Valerian

Leathwood et al. conducted a double-blind crossover smdy with 128 volunteers and concluded that, compared with placebo, valerian significantly improved subjective sleep quality in habitually poor or irregular sleepers. However, placebo effects were marked in some studies, and in some cases beneficial effects of valerian were not seen until after 2-A weeks of therapy. The adverse effects of valerian include gastrointestinal upset, allergies, restless sleep, headache and mydriasis. Valerian overdoses have the major effect of central nervous system depression.  

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Present in citronella and valerian oils, tur penline, ginger, rosemary and spike oils. It is produced artificially by the elimination of hydrogen chloride from bornyl chloride (artifi cial camphor) or from isobornyl chloride, by the dehydrogenation of borneol and isobor-neol and by the action of elhanoic anhydride on bornylamine. Chiral. 

Isovaleric acid, Me2CHCH2COOH, is a colourless liquid with the unpleasant odour of valerian, b.p. 177 "C. Occurs in the roots of valerian and angelica together with an optically active form of methylethylethanoic acid. Prepared by oxidation of isoamyl alcohol. A mixture of acids similar to that obtained from valerian roots is prepared by oxidation of fusel oil. 

Parts Balm 10 Parts Peppermint leaves 25 Parts Valerian root 20 Parts Orange flowers 15 Parts Aniseed 20 Parts Passiflora... 

Parts Balm 10 Parts Peppermint leaves 60 Parts Valerian root 10 Parts Orange flowers 10 Parts Bitter-orange peel... 

Valerian roGl, consisting of the iiiKierground parts of the collccltve species Valeriana officinalis Linne, Ircsii or carefiij) tlricd at or below 40 C. and its preparations in active doses. 

Valerian oil is. rnployed to a cousiderable extent oil the centinent as a popular remedy for eliolera, in the foriii of cboliiia drops, and also to a certaiD extent in soap perfumenv... 

Although its oduni- may be considered disagreeable by many, it is highly esteemed n ihe Bas. as a perfume. Its use is practically r --placed in Western eountviCb by l liat of oil ot valerian. 

The cdnstiiuents of this oil are identical with those of An r,phora Hekkefi, Che gccanvl valerianate, and the sesquiterpene being presenl in rather larger amoaiit. 

The Oil coutainS d-c-pinene, d-limonene, Intcea o[ palmitic acid, salicylic aHd, aud a pberiol, small quaotitles of esters of formic and valerianic acids, and a sesqnUerpene of specific gravitv 0 910, and retractive index 1-oOSO. 

Kessyl alcohol, has been isolated from Japanese valerian,... 

Ethyl Valerianate.—This ester, C HgCOOC Hj, is an oil with a pineapple odour. Its specific gravity is 0 894, and boiling-point about 133°. 

Ethyl Malonate.—Ethyl malonate is not a member of the parafiinoid acid esters, but is sufficiently nearly related to this series to be included here as a matter of convenience. It is of considerable value in modifying flower odours, having a more or less characteristic apple odour, but of a much sweeter type than the valerianic ester perfume. It is an oil of specific gravity 1 068, and boils at 198°. 

Amyl Valerianate,—This ester is an oil of strong apple odour, and is used for the preparation of cider essence. Its formula is CgHjj. CgH O.. ... 

Styrolyl Valerianate.—The valerianic ester of styrolol has the formula CjH5CH(OH)CHgOOC. CHg. CH(CH3)g. It has a most powerful odour resembling jasmin and narcissus, and is very useful for the preparation of these odours. It is very powerful in odour, and care is required in its use, or the effects will be spoiled by a too powerful odour. 

The isomeric valerianic acids have the formula C Hj O.. Normal valerianic acid does not appear to be found in any essential oils. Iso-valerianic acid, (CHg). jCH. CH. COOH, is found in valerian and other oils it is a liquid boiling at 174°, of specific gravity -947. Another isomer, also found in champaca and coffee oils, is methyl-ethyl-acetic acid, (C.,Hg)(CH3). CH. COOH. This is an optically active liquid, boiling at 175°, of specific gravity -941 at 21°. 

The natural esters present in essential oils are usually those of acetic, butyric, and valerianic acids, and in the case of geranium oil, tiglate acid. 

Baldrian, m. valerian. ather, m. valeric ester, specif, ethyl valerate, -ol, n. valerian oil. salz, n. valerate, -skure, /. valeric acid, -wurzel, /. valerian root, valerian. 

Valerian-Sl, n. valerian oil. -sSure, /. valeric acid, valerianic acid. -sMureamylather, m. amyl valerate. -sSuresalz, n. salt of valeric acid, valerate. 

The term pasaon flower is used to denote many of the approximately 400 species of the herb. F saon flower has been used in medicine to treat pain, anxiety, and insomnia. Some herbalists use the herb to treat symptoms of parkinsonism. F saon flower is often used in combination with other herbs , such a valerian, chamomile, and hops, for promoting relaxation, rest and sleep. Although no adverse reactions have been reported, large doses may cause CNS depression. The use of passion flower is contraindicated in pregnancy and in patientstaking the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Fission flower contains coumarin, and the risk of bleeding may be increased when used in patientstaking warfarin and pasaon flower. 

Valerian Valeriana officinalis Restlessness, sleep disorders Rare if used as directed. May interact with the barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), the benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam) and the opiates, (eg, morphine). 

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