There is a special type of valerian herb in the distant taiga region, which has unique healing properties and is very much appreciated by pharmacists and phytotherapists – “Stone Valerian” from Siberia. Patrinia sibirica has the second name of Siberian Valerian (Valeriana sibirica). It is a perennial herb that belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family and is used both in folk medicine and in scientific pharmacology.

What is so unique about this Siberian herb? In this article we will answer this question:

Biological and chemical features of “Stone Valerian”.

Siberian Valerian has a very developed root system. In this system, the root is thick enough and has many branches, on which a large number of dark-colored heads are formed. The rhizome of the Siberian herb gives numerous stems with flowers and shoots, as well as rosettes of leaves.

All stems of Patrinia sibirica are straight and have two longitudinal lines made up of many delicate hairs. The leaves are collected in rosettes with deep dissections in the form of feathers. In infertile rosettes, the leaves have a different shape. In some cases, there are leaves with serrated edges or dissected in the form of a feather, but such leaves are not pubescent.

Flowers appear on the stems of Siberian valerian, which are collected in inflorescences and are located at the end of the stem. The flowering of the valerian herb begins in May and lasts until the beginning of July. After the end of flowering, dry fruit is formed, in which there are three nests. Only one nest contains grain, the other nests are empty.

The herb grows on gravelly slopes and rocks, and it can also be found in dry pine or birch forests, in steppes, subalpine meadows, tundra, on rocky river coasts in Eastern Siberia.