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Herbs: Valerian root - cut

Common Names: Valerian, setwell, capon’s tail
Latin Name: Valeriana officinalis

Excerpts from Left for Dead

The root of the valerian plant, which emanates a putrid odor similar to that of bad cheese or mildewed clothing, has the power to sooth the nerves, quiet heart palpitations, stimulate digestion, strengthen the circulatory system, heal ulcers, relax and smooth muscles, relieve anxiety, ease hypertension and calm hyperactivity.

Traditionally valerian has been used medicinally to treat nervous disorders, hypochondria, migraines, insomnia, depression, cramps, croup, colic, flatulence, whooping cough, typhoid, fever, epilepsy, vertigo, convulsions, diabetes, cholera, sores, heart palpitations, stomach ulcers, vaginal yeast infections, premenstrual syndrome, bed-wetting and sleep disorders.

Hundreds of experiments have been conducted on valerian primarily in Germany and Russia. These studies have substantiated the herb’s effectiveness in the treatment of nervous, circulatory, digestive and sleep disorders. Valerian root targets the higher brain centers, suppressing and regulating the autonomic nervous system. Consequently, valerian is very effective in dispelling psychosomatic diseases which result from a glitch in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Valerian pacifies the fear of hypochondriacs, soothes the nervous and calms the hysterical.

For over 10 years, valerian has been employed in Germany to treat children with behavioral disorders such as hyperactivity.

In addition to easing stress and reducing hypertension, studies have shown that valerian slows the heart rate while increasing the power of each beat, making the action of the heart more efficient and less strained. Since valerian also regulates the heart beat, it is very effective in the treatment of heart palpitations. In Guatemala, valerian is the key ingredient in an herb preparation used to lower blood pressure.

In addition to it benefits for the circulatory system, studies show valerian eases gastrointestinal ailments and aids digestion. The herb stimulates secretions in the stomach and the intestines, helping heal and prevent ulcers.

Whether taken in a tincture, tea or capsule, valerian has proven to be on of the safest and most effective sedatives available.

Although valerian can be taken in a variety of ways including elixir, extract, infusion, powder, solid or tincture, the herb should never be boiled since much of its therapeutic value is in the essential oils which would dissipate. The herb can be preserved in glycerine without any loss of potency.

Studies showed that valerian tincture was only effective in a large enough dose. One full teaspoon of tincture relieved smooth muscle spasms, induced sleep and acted as a sedative.

Adding valerian to other herb formulas enhances their tonic, antispasmodic and nervine properties. For example, a combination of hot valerian and cayenne pepper has been used to treat hysteria, convulsions and colic.

Excerpts from The How to Herb Book

Valerian root is a powerful, effective antispasmodic. It quiets, calms, and has a healing effect on the nervous system. Valerian root is a marvelous weapon against stress and nerves.

• Promotes sleep if taken at night. Has no narcotic effect.
• Relieves pain.
• Good to normalize heart palpitations, slows action of heart while strengthening it. Good for circulatory system.
• Stimulates secretion and peristaltic action of stomach and intestines.
• Anti-flatulent (gas) for adults and infants.
• Used for children with measles and scarlet fever for restlessness and pain.

Has been used in the following:

Excerpts from Nutritional Herbology

Valerian has traditionally been used as a nervine, antispasmodic and stomachic. The best results have been obtained in cases of hysteria and hypochondriac, where the primary causes of difficulty are emotional or mental. It has also been helpful for migraines and insomnia, as well as depression. Cats seem to be attracted to valerian and, along with other small mammals, have been known to appear intoxicated after ingesting it.

In centuries past, it was supposedly taken as often as coffee by ladies in Germany, resulting in lack of nervousness or irritability.

Valerian has also been employed as a sedative in the treatment of nervousness, hysteria, and convulsions. Other afflictions which valerian has been credited with curing include: bruises, coughs, croup, the plague, hypochondria, migraine headaches, epilepsy, some forms of fever and most diseases of the nervous system.

In Indo-China, the root is part of an herbal combination used to treat indigestion and toothache. It is used alone to ease inflammation.

Valerian acts as a soother and depressor of the central nervous system. Several sources indicate that it is not a narcotic, although there is disagreement on that matter. It is a good treatment for the general condition of nervousness. It increases heart action and temperature, causing a feeling of exhilaration, stimulates circulation, secretion and peristalsis for the stomach and intestines. It is eliminated from the body through the mucous membranes of the kidneys, bronchial tubes and genitourinary tract.

One interesting result of our nutritional study is that valerian root has the highest calcium content of any herb we tested. In fact, valerian farmers find that the plant prefers calcareous soils over shales.

Contains aromatic compounds that have a sedative effect, acting to decrease anxiety and aggression. These compounds also relieve smooth muscle spasms, lower blood pressure and improve sleep quality in cases of insomnia. The herb is relatively inactive in normal sleepers. Valerian is the very best herbal source of calcium and an excellent herbal source of magnesium. It has been used to treat nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, stomach cramps, muscle spasms, hysteria, and convulsions.

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