Valerian is said to have a calming effect. We reveal how to properly harvest and store the healing herb. You will also find out which symptoms valerian can be used against.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is known to many only as a means to fall asleep from the pharmacy. Very few people know that the healing herb can also be grown in your own garden. Those who cultivate valerian themselves will soon be able to harvest their first valerian roots and leaves. In this article we explain how this works and what valerian is used for.
Harvesting valerian: the right way to do it
In the case of valerian, not only the rhizomes, as the roots are called, can be used - the leaves and flowers can also be harvested and used. Valerian roots can only be used from the second year, since the healing ingredients are not yet contained in a sufficiently high concentration. Between late September and mid-October is the time to harvest the valerian roots. To do this, dig them out of the ground with a spade and wash them thoroughly clean with water. The valerian leaves are harvested before flowering between May and June. The flowers appear from June to July and can then be picked from the valerian plants.
When and how do you harvest valerian?
- Harvest of valerian roots: late September to mid-October
- Harvest biennial plants first
- Dig up the roots, clean thoroughly and wash away the soil
- Leaf Harvest: May to June
- Harvest of flowers: June to July
Tip: It pays not to dig up all the valerian roots in the harvest. Because if you leave some of them in the ground, there is a good chance that they will sprout again next year.
Dry Valerian
Valerian can only be stored fresh for a limited time, which is why the roots have to be dried. This can be done in two ways: in the open air or in the oven. If you want to air-dry your valerian, place the roots on a grid anddry them in a dry and warm place at at least 20 °C. If that takes too long, you can put the root pieces on a grid and dry them in the oven at 45 °C. It is important to clamp a wooden spoon between the oven door so that the moisture can escape from the oven.
Drying valerian - How to do it:
- Lay out on a wire rack in a dry place with a temperature of at least 20 °C to dry
- Alternatively, dry in the oven at 45 °C, with a wooden spoon holding the oven door ajar
During drying, the rhizome in particular develops a characteristic smell. This comes about through the alkaloids it contains and is responsible for the various anecdotes that have grown around valerian. So it is certain that valerian has an aphrodisiac effect on cats. However, it has not been proven whether the Pied Piper of Hamelin was really able to lure the rats out of their holes with the musty smell of the dried valerian plant parts.
Use valerian in the kitchen and as a remedy
True valerian is often confused with other types of valerian, such as lesser valerian (Valeriana dioica). However, that is not a problem, because it is used in the same way as real valerian. The young herb, which sprout in spring, can be easily processed into a salad with the closely related lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta). The flowers can be used fresh in leaf or fruit salads. They are also good as decoration. You can also prepare a tea from the valerian flowers.
Valerian roots are not only used as a medicinal herb, but also as a spice. Valerian is a popular ingredient in soups and curries, especially in Indian cuisine. If the herb is to be processed into tea, ointments or tinctures, it is best to grate the dried roots. These are then ground into a powder with a mortar, which can be easily stored and used in an airtight container. To prepare valerian tea, you can especially brew the seeds and roots that have not been crushed. The valerian roots are pickled in alcohol to make a tincture that can be used externally.
How to use valerian:
- Leaves: in the salad
- Blossoms: in salads, as tea, for decoration
- Roots: as a spice, as a medicinal tea, as a medicinal tincture
Effects of Valerian
Likemany other herbs also distinguish valerian from the essential oils and alkaloids it contains. Its characteristic effect in particular makes valerian one of the most commonly used plants for restlessness and sleep disorders. The herb has a calming, relaxing and sleep-inducing effect. However, it should only be taken from a young age in the form of tea, tablets or capsules, since the effect on the child's organism cannot be precisely controlled and is less well known. When growing in your own garden, it is certainly best to use it as a tea, ointment or tincture.
Summary - effects of valerian:
- Soothing
- Relaxing
- Sleep Inducing
Whether as a medicinal herb or salad, it is always worth growing your own valerian herb, which is also decorative - you can read about how to do this in our cultivation instructions for valerian.