Valerian is a tall, erect perennial herb that loves damp fields but will grow in dryer areas. It has a hollow stem and white to pink flowers with an unusual but pleasant smell. Cats and rats both love the smell of the root. The attraction to rats makes it an appropriate bait for traps.
The name of the herb Valerian tells it all. It comes from the Latin “valere” which means “to be in health”. This healing herb’s root was used all over the world from the Nordic, Chinese and Persian herbalists to the Canadian Indian warriors that carried it to heal their wounds. The smell is not very pleasant and the root won’t find its way to the potpourri dish. It smells it’s best fresh, much like old leather, but once you dry it, it changes to an odor reminiscent of stale perspiration. It’s ironic that V.phu, the old name for valerian, is the same noise you make when you smell it.
Valerian” width=”150″ height=”150″ />
Its use varied through the centuries. Ancient Greeks used it to treat all varieties of diseases from liver problems, urinary tract infections, and digestive ailments to insomnia. The herb was a treatment for unruly children in Germany and as a coffee substitute there. During the medieval times, it was a condiment and later used in perfumes.
There are many uses for Valerian. Probably the best known is its use as a treatment for insomnia. Many of these studies prove small and inconclusive. Even though the effects of the valerian are less than those of prescription drugs, the side effect of the groggy, day after hang over is eliminated. The withdrawal symptoms from prescription drugs often include the inability to sleep naturally. This is not a side effect of valerian either.
Two compounds found in the essential oil of valerian are valerenic acid and bornyl that seem to be the reason it has tranquilizing effects. In theory, it affects the neurotransmitters. While there is a great deal of divergence in the studies of its benefits, new studies are now in progress, which should settle the debate.
During both the first and second World Wars, the military used valerian to treat shell shock and nervous conditions. There is no scientific study to prove its effectiveness. Doctors administered valerian as a drug for other maladies such as gastrointestinal spasms, epileptic seizures and even attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Extraction of the essential oil from valerian root is by steam distillation. This relieves some of the odor and the oil that remains has a woody, balsamic fragrance. Many times, it’s mixed with citrus oils and used in preparations for a soothing, relaxing massage oil for insomnia, migraines and headaches.
There are potential side effects of the valerian. Pregnant, nursing mothers and children should not take it. If you take other herbs or medications for insomnia, it is not wise to take valerian. Nor, should you take it with any barbiturates, antidepressants or narcotics. Since it breaks down in the liver, it might interfere with other medications that also use the liver enzymes like cholesterol medications, allergy medications, anti-fungal drugs and some cancer medications.
