Prairie Garden; 1/1/2003; Briggs, Colin J.

Valeriana officinalis, a member of the Valerianaceae family, occurs naturally throughout Europe, extending through Northern Asia to China. Its use as a medicinal plant since the era of the Greeks and Romans has resulted in cultivation which resulted in naturalization in North America. It was grown in New World herb gardens by the early settlers and by the middle of the nineteenth century it had become established in the wild. Other species of valerian were native to North America and were used by Aboriginals as medication, and one large rooted species, Valeriana edulis, was utilized as a food after cooking.

Common names for V. officinalis include garden valerian, common valerian, all heal, set all, and surviving from the Roman era, phu. The widely used term valerian is first seen in the tenth century and is of Latin origin, based on the term valere, to be healthy. This reflects the wide range of medicinal applications for the herb in Anglo-Saxon home remedies.

Common valerian is a tall perennial, growing to approximately 130 cm. Its native habitat is marshy ground, particularly on the edges of streams. However, it adapts well to cultivation in a good quality loam. The compound leaf has paired, lance shaped leaflets with an indented margin. The plant develops an extensive root system over several years. This is the part of the plant used medicinally. It produces attractive small white flowers with a pink or lavender tinge. These occur as flat clusters in early summer and develop into small downy seeds which are distributed by the wind.

The plant has a characteristic aroma, but the fresh roots have little odour. However, when dried, the roots acquire a penetrating unpleasant smell which has been described as reminiscent of "old, unwashed socks". The scent of valerian is attractive to some animals. Cats respond to it in a manner similar to their reaction to catnip. Their response can be sufficiently energetic to destroy a plant.

Many readers will be familiar with the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin who rid the town of rats, and when not paid, he charmed the children with his music and lead them from the town, never to return. Contemporary accounts of this legend suggest that the rats were charmed by his music, but earlier accounts suggest that his success primarily was due to many pieces of valerian root which were in his pockets. Like cats, rats are attracted to this odour. It is possible that his clothing had a general aroma of valerian as the root was used in the Middle Ages as a moth repellent in stored clothing.

Cultivating Valerian

Valerian plants are available from some garden centres in the prairies and they can be transplanted into well fertilized moisture-retentive soil. Alternatively, the plants can be grown from seed or propagated by splitting established plants in Spring or Fall. When growing plants from seed, the beginner should be aware that germination is unpredictable and often slow. The seeds require light for germination, and must not be covered. After transplanting the seedlings, the plants require two or three years before harvesting the roots if they are to be used medicinally. Older plants will have a greater mass of root for harvest. However most people cultivating valerian in gardens tend to grow it for horticultural interest rather than medicinal use.

The Herbal Cure-All

Current usage of valerian as a herbal product is primarily as a sedative or sleep aid. Earlier applications were more wide ranging and most have not been supported by modern methods of evaluation. Roman and Greek physicians used valerian as a pain killer, an antidote to various poisons and to reduce fluid in the body. Medieval herbalists in Europe praised it as a sleep aid and mild tranquilizer.

In 1653, Culpepper, the famous British apothecary/physician published his "Complete Herbal" which was the state-of-the-art text of the era. He cites the use of valerian root and extracts "to provoke urine, comfort the heart and stir up lust." It was alleged to help menses, ease colds in the head, take away headaches, and used externally a poultice would cure wounds and ulcers, and draw out thorns. The root was reputed to be "warming and comforting" and was recommended for coughs, to expectorate phlegm and to ease breathing. Similar recommendations are made in other early British books on herbal medicines. However, there is no evidence for the aphrodisiac claims!

Use of Valerian in Recent Centuries

For the past two hundred years the primary uses of valerian have been as a tranquilizer and sleep inducer. It was included in the United States Pharmacopeia in 1820 and remained an official herbal medicine until 1950. With the introduction of synthetic agents with similar properties, such as Valium[R], the prescribing of valerian decreased, although it continued in moderate use in Europe. The increased interest in herbal medicines and the decreased acceptance of the synthetic medications for sleep and tranquilizer effects has resulted in a resurgence in the prescribing of valerian and its extracts. In the First World War there were few products available to those suffering mental disturbances or "shell shock" after prolonged service in the trenches under fire at the military front. Valerian was widely administered to treat these symptoms. Today its most common application is as a sleep aid and relaxant. Its widespread use in folk medicine as a natural sedative has been supported by anecdotal and scientific evidence. Its sleep inducing properties are non-addictive, and when appropriate doses are consumed, the quality of sleep is good. Valerian does not produce the morning-after hangover experienced with some insomnia treatments.

Herbalists recommend valerian in several forms, all derived-from the root. The powdered root may be encapsulated or included in tablets. Standardised solid extracts are available containing specific amounts of valepotriates and/or valerenic acid, ingredients which probably contribute to the therapeutic activity. These extracts are also supplied as capsules and tablets. The root frequently is consumed as an infusion of 3 grams of herb in 250 mL water, taken in teaspoon (5 mL) doses. Alcoholic extracts, known as tinctures, also are available.

Valerian cannot be considered as the cure-all that is suggested by a review of older literature on this plant. However, anecdotal and scientific studies support its value as a sleep-aid and in reducing anxiety and tension. Its traditional use as an additive to a hot bath provides an excellent example of a complementary physiological effect, producing relaxation. However, the odour may have a negative effect, and this therapy is not appropriate for those taking other tranquilizers or suffering from heart problems. Also, valerian has not been proven safe in pregnancy or while breast feeding.

Dried and powdered valerian rhizome contains between 0.2 and 2.0% volatile oil. This can be isolated by steam distillation and used in low concentrations in natural perfumes. A standard guide to fragrance ingredients describes the oil as having a "harsh spicy-balsamic odour which displays considerable originality." As such, it has been incorporated into men's toiletry products.

Valerian is an example of the many plants which are grown for ornamental value, but have other traditional uses, often in medicinal or culinary areas. The history of this plant goes back several thousand years, but it deserves a place in more gardens as an interesting "discussion piece" which has value as an addition to the more frequently grown flora in prairie gardens.

Annuals for Fragrance: 
 
Clarkia amoena (farewell-to-spring) 
Cleome hasslerana (spider flower) 
Dianthus chinensis (China pink) 
Erysimum cheiri (wallflower) 
Heliotropium arborescens (heliotrope) 
Lathyrus odoratus (sweet pea) 
Lobularia maritime (sweet alyssum) 
Matthiola incana (stock) 
Nicotiana alata (flowering tobacco) 
Pelargonium spp. (scented geranium) 
Petunia x hybrida (petunia) 
Phlox drummondii (annual phlox) 
--Better Homes and Gardens 
New Complete Guide to Gardening 

Colin J. Briggs teaches natural health products at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba.