VALERIAN Valerian officinalis, L.( N. O.: Valerianaceae)
Common Names: Great Will Valerian, Setwell, Capon’ s Tail. Features: Valerian type genus incorporate many species of herbs or shrubs growing in Africa, Britain, Greece, U. S. A., etc. The flowers have five parted perianths and funnel-shaped, short-spurred corollas which are generally of a pale rose colour, flowering June to August. The Calyx, which is rudimentary, when in flower becomes a feathery pappus at the top of the fruit. The plant is often cultivated in gardens for its flowers and its root. It has an erect, round, pale greenish stem, 2 – 5 ft. long. The leaves are simple or pinnate, without stipules; ascending rhizome, with many fibrous roots. Has a warm, camphoraceous, slightly bitter, somewhat acrid and nauseous taste growing stronger with age. Cats are very fond of the odour of Valerian and tear the plant to pieces and roll in it. They are said even to dig up the roots and devour them. The root as trap bait attracts rats if you don’ t have a cat around to catch them.
Found in many damp places, low-lying meadows and woods, along banks of rivers and lakes and in marshy, swampy ground generally. The carrot-like roots of V. edulis, a tall glabrous plant of the western U. S. A. with undivided stem leaves, and yellowish-white flowers in elongated panicles, are eaten by the Indians either raw or dried. The Piutes even grind them into flour and use in the form of bread or mush. To this day in northern England the dried root is used in broths, pottage or physical meats as a counter-poison and medicinal preservative against pestilence, as are treacles, mithridates, etc. Besides valerianic acid the root contains starch, albumen, valerian yellow extractive matter, balsamic resin, mucilage, valerianate of potash, malates of potash, lime, phosphate of lime and silica. Medicinal Part: The root. Solvent: Water. Bodily Influence: Antispasmodic, Calmative, Stimulating Tonic, Nervine. Uses: Valerian is used by Herbalists today as a nerve tonic. Is best combined with Skull cap( Scutellaria), Blue vervain( Verbena hastata), and Mistletoe( Viscum album). Gentian( Gentiana lutea) and Peppermint( Mentha piperita) increase the promptness of its action, which is more effective than when combined with bromide. Employed in epileptic fits, St. Vitus dance, nervous derangement or irritations, debility, hysterical affections( especially female), restlessness, and in wakefulness during fever. Valerian excites the cerebro-spinal system. In medicinal doses it acts as a stimulating tonic, antispasmodic and calmative. In large doses it causes headaches, mental excitement, visual illusions, giddiness, restlessness, agitation and even spasmodic movement. Dose: Of the tincture, 1 – 2 teaspoonfuls three times a day; of the infusion, a wineglassful; of the extract, 3 – 6 grains; of the oil, 5 drops. Externally: An infusion of ½ cupful of the root can be used in the bath to relieve nervous exhaustion. Russian Experience: Valeriana is known to Folk Medicine as having a general calming and sedative effect on the central nervous system, to induce sleep and rest, spasms of the stomach, intestines and blood vessels, nervous heart conditions. Further acknowledgement as appetizer, headache relief, hysteria, epilepsy, tape worm, diarrhoea, lose stomach, fever. Externally: Vapour baths given to children will quieten and encourage restful sleep( Bello-Russ. Academy of Science, Minsk, 1965). Clinically: Extracts of Valerian are used in compounds of tablets, tinctures, etc.