The whole question of its smell is an interesting one. The root develops a strong unpleasant odour as it dries, yet was used as a spice and a perfume in the Middle Ages. Cats are intoxicated by the musky smell of the plant, especially if bruised, and will roll in it and it seems rats are affected in a similar way - it has even been suggested that the Pied Piper of Hamlin owed his success as a rat-catcher to the valerian he secreted about his person.It is the root which is now used and referred to in modern herbals, yet the Anglo-Saxons used it as a salad and Culpeper commented that 'the green herb being bruised and applied to the head taketh away pain'.
Its fame as a tranquilizer and sedative has overshadowed a range of other medicinal applications - it was recommended at various times for treating coughs, combatting the plague and curing epilepsy, as well as deterring witches and attracting suitors! Its effectiveness as a reliable, calming sedative has long been recognised: a 14th century recipe recommends the juice to stop men fighting and it was widely used in the First World War to treat shell-shock.
It is now valued as a safe effective sedative that does not react with alcohol, create dependency or creat 'hangover' type after-effects. It is most commonly taken as an infusion of the crushed root (1 tspn to 1 cup of boiling water steeped for 20mins) 2 to 3 times daily. Alternatively, a tablespoon steeped for 8hours in a glass of tepid water is taken as a bedtime drink. The tincture can be used in place of an infusion, a teaspoon taken on a sugar lump 2 to 3 times daily, though the effects and dosage can vary markedly: some people may require up to 5ml while in others this much could cause headaches. For this reason, a low dose of 1 to 2ml is recommended at least to begin with.
It is as a powerful nervine that Valerian is nowadays applied medicinally, taken internally to treat hysteria, hyperactivity, anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia, nervous indigestion/ stomach and intestine problems, headaches, IBS and eczema. It is also used internally for painful menstruation and migraine. Externally, it encourages healing in wounds and ulcers and is effective topically for muscle cramps (a pad soaked in tincture is used).
CAUTION: High doses or continued use can lead to headaches and palpitations, so a break is recommended after 2 to 3 weeks. Valerian is contra-indicated for other sedative or anti-depressant drugs.
A bitter, sedative, stimulant, warming herb.
It calms nerves, relaxes spasms, improves digestion, relieves pain and lowers blood pressure. It is expectorant and diuretic.
Its flowers, which are pale pink to white, can be found from May to September.
A late medieval direction says that the roots are collected in August.
A note on Red Valerian
The true medicinal valerian is commonly confused with Red Valerian (centranthus rubra), a decorative plant introduced from the Mediterranean but now naturalised in southern England. This plant is edible, both leaves and roots being used as food in parts of Europe, and has crimson, pink or rarely white flowers from June to September. It was once known as 'valerian rubra' but it does not have the medicinal qualities of common valerian described above.
PLEASE NOTE: These notes on the history and use of herbs have been compiled for general interest and are not intended as medical advice, for which you should consult a professional herbalist.
BIBLIOGRAPY:
'Herbs and Healing Plants of Britain and Europe' Dieter Podlech, trans.Martin Walters (1996)
'Leechcraft: Early English Charms, Plantlore and Healing' Stephen Pollington (2000)
'A Modern Herbal' Mrs M. Grieve FRHS ed. Mrs C. F. Leyel (1973)
'The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal' Penelope Ody MNIMH (1993)
'RHS Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses' Deni Brown (2002)
