Pain-be-Gone Valerian Cordial with Willow
This Pain-be-Gone Valerian Cordial is the answer to what to do with valerian root. Valerian officinalis is known for soothing, relaxant properties in the presence of aches and pains, and for most, it is calming in the face of stress. However, it is also infamous for its unpleasant taste and smell! Thankfully, this valerian cordial recipe incorporates ingredients like vanilla and maple syrup that help smooth out the earthy scent and flavor of valerian so it doesn’t have to taste unpleasant at all.
Willow (Salix alba) is the other leading herb in this elixir, which also helps balance valerian’s strong scent and flavor. Fun fact: Willow is where the salicylic acids used in the production of aspirin were originally found. Willow’s use as an analgesic dates back to ancient China and many Native American tribes such as the Cree, Huron, Mohawk, and Cherokee have traditionally made use of willow (Herbal Academy, n.d.).
By adding vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) extract—itself an uplifting nervine (Herbal Academy, 2014)—and maple syrup to this cordial, the herbs can do their supportive work sweetly. So drink up and feel better!
This recipe yields approximately 1.5 ounces, so you will need to use a 2-ounce glass bottle for storage. The kind of vanilla extract used for baking is perfectly fine to use as long as the bottle states that it is 100% pure vanilla extract, or you can make your own. Yield: 1.5 ounces.
6 teaspoons white willow (Salix alba) tincturePain-be-Gone Valerian Cordial with Willow
2 teaspoons valerian (Valeriana officinalis) tincture
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) extract (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
In Closing,
Using herbs to soothe minor aches and pains, or physical tension, and support established wellness protocols is a matter of careful research and education. Below are links to a few more herbs known for use with pain.
5 Herbs to Support a Body in Pain
Herbalism and Acute Pain
12 Traditional Pain Relieving Herbs
REFERENCES
Noveille, A. (2016). 3 balancing herbal recipes for bodies in pain [Blog article]. Retrieved from https://theherbalacademy.com/herbal-recipes-for-bodies-in-pain/
Noveilla, A. (2016). 12 traditional pain relieving herbs [Blog article]. Retrieved from https://theherbalacademy.com/12-traditional-pain-relieving-herbs/
The Herbal Academy. (2014). Vanilla recipes three ways [Blog article]. Retrieved from https://theherbalacademy.com/vanilla-recipes-three-ways/
The Herbal Academy. (n.d.). Willow monograph. The Herbarium. Retrieved from https://herbarium.theherbalacademy.com/monographs/#/monograph/4074
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