Good day to you! The plant we have in the spotlight today is: Valerian.
The Latin name of this plant is Valeriana officinalis.
While the flowers of the valerian plant have a wonderfully pleasant scent, the root of the valerian plant is where its medicinal properties are concentrated. Valerian root is a nervine that’s known for its sedative effects, which makes it a great remedy for insomnia, anxiety, and pain. If you have mild soreness in your body from the day and have difficulty getting to sleep because of it, valerian root can help relieve that pain and allow sleep to occur more easily. It’s not going to knock you out completely, but it can relieve mild tension and soreness which will help you get to sleep.
Although valerian works as a remedy for anxiety and insomnia for some, there are some people who actually have adverse effects to the root, and for this small group of people valerian can actually exacerbate their anxiety and jitters. Something worth noting! It works for many but not for everyone.
If you’re harvesting your own valerian root from your own garden, the aroma coming off of the root is an indicator of its medicinal strength - the smellier it is the better!
Have a magical day,
Jenny
PLANT INGESTION WARNING!
As with all herbs and plants you plan to ingest, never ingest them before doing your own research and/or talking with your doctor - it’s possible that medications you take or health conditions you have could have a negative effect if paired with valerian. Better safe than sorry!
Photo credit goes to Ivar Leidus