Botanical Name: Valeriana officinalis

Common Name:

English: Valerian, Common Valerian
Ayurvedic: Tagara, Nata, Baalaka
Also, known as: All Heal, Akar Pulepandak, Amantilla, Amantilla, Balderbrackenwurzel, Baldrian, Baldrianwurzel, Cat’s Love, Cat’s Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Great Wild Valerian, Ka-No-Ko-So, Katzenwurzel, Kesso Root, Kissokon, Kuanyexiccao, Luj, Nard, Ntiv, Racine De Valeriane, St. George’s Herb, Setwall, Setewale, Txham Laaj, Valerian Fragrant, Valerian, Valeriana, Valeriana Extranjera, Valeriana Rhizome, Valeriane, Vandal Root, Valeriana Radix, Waliryana, Wild Valerian, Sugandhabaalaa, Taggar, Belgian Valerian, Capon’s Tail, English Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, German Valerian, Great Wild Valerian, Heliotrope, Indian Valerian, and Vermont Valerian

Origin: Poland

Harvested: Cultivated

Parts Used: Root or rhizome

General Information:

Valeriana officinalis is a 1-4 feet tall perennial plant whose underground portion consists of a vertical rhizome bearing numerous rootlets. The rhizome is light grayish brown, about the size of a finger joint, bearing many rootlets. The fresh root has no odor, while the dried root smells distinctly unpleasant, akin to old gym socks, due to isovaleric acid. Strong-smelling roots yield the drug valerian which has been used for many years in herbal medicines for treating a large number of problems. Leaves are odd-pinnate, up to 8" long, each leaf having 7-10 pairs of toothed, lance-shaped leaflets. The upper leaflet surface is medium to dark green and glabrous, while the lower surface is paler and either glabrous or slightly hairy. Leaves are aromatic when bruised. Individual trumpet-shaped flowers are about 4-7 mm long, consisting of a light pink or white corolla with 5 spreading lobes, a short green calyx with 5 teeth, 3 stamens, and a pistil with a style that is tripartite at its tip.

How to use:

Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Valerian Root Cut