Readers ask: Can You Use Valerian Flowers?

Known for it’s sleep inducing and anxiety reducing qualities, Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is an easy to grow perennial that absolutely stinks to harvest and use! That’s actually a very funny fact because the valerian flowers smell quite nice, in fact they attract all sorts of pollinators to the garden.

Are valerian flowers edible?

Valerian is most recognized for helping to ease insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness. It became popular in Europe in the 17th century. In addition to being medicinal this is also edible. This plant was in the Valerianaceae family but is now in the Caprifoliacaeae family.

What do you do with valerian flowers?

Valerian makes a great garden plant. It seems to help nearby plants by stimulating phosphorus and earthworm activity. A decoction made from the roots and sprayed on the ground will attract earthworms. The mineral-filled leaves can be added to your compost, too.

Are valerian flowers poisonous?

Although valerian is thought to be fairly safe, side effects such as headache, dizziness, stomach problems or sleeplessness may occur. Valerian may not be safe if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.

Does valerian make a good cut flower?

Valerian produces extremely fragrant flowers in early summer. Gather them for use as cut flowers to keep valerian from reseeding and becoming invasive.

How do you eat valerian plant?

As you probably already know, growing valerian from seed is often done for its root. It can be chewed, dried and powdered, made into teas, and extracted for its oils. It’s leaves when crushed, were once used as a poultice to relieve headaches.

Can I make tea with valerian leaves?

You prepare this herbal tea as you would prepare most traditional teas. Place a valerian tea bag or a tea infuser containing about one tablespoon of loose tea leaves in a teacup. You can also simply place loose tea leaves at the bottom of a cup. Heat water to 90-95º Celsius or 194-205º Fahrenheit.

What grows well with valerian?

Valerian pairs well with low, mounded herbs like thyme and oregano. It also loves to share space with echinacea, catnip, and dill. Remember when you’re choosing companion plants that valerian can grow up to 5 feet tall. Plant it behind smaller plants so that it doesn’t cut off the sunlight.

Is valerian plant invasive?

Amenable to wet and dry conditions, it’s invasive in and around some coastal areas. The USDA Early Detection & Distribution map for common valerian shows clusters around the Great Lakes and throughout much of the Northeast.

Which part of valerian is used in herbalism?

Valerian, also known as Valeriana officinalis, is a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. The root of the plant has long been used as a herbal remedy to treat insomnia.

Is valerian root bad for your liver?

Hepatotoxicity. Valerian has been implicated in a small number of cases of clinically apparent liver injury, but usually in combination with other botanicals such as skullcap or black cohosh. In view of its wide scale use, valerian has to be considered a very rare cause of hepatic injury.

What does valerian flower look like?

Valeriana officinalis can grow up to 2m tall, producing deep pink buts that open into fairly loose clusters of pink five-petalled flowers, the petals joined at the base to form a trumpet-like corolla. Common Valerian flowers are 4 to 5mm long.

Is valerian root legal?

In the United States, valerian is sold as a dietary supplement, and dietary supplements are regulated as foods, not drugs. Therefore, premarket evaluation and approval by the Food and Drug Administration are not required unless claims are made for specific disease prevention or treatment.

Should I cut back Valerian after flowering?

Plant valerian in an informal setting in moisture-retentive soil. After flowering in summer, cut back faded flower stems to avoid self seeding, then cut back all growth after it has died back in autumn. Propagate by seed, division, or cuttings.

Is Valerian a wild flower?

Red Valerian Wildflower Seed, although not a true native, it is now widely naturalised across Southern England. It grows on dry banks, walls, cliff crevices and close to the sea. Red Valerian is a very attractive plant and has been grown in gardens for a number of years.

Is red valerian the same as valerian?

The scientific name for this plant is Centranthus ruber. It’s also called Jupiter’s Beard or spur valerian. While red valerian is a member of the family Valerianaceae, it’s not really a valerian. True valerian is known scientifically today as Valeriana officinalis.