Common Name:

General Information

Valeriana phu is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a thick, woody rhizome; it can grow up to 150cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

Some caution is advised with the use of this plant. At least one member of the genus is considered to be poisonous raw[] and V. officinalis is a powerful nervine and sedative that can become habit-forming.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

W. Asia - northern Turkey

Habitat

Rocky slopes[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[]. Prefers a good soil, succeeding in sun or partial shade[]. Plants grown in a dry garden in Essex succeed in dry shade on a north facing wall[].
This plant has been cultivated for its medicinal uses in Europe and is only known to be truly wild in northern Turkey[].
Closely related to V. officinalis[].

Edible Uses

Seed[]. No further details are given but the seeds of other members of this genus are parched and then eaten.
An essential oil from the leaves and root is used as a flavouring in ice cream, baked goods, condiments etc[]. It is especially important in apple flavours[]. The leaves can also be used as a condiment[].
The plant is used in moderation as a herbal tea[].

Medicinal

The whole plant, but especially the root, is antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, hypnotic, powerfully nervine, sedative, and stimulant[, , , , , , , , ]. Use with caution[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the roots and the leaves, it is used in perfumery[, ].
The dried root attracts rats and can be used as a bait to lure them away from other areas[].
An ingredient of 'QR' herbal compost activator[]. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost[]. The plant can also be used to make a very good liquid plant feed[, ]. It attracts earthworms[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed because it requires light for germination[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions in the summer if sufficient growth has been made. If the plants are too small to plant out, grow them on in the greenhouse or frame for their first winter and plant them out early in the following summer.
Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.