Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Personality:
The dried root and rhizome of Valerian has a pungent smell, which is heady and soporific. As a fresh plant this distinctive odour is not present. Valerian has attractive flowers, and is a hardy perennial, growing well in damp locations in Britain.
Sources:
You can grow Valerian from seed, but it will take two to three years before you get a harvest of roots and rhizomes. It can be bought as capsules or tablets but I find that it works particularly well in tincture form. Valerian is often found in combination remedies, for insomnia.
Anecdotes:
A few years ago I attended a difficult interview and gave a presentation, when applying for a job. There was a lot of competition for the job and I could feel the pressure, but I had taken a sizeable dose of Valerian tincture an hour before the interview. One of the interviewers later told me "you were the most relaxed candidate I had ever seen". I got the job.
Uses:
Valerian is used for combating stress and insomnia. It also works well when there is physical tension. For relaxing the mind I often combine it with Wild Lettuce, for the body, Cramp Bark.
Actions:
Sedative (but does not ‘knock you out’), relaxant, warming, lowers blood pressure.
Dosage & Preparations:
Experiment on the dose that works for you, starting with a small amount. The average adult dose of the tincture is 2mls three times per day.
Safety:
Valerian is usually very safe but I have had one patient who got an upset stomach and one who had the paradoxical reaction of finding it very stimulating. Neither of theses adverse reactions were serious or prolonged.