🏞️Appalachian Folk Medicine
Valerian (American)
Valeriana officinalis
About Valerian (American)
Valerian (American) (Valeriana officinalis) is a herb used in the Appalachian Folk Medicine tradition to help with Insomnia, Anxiety, Stress, and Headache, among 1 other condition it addresses. The root is the part traditionally used, taken internally.
Botanical background
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Caprifoliaceae) is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. In the summer when the mature plant may have a height of 1.5 metres (5 ft), it bears sweetly scented pink or white flowers that attract many fly species, especially hoverflies of the genus Eristalis. It is consumed as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species, including the grey pug.
Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist
Parts used
Root · internal