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Post by coppice on Jan 12, 2011 14:24:34 GMT -6
I'm probably gonna get spanked for this... The last herb of the week is a month old. So I'm appointing myself the labor of posting a new one.
Nothing in this thread should be construed as medical advice. Trust me you don't want me to be the only thing you use as a doctor.
What I am however is an old cripple. Not everything a doctor will use in his satchel can be tolerated by everyone.
MS causes (in me at least) spasms. One of the old herbal pharmacopea tools for spasms is valleriana officinalis. Its most obvious side effect is drowsyness. So it can limit effectiveness when bein' sharp is whats on todays 'honey-dew' list. As a night time releif for restless leg it can't be beat.
Valerian is an umble plant that likes full sun. The blossom is sweet enough to be grown inna flower garden. Harvest roots (the medicinal part) after seed set on year two.
Dry seed umbles in a paper bag. Top sow seed to germination pans or feild early in the spring. Do not bother to clean or winnow seed.
When its time to harvest roots rince them well.
I'll save up what to do with valerain roots for another post.
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Post by Rita on Jan 12, 2011 14:42:25 GMT -6
PLEASE Feel free . I have been busier than heck good intentions but weighed down by other stuff !! Thank you and Karma to Ya
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Jan 12, 2011 15:00:17 GMT -6
Yes Indeed Coppice, Give Us that knowledge... I keep Rita too busy We have a pretty good size stand of Valerian, we haven't harvested the roots as of yet...talked about it last fall...ran out of time... But Yes, Please share any herbal knowledge you feel like sharing...we all LOVE to learn
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Post by coppice on Jan 12, 2011 17:21:35 GMT -6
This is a plant that affect different people differently. I know people who cannot tolerate tinctures (of fresh root) that swear by dried ground root in gel caps.
I use fresh root tinctured in 100 proof vodka.
Yes Valerian smells like steroid enriched carrots, it has also been compared to old gym socks.
Start small with either tincture or dried roots, you'll find your best use dose. Add tincture to cold beverage...
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Post by coppice on Jan 14, 2011 10:07:59 GMT -6
Farm stand vendors do not often sell this herb. IMO it is a suprisingly tender plant when very young. IE leaves break off easily. If you have a market for other herbs in pots and set up where potted seedlings don't have to be moved a lot, don't rule this one out.
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Post by coppice on Jan 15, 2011 9:28:25 GMT -6
Dried root is quite, um, pungent. I suppose it could be taken steeped in a tea. A good head cold will probably help passage...
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Post by strongtower9 on Jan 19, 2011 14:09:39 GMT -6
I don't know if I still have mine or not. By the time 2 years went by I forgot about harvesting the roots !!
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Post by coppice on Jan 19, 2011 17:57:38 GMT -6
I don't know if I still have mine or not. By the time 2 years went by I forgot about harvesting the roots !! If its still in your garden it'll make tall spike with umble shaped white flowers. Can't miss it. Save some seed and dig roots after their ripe.
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Post by strongtower9 on Jan 20, 2011 2:00:59 GMT -6
I will check this spring, it was good sized but I don't remember seeing last year. But I so busy sometimes...didn't really look. I had hoped the seeds would self seed but I know for sure that didn't happen.
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Jan 20, 2011 5:51:50 GMT -6
Coppice, that's how I acquired Our Valerian, St. Pauls Farmers Market, the Hmongs are quite prevalent there, They have there tables and even the asphalt covered in recycled 8 in. flower pots, all filled with Culinary and medicinal herbs...I bought several herbs from them...Now, it's been so long, I can't remember a couple of them as to what they are... old age strikes again
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Post by coppice on Jan 27, 2011 6:05:46 GMT -6
The frass of valerian seed helps it to disburse by floating away. So it does volunteer quite well. It just doesn't stay where ya plant it. Flower is quite scented. IMO the flower smell which is sweet will remind you where it is in your garden. On close observation its not quite as efficient as say dandylion, in its fly away seeds, but close. Flower = sweet, root = stinky
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Post by strongtower9 on Jan 28, 2011 3:50:08 GMT -6
Hmmm, maybe I should look around..further out !!
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Jan 28, 2011 6:59:47 GMT -6
Flower = sweet, root = stinky You got that right Coppice, Flower, very nice smelling..root, not pleasant at all. I like the earthy smell and the tingling sensation in your mouth of echinacea. ..think I'll nibble some today!! I was bundling up some Ashwagandha root last night for a member here... LOVE the smell of it dried...the taste isn't the best though hmm, maybe I should do a Herb of the Week on Ashwagandha?? though I don't figure you'll find it in many pholks gardens... I know that no one around here has it... it grows like CRAZY here...got some pics somewhere, I'll see if I can find them
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Post by coppice on Jan 28, 2011 13:06:58 GMT -6
Why not Phil? I probably shoulldn't tell you your buisness, but if you want new faces to get seduced into joining, then your going to get some 'how do you-grow this or thats'.
Think of your Ashwaganda HOW as just one bread crumb leading 'em back here.
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