Milamores or red valerian: discover its relaxing properties and how to use it

Since mid-April, the slopes and roadsides are dyed pink from the beautiful flowers of the my loves (Centranthus ruber). In some parts of Spain, such as Catalonia, it is also known as Herb of Sant Jordi or St. George’s wort, because its flowering usually occurs around April 23.

The truth is that, although depending on the latitude and the climate, it is possible to find flowery milamores even well into the month of October. In addition to banks and ditches, it is common to see them next to walls and crags, as well as on lots and roads. They are also planted as an ornament in parks and gardens.

Milamores is a slender, bluish-green plant up to a meter tall, glabrous, with hollow stems, lanceolate-oval leaves and tiny bright pink or whitish-pink flowers gathered in dense conical inflorescences. They give off a pleasant aroma.

It is a very common plant in the lSpanish Mediterranean itoral and pre-coastal, but it can also be found on the Cantabrian coast and in Portugal. In the center of the Peninsula it is already rarer to find.

The milamores rootwhich must be collected in autumn, is used for medicinal purposes.

Medicinal properties

Milamores shares much of its medicinal properties with valerian, to whom it is closely related. Contains valeric acid, essential oil, sesquiterpenes with valeranone and valeriopotrates, alkaloids and tannins.

It acts as a sedative and antispasmodic as active as valerian, and often used for the same purposes. Years ago it had been a remedy widely used by Catalan and Majorcan herbalists, although modernly other sedatives such as passionflower or hawthorn have been gaining ground.

What is milamores or red valerian for?

It is very appropriate for calm the nerves, in situations of irritability, stress, hyperactivity and anxiety attacks.

It is also indicated to appease seizures and nervous tics and also as support against epileptic seizures.

The relaxing power of milamores is demonstrated effective in excited children and when the nerves do not let sleep. In many Catalan country houses it was common to use the dried and crushed plant of milamores to fill small pillows which was given to very active or especially agitated children in order to calm them down and facilitate a restful sleep.

Infusion recipes with milamores

Here are three infusions with milamores to relax, depending on the effect you want to further enhance:

Relaxing tisane against insomnia: A good sedative formula, suitable for those who suffer from insomnia, is prepared by combining milamore root with passion flower, orange blossom and lemon balm in equal parts, at a rate of two tablespoons of the mixture for every half liter of water.How to prepare it: Boil the two tablespoons of the mixture for 1 minute, infuse for another 10 more and strain. It can be taken throughout the day.To combat tics and nervous seizures: The milamores is mixed with lime blossom, mugwort and passion flower. Three cups a day should be taken, fasting and sweetened with honey.Herbal tea for anxiety and insomnia. The simple decoction of milamores, taken in the middle of the afternoon, can be a good alternative to a cup of tea or coffee for those who find it difficult to fall asleep.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”