Growing Valerian

In the garden here at Elixir Farm, valerian grows in the partial shade of some old walnut trees. The planting came to us from some friends in New Hampshire many years ago. I always thought the Ozarks might be a bit hot for this cool-loving plant, but it has endured and flourished.

This highly variable perennial originated in eastern Europe. There are recorded uses of valerian coming from the early Greeks in the first century. Their word for it was phu, - very similar to the word "phew!". No wonder, the completely distinctive odor of the roots is a smell you are not likely to forget, and neither is the lovely smell of the flowers which bloom in late May. I always think of the fragrance of the valerian beds as the harbinger of summer.

The cultivation of valerian is very easy. Seeds can be planted in early spring or fall in a cool place. Press the small seeds into a flat of soil and bottom water them until they sprout. This takes between 7 and 14 days. The plant does self-seed and the seed is most viable soon after harvesting. By starting seedlings in the fall and potting them on for spring transplanting, they will have a vigorous root that will help them through the first year. I often propagate by root cuttings or division. I dig the plants in winter and separate the crowns. The root mass has usually sloughed off and the dormancy allows easy replanting in the shallow soil at one foot intervals. For a commercial planting the rows are spaced two to three feet apart. Valerian loves a rich loose garden soil and responds well to plenty of moisture. It prefers a soil ph between 6 and 7.

Roots are harvested in early fall when the stolons are thick and the leaves die back. If harvested in early spring it is best to do it before there has been much leaf growth. Harvest is usually after two seasons of growth. Valerian can produce as much as a ton of material per acre.

Valerian is well known for its sedative qualities and its ability to relax the central nervous system and the smooth muscle groups. It has been used as a sleeping aid for hundreds of years especially when there is excitation or difficulty in falling to sleep due to nervousness. The essential oils are not habit forming. Over 120 chemical components are found in valerian and although a very complex drug, it has not been found to have any negative side effects with moderate use. Modern pharmaceuticals have been derived from this plants' components that reduce stress and anxiety states, but using your own plants' dried roots in tinctures or ground up should be much more harmonizing for your health.