How to Grow Valerian in Your Botanical Garden

Jun 14, 2012 1:42:00 PM | herbalism How to Grow Valerian in Your Botanical Garden

It's June and our valerian is in full bloom! Here's how you can grow valerian in your own botanical herb garden!

how to grow valerianIt's June and our valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is in full bloom! Here's a picture of our valerian taken in the American College Botanical Teaching Garden in Portland, Oregon.

The ACHS Botanical Teaching Garden is part of the ACHS campus and is open to visitors year-round. Stop by! Bring your friends and family for a self-guided tour of some of our favorite medicinal plants ... like valerian! >>Click here for directions

Did you know valerian is a perennial? It has paired leaves and white, or light pink, slightly fragrant flowers.

Valerian, commonly used for its sedative effects, has also traditionally been used with high blood pressure (associated with stress), influenza, insomnia (associated with nervous conditions), mental strain, migraines, nervous irritation, pain, spasms, stress, and traumatic injuries with associated pain.

Valerian has a powerful antispasmodic and tranquilizing effect on the nervous system, yet is not habit-forming and can be used in the stated dosage over time. It was once widely used, but with the advent of synthetic tranquilizers such as Valium and Librium, its use has declined.

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Unlike synthetic tranquilizers, it does not have side effects if used in the stated dose. However, an excessive dose of valerian may produce stupor, drowsiness, severe headaches, and vomiting. Smaller doses at more frequent intervals are recommended rather than increasing the size of each dose.

Recipe: Nerve Tonic (for stress and emotional wear and tear)
1 oz valerian Valeriana officinalis
1 oz skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora
½ oz catnip Nepeta cataria
½ T coriander seeds Coriandrum sativum
¼ t cayenne pepper Capsicum annuum

Mix ingredients and prepare as standard infusion. Use 4-6 T warm, 3-4 times a day and before bed.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.


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Watch this ACHStv YouTube video (below) for an overview of valerian in the ACHS Herb Garden. Great shots of flowering valerian, harvested for its root in the fall.


Dorene Petersen, ACHS Founding President

Written By: Dorene Petersen, ACHS Founding President

Dorene is the Founding President of the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS). She has over 50 years of clinical teaching and lecturing experience in aromatherapy and other holistic health subjects. She has presented papers on essential oils and clinical aromatherapy at the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades Annual Conference (IFEAT) in California, USA; the Aroma Environment Association of Japan (AEAJ) in Tokyo, Japan; the Asian Aroma Ingredients Congress (AAIC) and Expo in Bali, Indonesia; the International Center of Advanced Aromatherapy (ICAA) at the WonGwang Digital University in Seoul, Korea; as well as the AAIC Expo in Kunming, Yunnan, China. Dorene is a founding member of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) and served as its chair until 2023. Dorene is also involved in the distance education community and has served as a volunteer, committee member, and standards evaluator for the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Dorene is a travel junkie, and has led ACHS Study Abroad programs to India, Indonesia, Greece, and Hawaii!