| Re: What's special about this flower
Common valerian root can be used as an aid to sleep or as an anxiolytic, although prolonged or regular use is not recommended (it will have the opposite effect). It's usually sold as a tincture or capsules (powdered root). Like all herbal or 'natural' remedies, it should be used carefully: people have experienced withdrawal symptoms after coming off high or long-term doses.
My cat goes totally bananas at the smell of the dried root, it seems to have a similar effect on him as catnip!
It's also an important plant in some pagan traditions, e.g. druids, Wicca. Maybe some of your photo hits are from people keen to identify the plant for gathering purposes, either for herbal medicine or for lore. |