High doses taken over a long period may cause Head - Aches. N.B: This is not the Valerian that is a red and white plant that decorates walls that is also known as - Centranthus ruber. Equal parts of the fluid Extracts of Passion Flower and Valerian mixed with a small percentage of Peppermint Leaves.
Actions: Anodyne one of the best, Anti - Spasmodic, Carminative, Hypnotic, Hypotensive, Nervine - One of the most relaxing Nervine herbs known to man), Sedative and excellent Soporific.
Constituents: Borneol, Camphene, Isovalerianic Acid, Pinene, Valerianic Acid, Volatile Alkaloids and Volatile Oil.
Cultivation: A herb with whitish - pink flowers that likes damp places.
Products: the Rhyzome and Roots. Harvest after the Leaves have died in late Summer when 2 year old. Sow the seed in the Spring or divide in Spring or Autumn. Tolerates many soil types and can be planted in Sun or Semi - Shade. Decoction: Boil the Root in Water for 10 minutes, or crush 1 teaspoon of the Root and soak in cold water 4 for 12 - 24 hours. Tea: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 1 - 2 teaspoons of the Root and let Infuse 10 - 15 minutes and drink as required but the taste is pungent so add 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 3 teaspoons of Raw Honey, and also, if required, 3 teaspoons of Vodka. Tincture: 2 - 4ml 3 times a day.
Horses: N.B: Because it is a Laxative
it is contra indicated for Horses with
loose manure as it will make them worse. An
important Nervine Herb
that is Anti - Spasmodic when used as
part of a mixture in the treatment for Tying Up and
Stringhalt.
Used to Treat: Anxiety: relieves and can be used with other herbs to suite. Blood Pressure - High: Cardiac - Arrhythmia: Colic - Intestinal: relieves. Cramp: to relieve. Excitability: relieves. Hives: Hysterical: relieves. Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Insomnia: as a Tea effective and produces natural healing sleep and can be used with other herbs to suite. Irritability: can be used with other herbs to suite. Menstruation - Period Cramps: relieves. Migraine - Pain: any related to Tension. Nervousness: extraordinary Nervine to relieve Nervous Debility and Tension and can be used with other herbs to suite. Pain: relieves. Premenstrual Syndrome: Restlessness: can be used with other herbs to suite. Rheumatism - Pain: for pain related to Tension. Tension: relieves.
VARIGATED
THISTLE - See St. Mary's Thistle.
VELVET BEAN / Ox Eye Bean / Mucuna. Actions: Aphrodisiac. Used to Treat: Impotence: Parkinson's Disease:
VERBENA / Verbena.
Used to Treat: Graves
Disease: Hypothyroidism:
VERBENA, Lemon / Aloysia triphylla. Cultivation: Semi - evergreen attractive shrub to 3m with delicate lacy white flower spikes in Summer that thrives in dry, exposed Sunny spots in a very well drained lime soil and requires little fertiliser and prune hard in late Winter to shape. Flavour Partners: Spearmint, Fruit Salad Sage, Pineapple Sage, Scented Geranium and Spearmint.
Food
Partners: Cakes, Chicken, Custard, Fruit
Salads, Ice Blocks, Punches and Sorbet. Tea:
One of the most delightful herbal Teas by adding
a handful of Leaves to a pot and brew for 5 - 10
minutes.
VERNAL GRASS, Sweet / Anthoxanthum odoratum. Europe. Actions: Expectorant to Gargle or Spray. Cultivation: From the Grass Family. Product: Flowers.
Used to
Treat: Hair:
Tonic. Scalp:
Cleanser.
VERVAIN / Herb of Grace / Verbena officinalis - Labiatae / Britain. Protective and Purifying Nervine herb with specific applications as it is Anti - Spasmodic working on the surface Circulation and in the Peripheral Nervous System.
Actions: Anti - Spasmodic, Astringent, Bitter, Diaphoretic, Emetic, Mild Hepatic, Nervine - Nervous Tonic, Slightly Sedative and Sudorific and could also be a Galatogue.
