Medicinal Herbs ... of the 19th Century: Valerian Root

Valerian Root

Medicinal Uses: sleep disorder, anxiety, headaches, depression, IBS.

Valerian Root is one of the herbs I was least familiar with in the 1860 Kitchen Garden of Champoeg State Park. However, when I looked at its common names, I was quite surprised.

Common names for Valeriana officinalis are Valerian, all-heal and garden heliotrope.

One of my very favorite garden flowers I have long used in window boxes is heliotrope for color, texture and its sweet fragrance.  I had no idea of its other uses. In fact, as early as the sixteenth century, flower extracts of garden heliotrope were used as perfume.

Medicinally, oil extracts from the dried root of the Valerian has been used for centuries, dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome. In fact, Hippocrates, often wrote of its healing properties. It was commonly administered for sleep disorders and anxiety.

Today, Valerian is still used to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, and other conditions as well. It is used for headaches, depression, irregular heartbeat, trembling and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It acts almost like a muscle relaxant or sedative and is considered safe to use for short periods of time, four to six weeks, especially as a sleep aide.

Most commonly, you can find Valerian in supplement form, liquid extracts, and tea.

For more information on Valerian, visit the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. 

Read more from Good Living's Medicinal Herb Series.

Medicinal Herb Gardens ... of the 19th Century: Sage

Sage

Medicinal Uses: inflammation of mouth and throat, indigestion, menopausal symptoms, boost memory, and improve mood.


Yesterday, I promised to begin a series of the medicinal uses for herbs found in a historically accurate 1860's herb garden and see what research shows today that might either verify it as an essential herb for today's herb garden, or shows that it should be eliminated.

Sage is one of the most common herbs found in culinary herb gardens. I love its swede like texture, the greenish gray leaves. And while I must admit, turkey always comes to mind when I think about this herb, it actually has a varied and diverse history. In fact, sage wasn't even used for food flavoring until the 17th century.

This herb is a member of the mint family and is best used as a fresh herb when its aromatic flavors are heightened. Its flavor has been described as a combination of rosemary, pine and mint. When dried, its flavor is more camphoric.

Historically, sage was used as fertility treatments in Egypt and in ancient Greece, a solution was made using sage and water to clean sores and ulcers and to stop bleeding. It was also thought to extend life.

Today, sage is often used for mouth and throat inflammation, indigestion and sweating. It is also thought to alleviate menopausal symptoms in some women. There also is a small study that validates the use of sage to improve mood and boost memory, especially in healthy young people. It also has shown positive results in another clinical study where it showed enhanced thinking and learning abilities in older adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer's.

This plant is used in the following forms: dried leaves, liquid extracts, and essential oils.

Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not take this for medicinal purposes.

For more information on sage and others herbs, the government website at the National Institutes for Health is a great resource.

Click here for more information on sage.

Preservation: Sage can be stored fresh in the refrigerator in ziplock bags for two weeks, frozen for two months, or dried whole and crushed just before using.

Medicinal Herb Series

Medicinal Herb Gardens ... of the 19th Century

Medicinal Lavender

During a recent trip this spring to Molbak's in Woodinville, Washington, I delighted over their array of robust herbs, particularly drawn to camomile and other "tea" herbs.

I've always been fascinated with herbs. I can't say why, exactly. Somehow they seem a bit mysterious; intriguing for their healing properties that historically only a select few were privy to. They seem, to me, historical ... and they are; often their scents are alluring, the texture diverse, and their flowers, delicate and beautiful.

Oh, and they make the most fantastical knot gardens.

While traveling on Spring Break, we visited historic Champoeg State Park in Oregon. While we've been there countless times over the years, I've yet to accomplish a visit while their living historians are working in the historically accurate 1860's Kitchen Garden, which will happen Saturday's throughout July and August.

I picked up a hand-drawn map of the still dormant garden and was thrilled at the variety of foods, flowers and yes ... herbs available and readily used by 19th century gardeners.

Here is a list of the medicinal herbs grown in this 1860's Kitchen Garden.

• Sage

• Valerian Root

• Golden Oregano

• Peppermint

• Marjoram

• Spearmint

• Yarrow

There is so much in the news regarding the renewed interest in medicinal herbs. Tomorrow, I'll begin to blog about current news and research regarding these centuries-old herbs.