"Latin Name: Valeriana officinalis L.
Family Name: Valerianaceae
Common Names: Valerian, English Valerian
Parts Used: Roots/Rhizome

Botanical Description:
A perennial herb with a thick, short rhizome, producing short runners up to 3 cm usually with one erect stem, hairy below, from 20 to 150 cm (8’’-5’) high. Leaves opposite, exstipulate, up to 20 cm (8’’) long empari-pinnate, with 9-21 or more lanceolate segment from 2.5-7.5 cm (1-3’’) long and varying in breadth, irregularly toothed. Lower leaves stalked, upper leaves nearly sessile; lower leaves less pinnate, often nearly entire.
Flowers, 4-5 mm (¼ ’’) in diameter, white to pinkish-white perfect, calyx superior, entire and unrolled during flowering, forming a feathery pappus when the fruit ripens. Corolla 5 mm (¼ ’’) in diameter, pale pink, forming a tube with a slight bulge on one side at the base, funnel shaped with 5 (3-4) unequal lobes Stamens 3. Ovary inferior, unilocular; fruit is a nut of 4 mm (¼ ’’).

Distribution:
Native to Europe and west Asia; naturalized in North America. In grassland, ditches, damp meadowland, close to streams on nutrient-rich soils to 2000 m (6500’).

Cultivation:
Moist soil in sun or shade. Propagate by seed sown in spring, or by division in spring or autumn. Remove flowers to encourage rhizome growth.

Harvest:
Rhizomes and roots are lifted in the second year after the leaves have died down. Used fresh or dried.

Constituents:
Volatile oil 0.5-1.0%, different volatile oils.
Alkaloids not exceeding 0.1%.
A glycoside - valeride - only in fresh root.
Tannins, resins, gums.
Epoxyiridoid esters >>>valepotriates. Valepotriates are the prime important constituents hence they carry the prime action of the herb.
Choline found in leaves, 2 year old leaves contain the highest amount of choline.

Properties:
Stimulating Antispasmodic, Tonic, Nervine

This root should never be boiled. A very useful remedy in cases of nervous debility, weakness or irritation, hysteria, etc. It is strongly nervine without any narcotic effect. It enters largely into many compounds for nerve troubles. The root has an unpleasant odour which is frequently covered by the use of the essence of Aniseed. It can be profitably used in combination with other remedies, and is also used in many cases in simple infusion. A simple nerve tonic is made by pouring one pint of boiling water on one ounce of the root. Cover till cold and give two tablespoonfuls three or four times daily.

In the case of children with measles, scarlet fever and other diseases which make them restless, give small doses of the infusion twice or, if necessary, three times daily. A sound sleep will generally result. This same method is also useful in
convulsions in infants. Use the Essence of Aniseed to cover the taste in these cases if needed. A good prescription in convulsions, hysteria, colic, cramps and dysmenorrhea is the following:
Fluid Extract of Valeriana off. Root/Rhizomes 1 ounce
Fluid Extract Dioscorea vill. (Wild Yam) Root 1 ounce
Fluid Extract Caulophylum (Blue Cohosh) Rhizome 1 ounce
Essence of Aniseed Seeds 1 ounce
Syrup of Ginger Rhizome 6 ounces
Mix. Dose, from a teaspoonful to a dessertspoonful three or four times daily.

Another good combination is the following:
Valeriana ( Valerian) Roots/Rhizomes ½ ounce
Scutellaria (Scullcap) Herbs ½ ounce
Viscum (Mistletoe) Young Leafy Twigs ½ ounce
Infuse in 1½ pints of boiling water. Cover and allow to stand for two hours. Strain and give from two to four tablespoonfuls four times a day in restlessness, insomnia, hysteria, neuralgia and similar troubles.

Contraindications:
Toxicity: There is no evidence of toxicity from actual tissue damage from consuming Valerian. However, the effect of taking very large doses is unpleasant and the symptoms include headaches, giddiness, spasm, hallucinations, and excitability. It is important to realize that Valerian potentiates other sleeping pills and will make them stronger. It should not be used with them unless guided by professional judgement.
Caution: Valerian should never by boiled."
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