Natural Sleep Aid - Baikal Skullcap, Valerian

Hello,

I'm interested in growing an herbal plant which can either be consumed orally directly or through making tea or used in some other simple process.

My current leads are Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and Huang-Qin/Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis).

The first reminds me of Spaceballs. Valerian is known to me as a perennial plant which flowers during the summer, under natural conditions. Its leaves can be used for tea, and such practice is known as an ancient remedy for anxiety and sleeplessness. It originates from Europe and parts of Asia.

Huang-Qin, or Baikal Skullcap(a more interesting name, lol), is another type of flowering herb which is native to East Asia. It is also involved in ancient medicine; one of the original Fifty Fundamental Herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its natural chemical compounds are anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic and capable of sleep-aid. One of the ways Melatonin is purportedly extracted is from Baikal Skullcap, particularly in a dried root.


I am wondering which is best for a situation where I am growing plants indoors(live in apartment with Solarium), and if anyone can share knowledge from experience? I might just plant both, but I have to be aware of if they need particular methods, fertilizer or Ph levels (which I am a HUGE noob at figuring out at the moment).


There are times when I have anxiety or just can't sleep. I think a natural remedy would greatly help me improve my mental health. Thank you for reading!

I like to use chamomile. It's a good winter plant for the South, but it tends to burn up by about June or so. It's great as a potted plant, in fact, I find it difficult to start if it is direct-sewn, and I prefer to start it in pots and then transplant it to the garden.

If you can't find seeds at the local garden store, just go to a Hispanic market and look for packages of "Flor de Manzanilla" (usually in the dried spices section). You can crush the flower heads on top of some fine soil in a pot and get it started that way.

For a good read on Scutellaria spp., this Canadian alternative crops article has a lot of info:
Skullcaps cultivation

I just started some valerian from seed. I put them in the soil right when I got them because I have heard they are horrible at storing.

I know have 19 valerian plants growing. They have different shaped leafs. Some have more lobes, some are more pointed. I tried to keep a good mix when I was thinning them out.

I got them under a 400w hps light, not being used for better things right now. Not sure if I started them too early, and they will do alright in the Arkansas summer, but we will see.

I definitely want to grow the skull cap too.

Got some wormwood, comfrey, yarrow from seed right now too

Another candidate for a sleep aid - hops. Probably not very practical for indoor growing though.

Valerian is good, but strong. Best be aware of your dosage. Cannabis can be good if it is legal in your area, indica is the strain you need for sleep.