Tobacco Root

Valeriana obovata

Physical Characteristics

Valeriana obovata is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Western N. America.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Seed Edible Uses: Root - cooked[2, 22, 46, 161]. It requires a long steaming[95]. The Indians would slow-bake it for about 2 days[207]. A very strong and peculiar taste that is offensive to some people but agreeable to others[85, 207]. The root can be cooked and then dried and ground into a powder[62, 105]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity. Seed[172]. No more details are given but the seeds of other members of this genus are parched and then eaten.

Medicinal Uses

Antispasmodic Carminative Diuretic Hypnotic Nervine Sedative Stimulant The whole plant, but especially the root, is antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, hypnotic, powerfully nervine, sedative and stimulant[172]. The crushed root has been rubbed on parts affected by rheumatism, swollen bruises, painful bleeding cuts and wounds[257]. The root has been used as a tapeworm medicine[257]. Use with caution[21].

Known Hazards

The plant is considered to be poisonous raw[161, 207].