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:

Powdered Herb:

There are different ways to use powdered herb.

Food Preparation: You can add powdered herbs to any super food, herbal smoothie, sauces, spreads and even cookies. Also for children, you can mix powdered herbs with honey or glycerin to make a paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help the medicine go down. This method is also known as "Electuaries".

Capsules: Encapsulating your own powdered herb at home, give you assurance that the contents of the capsules are pure herb and no filler or any other products. These capsules can be taken with liquid.

Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.

Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

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 Powder