Valerian (herb)

Known compounds detected in valerian include:[1]

• Alkaloids: actinidine,^[10] chatinine,^{[10][note 1]} shyanthine,^[10] valerianine,^[10] and valerine^[10]
• Isovaleramide may be created in the extraction process.^{[note 2]}
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)^[2]
• Valeric acid^[12]
• Isovaleric acid^{[note 3]}
• Iridoids, including valepotriates: isovaltrate and valtrate^[10]
• Sesquiterpenes (contained in the volatile oil): valerenic acid,^[14] hydroxyvalerenic acid and acetoxyvalerenic acid^[15]
• Flavanones: hesperidin,^[16] 6-methylapigenin,^[16] and linarin^[17]

Preparation

The chief constituent of valerian is a yellowish-green to brownish-yellow oil present in the dried root, varying in content from 0.5 to 2.0%. This variation in quantity may be determined by location; a dry, stony soil yields a root richer in oil than moist, fertile soil.^[18]

Traditional medicine

Although valerian is a common

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the health claim that valerian can be used as a traditional herb to relieve mild nervous tension and to aid sleep; the EMA stated that although there is insufficient evidence from clinical studies, its effectiveness as a dried extract is considered plausible.^[22]

The

Oral forms are available in both standardized and unstandardized forms. Standardized products may be preferable considering the wide variation of the chemicals in the dried root, as noted above. When standardized, it is done so as a percentage of valerenic acid or valeric acid. For commonly used doses, valerian is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) in the United States.^[1]

Adverse effects

Because the compounds in valerian produce central nervous system depression, they should not be used with other depressants, such as ethanol (drinking alcohol), benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opiates, kava, or antihistamine drugs.^{[1][24][25][26]}

As an unregulated product, the concentration, contents, and potential contaminants in valerian preparations cannot be easily determined.^[1][2] Because of this uncertainty and the potential for toxicity in the fetus and hepatotoxicity in the mother, valerian use is discouraged during pregnancy.^[1][24][25] Headache and diarrhea have occurred among subjects using valerian in clinical studies.^[1]

Effect on cats

Valerian root is a

Valerian is considered an invasive species in many jurisdictions outside its natural range, including the US state of Connecticut where it is officially banned,^[30] and in New Brunswick, Canada, where it is listed as a plant of concern.^[31]

Image gallery

• 
  V. officinalis leaves
• 
  V. officinalis flowers
• 
  19th-century illustration of Valeriana officinalis
• 
  Illustration of V. officinalis from Atlas des plantes de France, 1891
• 
  V. officinalis
• 
  V. officinalis foliage

See also

• Orvietan
• Spikenard
• Corvalol

Notes