Valerian

Valerian: Valeriana officinalis

Family: Valerianaceae (Valerian Family)

Valerian is an herb that has a long history of use around the world.  Although the officinalis spp. was the official herb in the United States Pharmacopiea from 1820 - 1942, many other native Valerianas grow around the world and have been used medicinally as well.

Some of these different species include:

V. sitchensis in the western mid elevations of North America

V. sylvatica in Canada

V. mexicana found in Mexico

V. Jatamansi in India

V. capensis in South Africa

V. Phu in western Asia and southern Europe

Recorded historical use of valerian goes at least as far back as Galen (130–200 CE) who administered valerian for a variety of ailments. More recently it was used in both WWI and WWII for soldiers experiencing nervous disorders.

In an herbal monograph regarding various Valeriana species, Sage Wheeler reports that in North America:

V. sylvatica was used by Canadian Indian warriors as a wound antiseptic. Many tribes used the herb for treating nervous conditions and insomnia. The Blackfoot also used it to treat stomach problems, while several tribes, including the Thompsons of British Columbia and the Menominee, have used valerian root topically to treat cuts and wounds.

If you’ve ever taken valerian extracts or made it into various herbal brews you are familiar with its unique scent. I think of it as a pleasant earthy and musky aroma and it was in fact used in perfumes in the 16^th century. Cats and rats alike are stimulated by the smell. Their reaction is very reminiscent to catnip-induced flurries. Some versions of the Pied Piper story say that it was valerian in his pockets as well as his trusty pipes that enabled him to lead the rats out of Hamelin, Germany.

Some people find valerian’s scent to be repugnant and I’ve heard it described as a cross between dirty gym socks and a wet dog. Many herbalists agree that if you do not like the smell of valerian roots it may not be the right herb for you.

Today it is most commonly known as a sedative and relaxing nervine and it is used extensively for insomnia and restlessness. However, valerian, like most herbs, has many different applications as well as special indications.

Valerian has an affinity for the nervous system in that it not only calms restless minds and promotes sleep, but it also can quell muscle spasms such as menstrual cramps, back spasms, and even restless legs. Herbal applications for spasms can include internal as well as external use.  In these cases I most often use valerian as a tincture internally and the same preparation externally as a liniment.

The combination of easing tension and being an effective anti-spasmodic makes valerian useful for a variety of complaints including hypertension, dry spasmodic coughs, and intestinal cramping related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Valerian has a slightly bitter flavor and is also a carminative, giving it a further affinity for the digestive tract.

I find it to be particularly helpful for those dry spasmodic coughs that often affect people long after other symptoms of their cold and flu have receded. This tickling, persistant and often times painful cough often affects people as they are laying down to sleep at night. Valerian tincture acts quickly to quell the cough and promote much needed restful sleep. 

Most commonly, the rhizomatic root is the part used; however, this summer I spoke to herbalists who were using the aerial portions, either in addition to the root, or by themselves. Paul Bergner explained to me that many of the plants that were a part of the official pharmacopoeia of the United States were commonly used as roots because they stored better than the aerial leaves and flowers. However, with many of these plants like Valerian or Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) the aerial portions can be used as well. I look forward to experimenting with the aerial portions as well as the roots!

Valerian has pale yellow rhizomatic roots. In regards to the doctrine of signatures these roots look like a bundle of nerves.

The roots are typically harvested in the autumn or early spring. Preparations from the fresh root are preferable. Many herbalists say that valerian shouldn’t be taken continuously for long amounts of time. Michael Moore tells us that dried valerian root especially should not be taken continuously for several weeks at a time. 

Valerian’s flowers can be white to pink, terminating in a broad cyme, as shown below. It typically blooms from June to September.

Gregory Tilford, in his book From Earth to Herbalist, writes that valerian is easy to grow and can be a great addition to the herbalist’s garden. The roots are harvested when at least two years old and can be divided and planted again. 

Herbalism is an art of matching herbs with people and we can do this well by keeping the plant’s energetic tendencies in mind. Energetically valerian is considered to be a warming, drying, and slightly bitter herb. It seems to be most suited for frail, pale, cold, deficient constitutions rather than those warm/hot constitutions with excessive tendencies.

In her book Healing with the Herbs of Life, Lesley Tierra says that “Valerian is a distinctly warming herb, great for those people who suffer from nervousness, insomnia, and muscle spasms due to a cold condition.”

Matthew Wood describes a good match with valerian to be someone who has cold pallid skin, is anemic, and nervous.

About 10 – 20 % of the population experiences valerian as a stimulating nervine instead of a relaxing nervine. This may be due to valerian not being suited to a person’s constitution as described above. Also, taken in too high doses valerian can have the opposite effect.