Harvest and store valerian & its effects

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 ailments valerian can be used against.

valerian (Valeriana officinalis) many only know from the pharmacy as a means of falling asleep. 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 go about it

With valerian, not only the rhizomes, as the roots are called, can be used - leaves and flowers can also be harvested and used. Valerian roots can only be used from the second year, as the healing ingredients are not yet contained in a sufficiently high concentration. The time for harvesting the valerian roots has come between the end of September and mid-October. To do this, dig them out of the ground with a spade and wash them thoroughly clean with water. The valerian leaves are harvested between May and June before they bloom. The flowers appear from June to July and can then be picked from the valerian plants.

When and how do you harvest valerian?

• Harvesting the valerian roots: late September to mid-October
• Only harvest biennial plants
• Dig up roots, clean thoroughly and wash off the earth
• Leaves harvest: May to June
• Harvest of the flowers: June to July

Tip: It is worthwhile not to dig up all of the valerian roots in the crop. Because if you leave some of them in the ground, the chances are good that they will sprout again next year.

Dry valerian

Valerian can only be stored for a limited time when fresh, which is why the roots have to be dried. This can be done in two ways: in the air or in the oven. If you want to air dry your valerian, place the roots on a grid and dry 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 wire rack 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 - this is how you proceed:

• On a grate on a min. Lay out a 20 ° C warm and dry place to dry
• Alternatively, dry in the oven at 45 ° C, using a wooden spoon to keep the oven door ajar

As a result of drying, the rhizome in particular develops a characteristic odor. This comes about through the contained alkaloids and is responsible for the various anecdotes that entwine around the valerian. It is certain that valerian has an aphrodisiac effect on cats. However, it has not been proven whether the pied piper from Hamelin could really lure the rats out of their holes with the musty smell of the dried valerian plant parts.

Use valerian in cooking and as a remedy

The real valerian is often mixed with other types of valerian, such as the small valerian (Valeriana dioica), mistaken. However, this is not a problem, because this is used in the same way as real valerian. The young herb that sprouts in spring can, for example, be closely related to the Lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta) can be easily processed into salads. The flowers can be used fresh in leaf or fruit salads. They also look good as decorations. You can also use the valerian flowers to make tea.

Valerian roots are used not only 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 made into tea, ointments or tinctures, it is best to grate the dried roots. These are then rubbed into powder with a mortar, which is easy to store air-tight and easy to use. To prepare valerian tea, you can especially brew the seeds and roots that have not been ground. Soaked in alcohol, the valerian roots become a tincture that can be used externally.

How to use valerian:

• Leaves: in lettuce
• Flowers: in salads, as tea, for decoration
• Roots: as a spice, as a healing tea, as a healing tincture

Effect of valerian

Like many other herbs, valerian is also characterized by the essential oils and alkaloids it contains. Its characteristic effect in particular makes valerian one of the most frequently used plants for restlessness and sleep disorders. The herb has a calming, relaxing and sleep-inducing effect. However, it should only take the form of tea, tablets or capsules from a young age be taken because the effect on the child's organism cannot be precisely controlled and less is known. When growing in your own garden, it is certainly best to use it as a tea, ointment or tincture.

Summary - effects of valerian:

• Reassuring
• Relaxing
• Promotes sleep

Whether as a medicinal herb or a salad, it is definitely worth growing your own valerian herb, which is also decorative - you can find out how to do this in our Installation instructions for valerian read up.