Herb. No. 007 · Caprifoliaceae
Damp European meadows and ditches. Hardy in cool gardens.
Native · Europe
Native Also grown
OpenCautionplant
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Foul-sweet root used as a non-habit-forming night herb — strong, uneven, not for everyone.
Valerian root smells of old socks and warm earth. Compounds (valerenic acid, iridoids) act on GABA pathways. Trials for insomnia are mixed; some people sleep, a minority feel wired. It is a classic European sedative, not an opioid, and is not scheduled.
Flavor
Warm earth, old socks, and sweet musk. The smell is the medicine.
Parts used
Root
In favor
- Non-scheduled, non-opioid
- Useful when chamomile is too mild
- Tall pollinator plant
Against
- Paradoxical stimulation in some people
- Morning grogginess
- Odor is infamous
- Not for chronic nightly use without advice