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Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Leighterton

Growing in the churchyard wall Valerian is one of the oldest known nervine herbs, it is used as a sedative and anti-spasmodic in the treatment of nervous and anxiety problems. The root is dried and in the process emits a powerful tom-cat smell. Valerian was known as ‘heal all and set well’ to our ancestors. It was used to strengthen the eyesight, as a cough medicine, to heal infected wounds and to resist the plague. The ancient Greek writers called it ‘phu’ in allusion to its smell, and in the 16th century it was put in among bed linen, possibly to induce restful sleep rather than to give a pleasant smell.