Valerian Officinalis
Source
Valerian is the root of a perennial member of the valerian
family found in eastern, southeastern, and eastcentral
Europe, to south Sweden and the southern Alps. It escaped
from cultivation in the northeastern United States and is
commercially grown in Europe, the United States, and
elsewhere.
Traditional Use
Valerian, not a major medicinal plant of the ancient
classical authors, was best known to them as a diuretic and
treatment for menstrual difficulties. The Greek physician
Galen used it for epilepsy in children and adults. An Italian
nobleman, Fabio Colonna, born in 1567, suffered from epilepsy
and found Galen's reference. He took valerian himself and
claimed it completely restored his health. His words
stimulated interest in the plant as a sedative. Use of
valerian to relieve spasms and as a sleep aid evolved in the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Current Status
Valerian is widely used in Europe as a mild nerve sedative
and sleep aid for insomnia, excitability, and exhaustion.
Experimental studies have shown that it depresses the central
nervous system and relieves muscle spasms. Its sedative
action is attributed to a number of chemical fractions, with
no single compound emerging as the active principle. In the
1980s Swiss researchers studied the effects of valerian water
extracts on sleep patterns. Sleep quality was assessed by the
patients and by laboratory measures. The time taken to fall
asleep was reduced, especially in older patients and
insomniacs. Dream recall and nocturnal movement were
apparently not affected. No hangover effect, a common
complaint among users of synthetic sedatives, was reported
the following morning.
http://www.allnatural.net/herbpages/valerian.shtml
Perennial. Valerian is Donna Childs' sole remedy for
insomnia and it almost always works quickly and
effectively. Plants grow up to 5 feet tall with white,
pink, or lavender flowers. The root is of the greatest
benefit and is harvested from 2 year old plants. Has a
distinctive musty odor. This natural tranquilizer reduces
anxiety and is thought to benefit hyperactive children.
http://www.superseeds.com/herb_seeds.htm
Valerian is a hardy perennial growing from 1-1.5 metres
tall, producing from a basal clump of feathery foliage,
hollow flower stems with high bearing flat topped clusters
of tiny pale pink fragrant flowers that smell rather like
heliotrope all summer. The strong smelling root when
disturbed is attractive to cats, like Catnip. Medicinally
Valerian is grown for its roots, which are dried and used
for teas and tonics, and was popular in Victorian times as
a sleeping draught. Allow 50-100cm between plants.
Note:This variety should not be confused with the False
Valerian or Red Spur Valerian, Latin name Centranthus
rubra. Perennial 100cm 1.2.3.B
http://www.gardenews.co.nz/kp46.htm
Quote of the Month!
"Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech
food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible.
Assuring its safety is the FDA's job."
- Phil Angell, Monsanto's Director of Corporate
Communications, New York Times 10/25/98
(Doesn't this just make you feel good all over?)
http://www.planetherbs.com/
Compiled 4th April 2002 by Nick Edmunds -
nick@nedmunds.demon.co.uk