Back to Tour: Medicinal Plants Tour
|
Valeriana officinalis Common Valerian; Garden Heliotrope; Valeriana |
Denver Botanic Gardens
Gardens Navigator 
|
|
Accession Number: 002874*1 Map | |
| More about Valeriana officinalis | |
E-mail| TOUR DETAILS |
Medicinal uses: Valerian has strong relaxant properties, which are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Extensive research in both Germany and Switzerland have confirmed that valerian helps promote sleep, as well as improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Valerian is also an analgesic (something that calms aches and pains). It helps to relax contracted muscles and can be applied to help with shoulder or neck tension, asthma, IBS, as well as menstrual pain. People often take valerian in the form of pills, powder, or as a tincture. Mythology/Folklore: In 1592, one of the earliest botanical writers known as Fabulus Calumna, published a detailed article claiming that valerian had cured his epilepsy. Since that time, valerian has been used to lessen the severity of epileptic seizures. The ancient Greeks nicknamed the herb “phu,” referring to their reaction in smelling the herb (which apparently smells like foot sweat). Famous mystery writer Agatha Christie used valerian as evidence in her book Murder in Retrospect. In 1950, valerian was dropped from the National Formulary of the U.S. as it was replaced with more prescription drugs such as valium. Thankfully, it has been gaining popularity as a more natural sedative. Medicinal recipe: Valerian-Hops Tincture: Chop 1 ounce of dried valerian root and 1 ounce of hops flowers. Grind these herbs in a coffee grinder and put into a 1 or 2-quart jar. Then add 12 ounces of vodka (used to help pull out the oils). Make sure the herbs are moist in the vodka. If they are not moist, add 2 more ounces of vodka. Screw the lid on and shake daily for 14 days. Strain the liquid tincture using a muslin cloth and then store in a dark bottle. Use generally 5 to 10 ml, 30 to 60 minutes before bed. Culture: (from staff horticulturalist Loddie Dolinski) The first thing to know about this plant is that it smells awful. Descriptions of the scent have ranged from “cat pee” to “smelly feet.” This plant needs basic maintenance and should be grown in sunny areas. Make sure to deadhead the Valerian, or else it will go everywhere. |
| LOCATION GROUP | Romantic Garden - Fragrance Garden |
| FAMILY NAME | Honeysuckle Family |
| FAMILY | Caprifoliaceae |
| ACCESSION DATE |
November 01, 2000 (When this plant was acquired and registered in the database) |
| FLOWER COLOR | white;pink |
| USDA HZ | 4 (Coldest Zone Where Hardy) |
| HABIT | Herbaceous (Non-woody) |
| IN MEMORY/HONOR OF | N/A |
Location Map for 002874*1 Valeriana officinalis
Map Help
Flowering
When Valeriana officinalis has been observed flowering at Denver Botanic Gardens
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 |  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
© Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
Photography © Denver Botanic Gardens
Powered by
