Valerian Rose Glycerite
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) helps with relaxation, nervous tension and is a mild sedative. The roots have a pungent aroma that many have compared to dirty socks. It’s an acquired taste for sure. Rose mellows the taste of this tincture with its dreamy and delicious floral notes and works on softening and healing our hearts as well.
When I go to Maine in the summer, I harvest both wild roses and valerian root, which is a real treat. It is fine to use fresh or dried plants for this recipe and there are instructions for both processes below.
Glycerites are an alternative way of tincturing plants that is safe for children as the traditional tincture recipe calls for alcohol. Glycerin is sweet making it an easy and delicious way to take herbs. If I am making glycerite with fresh plants, I just use glycerin as carrier. If I use dried plants, I use a mix of glycerin and water to draw out the plant’s essence.
This Valerian Rose Glycerite is safe to use on both adults and children, especially to help with trouble falling asleep at bedtime and helping with a sound night of sleep.
Instructions:
You will need:
-¾ cup mixed fresh roses and valerian root or ½ cup mixed dried roses and valerian root
-Roughly ¾ cup glycerine (or ½ cup glycerine and ¼ cup distilled water for dried plants)
For fresh plants: If you are using fresh roses (just make sure they are unsprayed), harvest in the morning and let them sit for a few hours until they are slightly wilted and any dew or moisture has dried off the petals. Pluck off the petals to fill to cup. Collect valerian roots, scrub with water and toothbrush or vegetable brush to remove dirt. Let them dry for a few hours then coarsely chop. Loosely pack a clean 8oz mason jar with the roses and valerian and pour in glycerite to fill up to the top of the jar’s neck, so there is just about a half inch of room left. Close the jar with a clean lid. Recipe is continued below.
For dried plants: measure out 1/4 cup each dried rose petals and dried valerian root to equal ½ cup combined and pour into an 8oz mason jar. Pour glycerin into a jar and then water. Stir mixture together with spoon.
Shake daily to disperse the roses and valerian root. If plants seem clumped at the top of the jar, open the jar and with a spoon tamp them back down into the glycerin mixture. Let the mixture infuse for two weeks to one month. Put a fine mesh strainer above a large glass measuring cup and strain plants out of the glycerite. Strain again if you see any rose pieces floating in the strained liquid. Pour the pink hued liquid into an 8oz glass bottle with lid and store in the refrigerator. I like to fill a 1oz glass bottle dropper bottle with rose glycerite for ease of use. Should keep fresh for 6 to 12 months if stored in the refrigerator or in a cool dark place.
To use: