Heliotrope by Regi

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Heliotrope is the name of a plant and a stone, which are used for natural healing as well as metaphysical purposes. They have several shared properties including the basis of their names, as well as properties unique to each. While the stone can be found in naturalist shops and pharmacies as well as jewelry dealers, the plant can be grown in many gardens for quick access.

Plant vs. Stone

• Both the Heliotrope plant and the Heliotrope stone (also called bloodstone) were named for the Greek god of the sun, Helios. There is also a legend that the Heliotrope stone became known as the bloodstone or "martyr's stone" after being bled upon by Jesus at the Crucifixion. While the stone is considered to have both physical healing and magical properties, the plant is known more for its natural healing properties.

Physical Properties

• The stone is dark green in color with red, orange, or white spots across its surface. It is part of the chalcedony variety of quartz with a hardness of seven (on the Mohs' scale of mineral hardness) and a naturally bright luster. The plant is a flowering shrub, which can grow over 6.5 feet tall and carries bunches of small violet, purple, pink, white, or blue flowers. Both the flowers and the leaves of the Heliotrope plant carry a strong scent reminiscent of vanilla. Some parts of the Heliotrope plant are poisonous if eaten, while others can cause irritations in sensitive skin.

Healing Properties

• Bloodstone is considered a blood purifier and body detoxifier. Historically, it was placed on wounds to stop the bleeding. It is used to stimulate the immune system, aid circulation of the blood, and cleanse the liver, kidney, spleen and intestines in modern holistic healing practices. It is also powdered and given as an aphrodisiac in Indian medicine. While the Heliotrope plant is also used for purifying and healing wounds, it is used more to cure inflammation and fever, and as a natural diuretic.

Metaphysical Properties

• While the Heliotrope plant is used mostly for natural healing, the stone is used equally for healing as well as metaphysical purposes. It is said to banish evil, heighten intuition, and assist in past life regression through dreams. It attracts money and prosperity, helps bullied children, and balances goddess-themed rituals.

valeriana officinalis
polemonium caeruleum

PART USED
Rootstock

ELEMENT: Water
PLANET: Mercury

FOLK NAMES
All-heal
Capon's tail
Cat's valerian
English Valerian
fragrant valerian
garden heliotrope
German Valerian
great wild valerian
heliotrope
Phu
Saint George's Herb
Setwell
Valeria

POWERS
Dream Magick
Reconciliations
Love
Harmony
Wishes

MAGICKAL USE
Use fresh herbs in sachets for dream
magick and sleep protection baths, burn
for reconciliations, in love relationships
(make sure you have all parties permission first!),
drink as a harmonizing tea infusion.

Place in the home or grow in the garden
to aid in keeping harmony.

Add to other herbs for love wishes.

Folklore and Traditional Uses
Countless legends surround valerian, which were
called "phu" for its foul odor in ancient times.
Despite its odor, valerian was used as a potent
perfume during the Middle Ages.

Chaucer's "Millers Tale" describes a character
as "sweet smelling as the root"
of valerian and other herbs.

Cats and other small animals are attracted to it.

According to early German folklore, the Pied Piper
had it squirreled away in his pocket as he lured
the rats and eventually the children from Hamelin.

Humans have been attacted to it for centuries.

Native Americans used its roots
for food and as a flavoring in tobacco.

In Germany it is the active ingredient in more than
100 over-the-counter tranquilizers and sleep-aids.

Recently scientists have learned the aqueous extract
of valerian contains substantial quantities
of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
a neurotransmitter that is thought
to inhibit brain's arousal system.

Medicinal use

Valerian is used for insomnia and other disorders as an alternative to benzodiazepine drugs, and as a sedative for nervous tension, hysteria, excitability, stress and intestinal colic or cramps.

In the United States, valerian is sold as a nutritional supplement. Therapeutic use has increased as dietary supplements have gained in popularity, especially after the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act was passed in 1994. This law allowed the distribution of many agents as over-the-counter supplements, and therefore allowed them to bypass the regulatory requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Valerian is used for sleeping disorders, restlessness and anxiety, and as a muscle relaxant. Certain data suggests that Valerian has an effect that is calming but doesn't cause sleepiness the following day.When used as a sleeping aid, valerian appears to be most effective on users who have difficulty falling asleep. Also noteworthy is that valerian has been shown to have positive results on users who wake up during the night. Valerian often seems only to work when taken over longer periods (several weeks), though many users find that it takes effect immediately. Some studies have demonstrated that valerian extracts interact with the GABA receptors. Valerian is also used traditionally to treat gastrointestinal pain and irritable bowel syndrome. However, long term safety studies are absent.

Valerian is sometimes recommended as a first-line treatment when risk-benefit analysis dictates. Valerian is often indicated as transition medication when discontinuing benzodiazepines.

Valerian has uses in herbal medicine as a sedative. Results of investigations into its effectiveness have been mixed. It has been recommended for epilepsy, but that is not supported by research (although valproic acid—an analogue of one of valerian's constituents, valeric acid—is used as an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug). Valerian root generally does not lose effectiveness over time.

One study found valerian tends to sedate the agitated person and stimulate the fatigued person, bringing about a balancing effect on the system.

One study found valerian effective in controlling infantile rota viral diarrhea^.

In ayurveda, valerian is considered to work on the nervous, digestive, and respiratory systems as a stimulant, antispasmodic, stomachic, sedative, analeptic, carminative, and nervine. While it is used for various disorders of these systems, it is noted that excessively, it may dull the mind or cause severe conditions such as central paralysis, thus it is recommended to be used under the supervision of an ayurvedic doctor. Possibly because of its dulling effects, another herb is mainly used for nerve and mind disorders like insomnia: jatamams (nardostachys jatamansi).

 

APPLICATIONS

Valerian root is used in several methods - maceration (softening by soaking or steeping in any liquid), infusion, and tincture for internal use. Externally, it is used as a compress and wash to treat numerous conditions.

Root:

MACERATION: To prepare maceration with valerian roots, soak two teaspoon of finely sliced, if possible freshly dug out roots, in a cup of cold water for around 8 to 10 hours. Once the brew is prepared add two to three drops of peppermint water, bought from pharmacies, to conceal its taste. Drink the sedative solution to treat insomnia and anxiety.
INFUSION: Infusion prepared with valerian roots is also beneficial for fretfulness and sleeplessness (insomnia).
TINCTURE: Tincture prepared with valerian roots is a useful remedy to treat insomnia and also functions as a tranquilizer. However, the dosage of the valerian tincture is likely to differ from person to person depending on the condition being treated and the patients’ response to treatment. While some people may require a high dosage of about 5 ml, this may result in headaches in others. Hence, it is advisable to start with a small dosage of 1 ml to 2 ml. The tincture may also be used in combination with licorice and other expectorants like hyssop to treat coughs. It may also be included in mixtures to heal hypertension caused due to tension or nervousness.
COMPRESS: Prepare a compress with valerian roots by drenching a pad in the tincture and apply it topically to alleviate muscle contractions/ spasms.
WASH: The valerian infusion or maceration may be used to wash persistent ulcers and lesions as well as pulling out splinters.

PLANT VALIUM

• 4/5 cup (200 ml) acidic white wine
• 1 1/3 oz (50 g) fresh roots, washed and dried for 2 hours in the sun

Crush the roots in a food processor and combine with the wine. Macerate for 1 month. Strain.
In the case of hypertension or nervousness: 10 drops, taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Repeat as needed at noon and again in the evening. To treat spasms or insomnia: 20 drops, 20 minutes before bed.