VALERIAN (Greek). POLEMONIUM CAERULEUM
Epilepsies have been cured by the use of this herb.
Greek Valerian, also known as Jacob's Ladder, is a perennial with a thick, short, greyish root, long, broad main leaves followed by indented ladder-like secondary leaves, and drooping purplish-blue or white flowers. It belongs to the Phlox family.
Where to find it: Rarely found in the wild. The white variety is more commonly found in or near gardens.
Flowering time: Late spring to midsummer.
Astrology: It is under Mercury.
Medicinal virtues: It helps in nervous complaints, headaches, trembling, palpitations of the heart and the vapours. It is also good in hysteric cases. The whole plant is used and taken by infusion.
Modern uses: It is astringent and diaphoretic and similar in action to False jacob's Ladder, or Abscess Root (Polemonium reptans). It is recommended in fevers and inflammatory disease of the lungs, such as bronchitis and pleurisy. Unfortunately the plant is rare and, therefore, not much used professionally. Where available, the dried herb is taken by infusion - 1 oz
(28 g) to 1 pt (568 ml) of boiling water - in doses of 2 fl oz (56 rnl). |