Botanical Name: Valeriana officinalis

Plant Family: Valerianaceae

Common Names: All-Heal, Amantilla, Baldrian,  Great Wild Valerian, Phu, Setwall

Origin: Europe and Northern Asia

History: Some say the plant is named after Valerius, who first used it in medicine, while others derive the name from the Latin valere, which means 'to be in health'. The plant was so highly esteemed in medieval times as a remedy that it was given the name All-Heal.

'It is under the dominion of Mercury....' - Culpepper

Tradition: In the 13th century the Pied Piper of Hamelin was thought to have really rid the town of rats by rubbing himself with Valerian as cats and rats find the smell irresistible

Valerian was used:

• in purification baths
• in spells of love
• to get fighting couples back together

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• acetic acid
• borneol, an alcohol
• Chatarine, an alkaloid
• formic acid
• glucoside
• gums
• isovalerianic acid
• phosphorous
• pinene
• resins
• silica
• Valerianine, an alkaloid
• volatile oil
• yellowish-green to brownish-yellow oil

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Root

Valerian is used for:

Brain and Nervous Conditions

• anxiety
• breathlessness
• epilepsy (combined with Mistletoe)
• giddiness and fainting fits
• has a remarkable influence on the cerebro-spinal system.
• hypochrondriasis (abnormal concern about one's health)
• hysteria
• insomnia
• migraines (does not cause side effects like normal sleeping tablets do, it strengthens the nerves instead of anesthetizing them )
• nervous unrest and nervous tension
• neuralgia
• neurasthenia
• St. Vitus Dance

Cardiovascular Conditions

• lowers blood pressure (combined with Mistletoe)
• palpitations of the heart
• strengthens the heart

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• diverticulitis
• irritable bowel
• nervous dyspepsia
• nervous stomach
• stimulates digestion
• stomach cramps

Female Conditions

• menstrual cramps

Liver Conditions

• aids liver function

Respiratory Conditions

• head congestion
• helps loosen phlegm in difficult coughs and lung congestion (combined with Anise and Licorice)

Other

• muscle spasms
• relieves pain

Externally the pure oil of Valerian can be used for spinal rubs in diseases where the spinal cord needs:

• lessened sensibility to pain
• stimulation

Other Uses:

• Increases earthworms in the garden
• It has the ability to stir up and increase phosphorous activity in the soil around it
• Provides rich mineral content to compost

Action: 

• anodyne [an agent that soothes or relieves pain)
• antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
• aromatic [a substance having an agreeable odor and stimulating qualities]
• calmative [an agent that has a mild sedative or tranquilizing effect]
• carminative [an agent for easing griping pains, colic and expelling gas from the intestines]
• diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
• expectorant [an agent that promotes the discharge of mucous and secretions from the respiratory passages]
• nervine [an agent that has a calming or soothing effect on the nerves, any agent that acts on the nervous system to restore the nerves to their natural state]
• relaxant
• sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
• stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
• tranquilizer (without any sluggish effects on the user)

Precautions

Caution:  

Valerian is not habit forming but should not be taken long-term as it can cause mental depression in some people after a long period of time.

If taken in excess it can cause:

• a stimulating rather than a relaxing effect
• heaviness
• pain in the head
• stupor