Valerian

Valerian is best known its sedating properties, but I have also found it to be an effective for pain and even coughs.  Valerian is a perennial in Minnesota, making it a great permaculture plant to add to your medicinal herb garden

The blossoms are pale pink and then turn white.

When we first banished all over-the-counter and prescription drugs from our home, it was scary to think that I may lack the knowledge to treat all our family's ills.  But it also galvanized my efforts to learn more about plant medicine.

Click Read More (below) to see the complete post.

It was during this time that our adult son came to stay with us and was struck with a debilitating headache.  My first response was fever few and when that didn't work I started paging through by herbal guides searching for an alternative treatment.  

Rosemary Gladstar suggested 1/4 to 1 tsp of valerian tincture hourly until the pain subsided.  I dutifully brought a small glass of water laced with valerian tincture to my son's bed each hour.  Although the taste and smell were strong, he drank it down.  And after a few hours, the pain subsided and he was able to rest comfortably.

Fast forward two years and I had the opportunity to try it myself when I had pain radiating from my lower back down both legs. I learned that when you are experiencing back pain, there this no comfortable position accepted walking, and that made getting through the night time hours really rough.  

My supply of valerian was low, but I found enough to get me through the first night.  Luckily a chiropractor adjustment on Monday got my spine back in line and alleviated the pain.

This fall our valerian plant was in its second year and ready to harvest, just in time to replenish my supply of valerian tincture.

Growing and Harvesting

Valerian can be started by seed or by planting a root division.  It grows tall and with frequent rain falls can put up flower stalks that are over 6 feet tall.  This makes valerian a great background plant for your herbal garden.  And as a bonus, the summer time blooms fill the air with sweet perfume.

Once valerian is established in your garden it will readily self seed, producing an ongoing supply of plants.

The lush green growth of valerian in early summer.

Fragrant valerian flowers rising up high above the foliage.

I was very surprised when I dug up the valerian root.  I assumed the roots would be carrot shaped like the tap root of most medicinal plants, but what I found instead was a mop of stringy roots.

Valerian roots are shallow and wide.

After I shook off some of the soil, I knew immediately that this was, indeed valerian.  The roots have a distinctive smell that is very pungent.  If you have used valerian tincture and know the smell, you will find that the roots have the exact scent.  This unmistakable odor makes valerian an easy herb to correctly identify.

The roots look much smaller after most of the soil is removed.

After the newly dug roots dried for a few hours, I shook off the remaining soil and then gave them a thorough rinse to remove the dirt and debris that still clung to the roots.  Then allowed them to dry overnight.

These roots remind me of the rag mop used in my elementary school.

As I was cleaning the roots I notice that each large root is made up of many small crowns that can be separated.  

These crowns can each be replanted and will grow a new plant.  So you can dig the roots, harvest what you need and then plant the remaining crowns so you always have valerian growing in your garden.

This is the top view of one of the crowns.

The harvested roots can be chopped and then either infused in vodka to make a tincture or dried for future use in teas or other formulas.  Since the roots are so thin, they are easy to chop by hand.

Chopped valerian root, ready for tincturing and drying.

While I was chopping the roots, the smell was overwhelming and I found myself coughing every now and again.  The whole kitchen smelled like valerian - this is one potent herb!

My harvest!  Enough tincture to last many years.

Medicinal Uses

Valerian has a long history of use as one of the safest and most powerful herbal nervines.  It is used for all types of stress, insomnia, anxiety, and for relieving muscle pain; especially in the smooth muscles of the colon, uterus, and bronchial passages. 

Valerian is non addictive, does not impair driving ability, and produces no morning hangover feeling. Use valerian for;

• an effective sleep aid when experiencing difficulty falling asleep due to nervousness
•  a mild tranquiler when experiencing emotional stress or exhaustion
• abdominal cramps due to nervousness  
• menstrual cramps
• coughs
• headaches and pain
• anxiety that leads to an irregular heart beat
• muscle tension and backache

Passionflower is often mixed with valerian to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. A combination of valerian and hawthorn berry has been used to treat high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat.

A Word of Caution

While the vast majority of the population will find the effects of valerian to be relaxing and sedating.  A smaller percentage (about 5 %) cannot process the isovalerenic and valerenic acids found in the plant and will experience irritation and stimulating. 

You will not know if you are one of the 5% until you try valerian.  If you experience restlessness after taking valerian, know that it is not the herb for you.  

Please note: The objective of this blog is to raise awareness of alternative ways to achieve wellness and to empower you to take an active role in your health decisions.  To accomplish this, you will need to explore these subjects in greater depth and then determine what makes sense for your life.  My hope is that this information will inspire you to start your own search into ways to make your life happier, healthier and more fulfilling.