Valerian has been widely used for its powerful tranquilizer and antispasmodic effects since the era of the Roman Empire and ancient Greece.

Botanical: Valeriana officinalis (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Valerianaceae
Synonym: Phu (Galen). All-Heal. Great Wild Valerian. Amantilla. Setwall. Setewale Capon's Tail. Valerianae radix, Baldrianwurzel

Habitat:

Valeriana officinalis, a member of the Valerianaceae family, is a perennial plant native to Europe and Northern Asia and naturalized in North America.

Description:

The genus Valerian includes over 250 species, but V. officinalis is the species most often used especially in medicines.

The roots tend to merge into a short, conical root-stock or erect rhizome.

Only one stem arises from the root, which grows to 3 or 4 feet. It is round, but grooved and hollow, more or less hairy, especially near the base.
It terminates in two or more pairs of flowering stems, each pair being placed at right angles to those above and below it.

The leaves on the stem are attached by short, broad sheaths, the radical leaves are larger and long-stemmed and the margins more toothed.

The flowers are in bloom from June to September. They are small, tinged with pink and flesh color, with a somewhat peculiar, but not exactly unpleasant smell. The fruit is a capsule containing one oblong compressed seed.

Apart from the flowers, the whole plant has a fetid smell, much accentuated when bruised.

Part Used Medicinally:

Roots, rhizomes(underground stems), and stolons (horizontal stems).

Constituents:

The biochemical active components of valerian extract are:

- Alkaloids: actinidine, catinine, isovaleramide, valerianine, and valerine.

- Free amino acids such as Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), (neurotransmitter connected to the sedative plant effects), tyrosine, arginine, and glutamine.

- Valeric acid.

- Iridoids (valepotriates), esters non-glicosidic, firstly acevaltrate, isovaltrate and valtrate.

- Volatile oil containing active sesquiterpenes (acetoxivalerenic acid, valerenic acid).

- Flavanones such as hesperidin, 6-methylapigenin and furanofuran linarin.

The main component of Valerian is a yellowish-green to brownish-yellow oil, which is present in the dried root varying from 0.5 to 2 percent though an average yield rarely exceeds 0.8 percent.

The oil is contained in the sub-epidermal layer of cells in the root, not in isolated cells or glands. It is of complex composition, containing valerianic, formic and acetic acids, the alcohol known as borneol, and pinene.

The valerianic acid present in the oil is not the normal acid, but isovalerianic acid, an oily liquid which is the source of the characteristically unpleasant odor of Valerian.

Medicinal Uses:

Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Its therapeutic uses were described by Hippocrates, and in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia.

In the 16th century, it was used to treat nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations. In the mid-19th century, valerian was considered a stimulant that causes some of the same complaints it was believed to treat and was generally held in low esteem as a medicinal herb. During World War II, it was used in Britain to relieve the patients panicked by air raids.

It has a remarkable influence on the cerebrospinal system, and is used as a sedative in anxiety, St. Vitus's dance, hypochondriasis, neuralgic pains and etc.

The root of valerian is used most commonly for its sedative and hypnotic properties in patients with insomnia.

Traditional herbalists have used valerian as an anxiolytic, frequently in combination with other herbal preparations such as passion flower and St. John's wort.

The drug relives pain and promotes sleep. Though in ordinary doses, it exerts an influence quieting and soothing in its nature upon the brain and nervous system, large doses, too often repeated, have a tendency to produce pain in the head, heaviness and stupor.

Valerian is also believed to be effective in treating migraine headaches, vertigo and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Oil of Valerian is widely used as a popular remedy for cholera.

Valerian has also been used for other conditions, such as hysteria, depression, and trembling.

Valerian also influences the circulation, by slowing the heart and increasing its force; it has been used in the treatment of cardiac palpitations and irregular beats. It is also believed to be useful in lowering the blood pressure.

In addition, valerian has been used for gastrointestinal spasms and distress.

It has been recommended for epilepsy as it is an analogous to valproic acid, a drug used as an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizer.

Valerian is often indicated during the tapering of benzodiazepines such as clonazepam and diazepam.

Its condensate tisane can be topically used for treating burns, rheumatoid diseases, and other muscular pains. It is thought to be useful in alleviating cardiac and low back pain.

Valerian root generally does not lose its therapeutic properties over time and it is believed to be more effective when used continuously rather than as a hypnotic for acute cases. A potential advantage of valerian over benzodiazepines is the lack of sleepiness on awakening when used at the recommended dosages.

Preparation:

Dried roots are prepared as teas or tinctures, and dried plant materials and extracts are put into capsules or incorporated into tablets.

Valerian tea should not be prepared with boiling water, as this may drive off the lighter oils.

For preparing the tea, two spoonfuls of valerian should be added in a cup of water, brought to boil and then should be removed from heat. It should be steeped for 10 minutes, and then strained. Hot tea should be drunk two or three times a day. The effect of the tea can be increased considerably by adding a teaspoonful of valerian tincture per cup.

The juice of the fresh root, known as Energetene of Valerian, has long been recommended as a more effective hypnotic in insomnia, and anticonvulsant in epilepsy.

Valerian is sometimes combined with other botanicals.

Studies show the effective dosage of valerian root extract for treatment of insomnia ranges from 300 to 600 mg. An equivalent dose of dried herbal valerian root is 2 to 3 g, soaked in one cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. The product should be ingested 30 minutes to two hours before bedtime.

Valerian baths have a calming and soporific effect and are usually taken in the evenings. The main problem is to make sure that the patient does not fall asleep.

Caution:

Studies suggest that valerian is generally safe to use for short periods of time (for example, 4 to 6 weeks).

Few adverse effects have been reported; however, they are not completely proved. The most common complaints are headaches, dizziness, itching, and gastrointestinal disturbances.

Large doses or the chronic use of the herb may result in stomachache, apathy, and a feeling of mental dullness or mild depression. In some individuals, valerian can cause stomachache, anxiety, and night terrors.

Valepotriates, which are a component of valerian but are not necessarily present in commercial preparations, had cytotoxic activity in laboratory conditions but were not carcinogenic in animal studies.

It should be noted that the following individuals should not take valerian as the possible risks in this group of people has not yet been completely studied:

- Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take valerian without medical advice.

- Children younger than 3 years old.

It is noteworthy that individuals taking valerian should be aware of the theoretical possibility of additive sedative effects from alcohol or sedative drugs, such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines; however, no studies have reported valerian interaction with any drugs or laboratory tests.

Valerian may boost the sedative effects of barbiturates, anesthetics, and other central nervous system depressants. It also appears to attenuate benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms in animals and humans.

PKH/RE