Speik myths – Alpine Valerian
It “sticks” in the Nockberge Mountains
It only grows in the Nockberge Mountains. Just two alpine farms are allowed to collect it and one company is allowed to produce natural cosmetic products with it: we are talking about Speik: Alpine Valerian.
This 5 to 15 cm tall valerian relative has the truest meaning of the word in it. People have appreciated the variety of uses for the plant for more than 2,500 years. This alpine species contains valuable and highly sought-after substances, which have made it a medicinal and aromatic plant. Strangely, the scent does not come from the flowers, but rather the roots. Skilful extraction is required to obtain the essential oil from the needles, which has yet to be synthetically reproduced because of its complex composition.
Speick has a number of health promoting effects. It:
- Strengthens your stomach
- Helps with cramps
- Has a diuretic effect
- strengthens the heart and nerves
- Strengthens your brain and extremities
Along with the above effects, the plant can reduce toothache, lower a fever and help against impotence and dizziness. People used to say: “drunk with vinegar, it will help against violent swelling of the liver and ward off jaundice.”
The history of Speik: Alpine Valerian
-
500 BC: first record of trading in the Orient - 1460 AD: Frederick III gave the city of Judenburg exclusive rights to deal with Alpine Valerian and trade it internationally. The monopoly lasted for over 100 years.
- 1787 AD: Alpine Valerian monopoly for sellers and traders ended. Now Speik could be planted anywhere.
- 1936 AD: Beginning with the implementation of the Reich Nature Protection Law of Austria, use of the plant was forbidden. During the 20th century, dried Speick plants were sent off to Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Morocco and Sudan.
Speik haunts Venice
Large hubs of trade were Venice and Trieste. Tons of Speik were shipped to Venice each year. Mules transported Speik shipments over the mountains, making certain towns and cities very important stops along the way.
Why people have named the plant after Mary Magdalene
People say that Mary Magdalene anointed Jesus with the oil of the Speik plant, leading it to be known as the Mary Magdalene plant.
Aroma drug for prisons
Small crimes were punished with Speik in the middle ages. The offender was placed in a barn with the plants and had to breathe in through their nose. Afflicted with this punishment, the criminals were unable to keep up their lies for more than a few weeks.
The Alpine Valerian harvest
One study has concluded that only half of the Speik plants should be harvested for the best results. Taking more is detrimental, while taking less is not enough. Only two farmers from the Saureggen region are allowed to harvest the plants. The Speik harvest season is between August 15th and September 8th. The roots of the plant are carefully separated and only the plant is taken. For one kilo of dried Speik you need to harvest 6 kilos of Speik – a job that can take two days.
Speik is Speick
Old medicine lists spell Speik with “ck” at the end, so the Speick-Werk company decided to use this spelling as opposed to the German spelling “Speik”. The Speick-Werk Walter Ray in Stuttgart has now been producing natural Speick cosmetics for around 75 years.
Further information:
Bad Kleinkirchheimer Tourismus Marketing GmbH
Dorfstraße 30
9546 Bad Kleinkirchheim
Tel.: +43 4240 / 8212
E-Mail: infoabc@abcbadkleinkirchheim.at
Nationalpark Nockberge
9565 Ebene Reichenau 117
Tel.: +43 4275 / 665
E-Mail: nockbergeabc@abcktn.gv.at
www.nationalparknockberge.at
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