Valerian Root - Valerina officinalis

Alternative names: Garden heliotrope, Vandal root

Parts used: Root

Actions and qualities: Sedative, antianxiety, and muscle relaxant. It is used to regulate healthy blood pressure and treat menstrual cramps.

Specific uses: It can be infused for at least twenty minutes into an effective tea, tinctures can be made, and it is commonly added to capsules. Topically, it can be used in salves, oils, poultices and bath teas.

Contraindications: Do not take continually or in large doses due to the potential of liver damage. There have been some side effects reported such as making people feel uneasy, drowsy, nauseous, and there have been reports of strange dreams.

History and lore: Valerian has a symbiotic relationship with big cats like lions and tigers: the cats react similarly to the roots as they do to catnip, and as they dig up the roots to sniff and eat them, it helps the root propagate.