Valerian, Flowering
(also referred to as...)
Garden Heliotrope
Latin Name: Valeriana officinalis
Family: Valerianceae
Description
Valerian is native to Europe and Asia and has been naturalized in North America. It prefers moist soil in sun or shade and is often found growing wild among grasslands, ditches, swamps, meadows, and near streams. The 1.5 metre tall perennial has irregularly divided leaves and dense clusters of small, scented pink or white flowers. Its summer blooms are followed by seeds with a tuft of white hair.
The name "valerian" may be derived from the Latin "valere" meaning "to be well". This nervine herb has a calming, relaxing, sedating effect on the body and has been in use for quite some time. Valerian was used by Hippocrates in 400 BCE and it also appears in Anglo-Saxon herbals. In the 10th century, Valerian was recommended by Arab physicians. It was used during World War I to treat shellshock (loss of memory and other functions due to prolonged psychological strain) and prescribed to English citizens during WWII to help cope with air raids.
Valerian contains valepotriate, valeric acid, valeranic acid, and valereal. These volatile oils and associated compounds make this herb quite therapeutic and account for its strong, potent "aroma". It is often combined with a mint when prepared as a tea.
