Valerian root or garden heliotrope consists of the dried rhizome and roots of Valeriana officinalis of the family Valerianaceae. The name "Valerian" comes from the Latin verb valere, meaning "to be strong or to be healthy." For centuries traditional healers have cherished Valerian root for its sedative and anti-spasmodic properties.

Appearance

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers. This sweet smell is quite overpowering when the flower is placed into a vase. The flowers are in bloom from June to September.

History

Valerian was first recommended for insomnia by Galen in the second century AD. Valerian was hailed throughout the Middle Ages as and "all heal" herb. Held in great esteem by practitioners of the ages, valerian has been used to ease the discomfort of numerous complaints, mostly related to the nervous system.
In the sixteenth century, valerian became popular as a sedative in Europe, and its popularity subsequently spread to the United States. In the 1970’s, researchers began to study the scientific properties of valerian and its effects in humans, leading to its approval as a sleep remedy by Germany’s Commission E in 1985.