VALERIAN

COMMON NAME: COMMON VALERIAN, GARDEN HELIOTROPE

LATIN NAME: Valeriana officinalis

FAMILY: Valerianceae

HISTORY: Valeriana officinalis was used by Hippocrates in the forth century BC and it appears in Anglo-Saxon herbals. Its name may be derived from the Latin “valere” meaning “to be well”. In the 10th century this herb was recommended by Arab physicians and was also used during World War I to treat shellshock(loss of memory and other functions due to prolonged psychological strain).

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: Perennial with irregularly divided leaves. Dense clusters of small scented pink or white flowers appear in summer followed by seeds with a tuft of white hairs.

TYPE: PERENNIAL HEIGHT: 1.5 M SPREAD: 1.2 M HARDINESS ZONES: 5-9

HABITAT: Native to Europe and Asia, naturalized in North America. Prefers moist soil in sun or shade often found growing wild in grasslands, ditches, swamp meadowland,near streams. Blooms from June to September.

Remove flowers to encourage rhizome growth.

PROPAGATION: By seed sown in spring or by division in spring or autumn.

PARTS USED: rootstock- rhizomes, roots and stolons

HARVEST: Rhizomes and roots are lifted in second year after leaves have died off in the fall can be used fresh or cut and dried.

CONSTITUENTS: The active constituents are complex and not fully understood. The roots contain iridoids known as “valepotriates” that regulate the functioning of the nervous system.

PROPERTIES:Nervine, sedative, hypnotic, central nervous system depressant, relaxant, antidepressant, antispasmodic, hypotensive, diuretic, carminative, stomachic

INDICATIONS: used for nervous tension,anxiety, stress, insomnia and disturbed sleep patterns-improve quality of sleep without causing “hangover”

useful for cramps,migraine headaches, rheumatic pain, exhaustion

used topically as a compress soaked in tincture for bruising, especially

deep bruising, crushing wounds.

DOSAGE: INFUSION- 1-2 tsp. Powdered root per cup of water, steep for 15 minutes and take t.i.d.

TINCTURE- 3-5ml t.i.d.(three times per day)

CAPSULES/PILLS- this is a very unpleasant tasting/smelling herb so this is the method of choice.

Take 4 pills or 2-4 capsules(“00”) every 4 hours as needed-not to exceed 16/day.

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COMBINATIONS: tension: scullcap (Scutellarial lateriflora)

insomnia: passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), hops (Humulus lupulus)

cramps: crampbark (Viburnum opulus)

coughs: licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

bruising wounds: st. john’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)

CONTRAINDICATIONS/WARNINGS: In a small percentage of people valerian causes hyperactivity. Potential toxicity form valepotriates is avoided because of the rapid degradation of these constituents, so that they are rarely found in preparations. Oral ingestion of valepotriates is countered by poor absorption of the toxic elements. Prolonged use, especially of high doses may lead to headaches and palpitations. Valeriana should not be used in combination with sleep inducing drugs as it enhances their effect. It is unwise to drive etc. while taking valerian.

KETTLEBY HERB FARMS@1997 970225VA

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