Witches Brew
Ingredients
Tea
- 1 x teaspoon of dried valerian root
- 1 x teaspoon of dried lemon balm/melissa
- 1 x teaspoon of lavender or chamomile blossoms
- Honey to taste (optional)
- 1 x tea infuser ball (optional) or (if making a tea bag)
Tea bag
- 1 x 6”x6” cheesecloth
- 1 x 4” twine/string/wool
Instructions
(If making a tea bag follow from 1 - 7. If using a tea infuser or some kind of filter follow from 4 - 7)
1. Place herbs in the centre of your cheesecloth.
2. Fold four corners tightly over the bundle of herbs and twist until the herbs are collected
in a little bundle in the cheesecloth
3. Tie the twine over the loose piece of cheesecloth to secure the herbs
4. Place tea in a cup and pour freshly boiled water over the center of the tea
5. Let the tea steep for 5-10 minutes
6. During this time consider speaking the intention that you have for the tea over it while it steeps. Would you like deep, uninterrupted sleep? Prophetic dreams? Energy
regeneration? Healing and restorative rest? If you have a meditation practice consider
utilizing this time to meditate on this intention.
7. Drink
Take Note:
- Valerian root in combination with lemon balm can be a potent sedative. It is
recommended that one only drinks this infusion when intending to sleep relatively soon
afterwards (within the next hour or so).
- Please take note of the list of interactions with medication below before taking the above infusion.
MEDICAL INTERACTIONS
VALERIAN ROOT
Major Interactions
Do not take this combination
- Alcohol interacts with VALERIAN
Alcohol can cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Valerian might also cause sleepiness and
drowsiness. Taking large amounts of valerian along with alcohol might cause too much
sleepiness.
- Alprazolam (Xanax) interacts with VALERIAN
Valerian can decrease how quickly the liver breaks down alprazolam. Taking valerian with
alprazolam might increase the effects and side effects of alprazolam such as drowsiness.
- Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines) interacts with VALERIAN
Valerian might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Drugs that cause sleepiness and drowsiness are called sedatives. Taking valerian along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Some of these sedative medications include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others.
- Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with VALERIAN
Valerian might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking valerian along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Taking valerian along with sedative medications used in surgery might cause prolonged sedation. Some sedative medications include pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), thiopental (Pentothal), fentanyl (Duragesic, Sublimaze), morphine, propofol (Diprivan), and others.
Moderate Interactions
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts
with VALERIAN
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Valerian might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking valerian along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking valerian, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver. Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
LEMON BALM/ MELISSA
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with LEMON BALM
Lemon balm might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking lemon balm along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.
MAGICAL USES
VALERIAN ROOT
Dream magic, reconciliation, love, and harmony. Placed in sachets for love & protection and used in sleep pillows. It is said that having Valerian Root nearby will settle an
argument between a couple. Used to purify sacred space. Used as a substitution for
graveyard dirt/dust in spells. Use in protection baths. Burn for reconciliation in ailing
relationships, but only with the permission of all parties involved in the relationship. Wear
to calm the emotions.
LEMON BALM/ MELISSA
Love, success, healing, and psychic/spiritual development. Use in love charms & spells to attract a partner. Use in healing spells & rituals for those suffering from mental or nervous disorders.