Part of the plant used for medicinal purposes: the root (Valerianae radix)
Other name: garden valerian, garden heliotrope, setwall, all-heal, cat’s love.
Description and harvesting
Valerian is an ancient healing plant. The Latin word valere means to be healthy. The root is most widely used and it is picked in September and October. The flowers and leaves are picked from May to September and used for tincture. The roots are simply rinsed and quickly dried at 35 °C – this is how they get their typical fragrance that attracts and irritates cats.
Constituents and medicinal use
Cold extracts are prepared from chopped roots: soak 1–2 teaspoons in a cup of water for 10 hours and sip during the day. Drops: soak the roots in spirit and take 30–50 drops or one teaspoon per one cup of water. Tincture from soaked flower: 1 teaspoon per 0.25 litre of water. Valerian calms the nerves and soothes heart and stomach inflammation. It regulates an accelerated heartrate, helps with depression and increases appetite. To boost its effect, hops and anise are added to the tea. Infuse 2 teaspoons of this blend with 0.25 l of boiling water, cover, strain after about an hour and sip while warm. This tea works well for hysteria, migraine, dizziness, anxiety nausea. For insomnia, the effect is increased by adding hops to the tea. Take 1 teaspoon of the extract or tincture per half a cup of water half an hour before bedtime and sweeten with chestnut honey. In case of anxiety, before exams or driving, it is recommended to drink a cup of valerian tea; add lemon balm. Valerian tea is also used for exhaustion, cramps, in menopause.
Monk Simon Ašič’s product containing valerian:
Sources:
1. Kukman J. Domača lekarna patra Simona Ašiča. Priročnik za nabiranje zdravilnih rastlin. Celjska Mohorjeva družba, Celje, 2007.
2. Kukman J. Domača lekarna patra Simona Ašiča. Recepti. Celjska Mohorjeva družba, 2006.
3. Willfort R. Zdravline rastline in njih uporaba. Založba obzorja Maribor.
