We have a first-year valerian plant in our backyard, and it’s producing prolific leaves, but I’m not sure the roots are big enough to harvest yet. If I tincture the leaves, would that have the same medicinal effect as the root, or should I wait for the root?
You want to wait for the root. The root is the medicine. Best when harvested in the fall of the first year, or early spring of the 2nd year (before it flowers).