Valerian
Common names Garden heliotrope, All-Heal, Amantilla, Setwell, Setesale
Latin name Valeriana officinalis 'Arterner Zuchtung'
Life cycle Perennial
Height 4-6 ft
Space 12-18" apart apart
Bloom Mid summer
Light Sun to part shade
Soil Moist, humusy
Zone Zone 3-9
Feature --
Use:
Valerian has been used for centuries as a tranquilizer. The active ingredients in valerian, the valepotriates, cause fewer side effects than the tranquilizer Valium. Valerian can be taken with alcohol without causing depression. Valerian relieves pain and promotes sleep. A calming tea can be made by steeping a teaspoon of fresh root in a pint of water. Drink one cup a day. Valerian is an old fashioned garden plant. It is pretty tall and suited for the back of the border or as an informal specimen plant The scent of a bruised leaf or root attracts cats who will roll around in the plant.


Warning:
Large doses of valerian may cause dizziness, vomiting, and stupor. Long term use may lead to depression.


Culture:
Valerian likes rich soil and plenty of water. It requires little plant care, except digging up and thinning the plantings about every three years. You can harvest the roots in the fall or spring before the shoots emerge. Washing them and dry at 120F until they are brittle. The variety 'Arterner Zunchtung' has a higher essential oil content (0.5 - 1.0%) than the common valerian. It also has better resistance to mildew.



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