Description

VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis), also known as All-heal (not to be confused with Prunella vulgaris), St. George's herb, Amantilla, or, as Chaucer referred to it, Setwell, is an ancient perennial herb with sweetly scented white (sometimes pink) flowers. Named after the Roman emporer Valerius, its Latin name means "strong or healthy." Used as a perfume in the 16th century, the ancient Germans dubbed its root "wunderot" because they believed it could fix anything! Cats love this herb and its excites them in an amorous way! Grows 3'-5' high with hollow stems and clusters of tiny fragrant white flowers that smell like heliotrope. Perennial, hardy to temps of -20 degrees, zones 4-9. 10 seeds. Limit 1 per customer.

MEDICINAL USES: Although the flowers are delightfully fragrant, the dried root is what is used for medical purposes and it smells sort of like wet dog or old cheese. Valerian is most widely known today as an important medicinal herb with recognized sedative properties, it is also used as an anti-convulsant, migraine headache treatment, pain reliever. As with all herbal medicines, caution is urged and if you are under a physician's care, please consult with them before ingesting in any form.

GROWING TIPS: Light-dependant germinators, so barely cover and maintain moisture level while germinating. Germination in 7-21 days at room temperature, or directly sow in Spring as soon as ground can be worked. Does well in full sun or partial shade, in a rich, moist soil. Keep well-weeded. After 3 years, dig up and divide.