Cultivation: An easy to grow small trailing Herb with pink flowers - Tiny bluish - purple - Lilac flowers like a mist on the waste ground and roadsides growing wild and collect just before the Flowers open, and dry rapidly. Product: Leaves & Flowers / whole Herb above the ground. Bitter taste combines with Oats. Nervous Tonic with a Slightly Sedative action. Induces heavy Perspiration and good for Detoxification. Infusion: 1 - 3 x teaspoons of the dried herb per cup of boiling water. Tincture: 2 to 4ml x 3 times a day.
Horses: Also useful as part of a mixture to treat Bleeders.
Can be used as a feed herb for Restorative
effects after Illness. A good handful of
the dried Herb once daily for an average sized
(450kg) Horse in the feed.
Used to Treat: Anxiety - Neurosis: due to Nervine relieving. Mouth - Bad Taste: as a Mouth - Wash reducing the intake of Toxins and removing Toxins. Bath: use a bath bag filled with the herb or an Infusion and can be combined with Lavender, Peppermint or Pine Needles to stimulate.
Carries: as a Mouth - Wash reducing the intake of Toxins and removing Toxins. Cuts and Abrasions: combine with Calendula - Marigold, Yarrow or St. John's Wort.
Depression: due to Nervine relieving especially after Illnesses or Infections when it is combined with Skullcap, Oats and Lady's Slipper.
Gall Bladder Conditions: Gum Disease: as a Mouth - Wash reducing the intake of Toxins and removing Toxins.
Head - Aches: .Jaundice: As a Hepatic it produces direct action on the Liver and Gall Bladder stimulating normal function but is not a major Hepatic and therefore should be used with others.
Migraine:
Nausea: Nervous - Exhaustion:
Perspiration: to Increase as a Diaphoretic with Toxin Loss. Physical Conditions: Physcological Conditions:
Tension: Toxins: as a Diaphoretic to increase Perspiration and Toxin Loss. Tongue - Furry: as a Mouth - Wash reducing the intake of Toxins and removing Toxins.
VIETNAMESE
MINT / Polygonum odoratum (N.B:
This is not actually
a Mint)
A very hot herb to add hot spicy flavour. Actions: Diuretic.
Used to Treat:
Fever:
VINEGAR - see Apple Cider Vinegar
under separate cover. I x pint of Vinegar for
every 1- 2 ounces of dried herbs
or
a
loose handful of
fresh herbs.
Used to Treat: Body
-
Odour: Dandruff: Vaginitis: Overweight:
VIOLET / Sweet Violet / Kit run the Streets / Three Faces in One Head / Viola odorata / Europe. Also see Pansy. Actions: Expectorant for Elixirs and Syrups and a remarkable Anti - Septic with Mild Laxative properties.
Cultivation: Small wild violet. Products: the Flowers & Leaves.
Horses: has Anti - Cancerous
properties and is also used as a preventative and for treatment of Melanoma
in Grey Horses. N.B: Requires
Specialist prescribing!
Used to Treat: Asthma: the Tea made from the Flowers is used to calm down. Bowels: the Syrup is use as a Laxative or make a Decoction of 15gm of finely chopped fresh Leaves and Root.
Breasts - Inflammation: use the Spirit.
Cancer: eating the Leaves may assist with certain types. Colds- Coughs - Flu: to expel Toxins as a Mild Laxative. Constipation: as a mild Laxative / Flowers & Leaves. Convulsions: Children use the Spirit.
Epilepsy - Falling Sickness: use the Spirit. Gargle: the Syrup is used.
Kidneys: make a Decoction of 15gm of finely chopped Fresh Leaves and Root.
Hair - Scented Rinse: as an Infusion by putting a handful of the Flowers in boiling water for 15 minutes and strain and store in a clean glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator. Head - Aches: make a Compress.
Insomnia: make a Compress or use in a Potpourri or Pillow.
Lungs - Inflammation - Pleurisy: use the Spirit. Lymphatic System: to cleanse and Stimulate.
Skin - Itch - Scabs: use the Spirit. Skin Lotion - Tonic - Dry: as an Infusion by putting a handful of the Flowers in boiling water for 15 minutes and strain and store in a clean glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator.
Varicose Veins: Venereal Disease: use a strong Decoction or Syrup of the Flowers.
Whooping Cough: the
Tea made from the Flowers is used to calm down.