VALERIANA EDULIS, TOBACCO ROOT, VALERIAN

Hedrick, U.P. editor. 1919. Sturtevant's Notes on Edible Plants. Report of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station for the Year 1919 II. Albany, J.B Lyon Company, State Printers. [References Available]

is a plant of Ohio to Wisconsin and westward. This is the principal edible root among the Indians who inhabit the upper waters of the streams on the western side of the Rocky Mountains. It has a very strong and remarkably peculiar taste and an odor most offenisve. The root is large, of a very bright yellow color, is full of nutriemnt and, to some, the taste is agreeable. The Indians of the Northwest collect the roots in the spring and, after baking use them as food. From a bitter and somewhat pernicious substance, it is converted by baking into a soft, pulpy mass of sweet taste which is not unwholesome.

Adapted from: Dahl, J.O. 1945. Food and Menu Dictionary. The DAHLS, Haviland Road, Stamford, Conn.

is French for white sauce. White stock for thin or medium white sauce.

Meyer, Scott. 1990January. Garden apothecary. Organic Gardening pp. 50-53.

Excerpts regarding herbal remedies

VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis) Valium, the commonly prescribed sedative, is a synthesized version of the valepotriates that are the active ingredients in valerian root. however, valerian is safer and has less side effects than its chemical cousin.

"Valerian is a safe sedative for occasional home use,," Tyler says. "But, the valepotriates are unstable and are deactivated by heat." To use valerian, made an infusion of 1 teaspoon powdered root in 1 pint of room-temeprature water. Although effective, valerian haas a particularly bitter taste.

Valerian, also known as garden heliotrope, is a perennial that grows to 5 feet tall. It prefers a shady, moist location and does not like heat. Propagate by crown or runner division.

Hewitt, Ben. 2001July/August. Tea for Two. Organic Gardening 48(5):32.

(Valeriana officinalis) A perennial that grows to 4 to 6 feet, produces small, tubular, pinkish flowers in June, and has a dstinctive, rather unpleasant smell. Harvest roots in fall or spring before shoots develop, and dry at a high temperature (about 120F). Valerian prefers rich, moist soil and full sun to partial shade in Zones 3 to 9. It is renowned as a natural sedative.

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Compiled for Food Resource http://food.oregonstate.edu