Valerian root

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... 

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

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine are known for their sedating properties and are frequently used over-the-counter medications (usual doses 25-50 mg) for difficulty sleeping. Diphenhydramine is approved by the FDA for the treatment of insomnia and can be effective at reducing sleep latency and increasing sleep time.43 However, diphenhydramine produces undesirable anticholinergic effects and carryover sedation that limit its use. As with TCAs and BZDRAs, diphenhydramine should be used with caution in the elderly. Valerian root is an herbal sleep remedy that has inconsistent effects on sleep but may reduce sleep latency and efficiency at commonly used doses of 400 to 900 mg valerian extract. Ramelteon, a new melatonin receptor agonist, is indicated for insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset. The recommended dose is 8 mg at bedtime. Ramelteon is not a controlled substance and thus may be a viable option for patients with a history of substance abuse. 

Dong quai and several other herbal products, including evening primrose oil, passion flowers, sage, valerian root, flaxseed, and wild yam, have not demonstrated efficacy with regard to the relief of vasomotor symptoms, and the safety of these products is also questionable.4,33,35 Therefore, these products should not be recommended for the relief of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women. 

Evening primrose oil, passion flowers, sage, valerian root, and wild yam No demonstrated efficacy Not recommended Caution with all plant products in women with hay fever and plant allergies... 

Valerian root and rhizome Valeriana officinalis). Reprinted from Culbreth DMR. (1927). Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy, 7th ed. Philadelphia Lea Febiger. 

In a manner similar to imipramine, an ethanol extract of valerian root was found to prevent immobility induced by a forced-swimming test in rats, suggesting a potential antidepressant effect of valerian (Sakamoto et al. 1992). 

Buchbauer G, Jager W, Jirovetz L, Meyer F, Dietrich H. (1992). [Effects of valerian root oil, borneol, isoborneol, bornyl acetate and isobornyl acetate on the motility of laboratory animals (mice) after inhalation]. Pharmazie. 1992 Aug. 47(8) 620-2. 

Leathwood PD, Chauffard F, Heck E, Munoz-Box R. (1982). Aqueous extract of valerian root (Valeriana officinalis L.) improves sleep quality in man. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 17(1) 65-71. Lebot V, Merlin M, Lindstrom L. (1997). Kava—the Pacific Elixir The Definitive Guide to Its Ethnobotany, History, and Chemistry. Rochester, VT Healing Arts Press. [Originally published New Haven Yale University Press, 1992.]... 

Leuschner J, Muller J, Rudmann M. (1993). Characterisation of the central nervous depressant activity of a commercially available valerian root extract. Arzneimittelforschung. 43(6) 638-41. 

Sakamoto T, Mitani Y, Nakajima K. (1992). Psychotropic effects of Japanese valerian root extract. Chem Pharm Bull (Tol o). 40(3) 758-61. 

Santos MS, Ferreira F, Cunha AP, Carvalho AP, Ribeiro CF, Macedo T. (1994a). Synaptosomal GABA release as influenced by valerian root extract—involvement of the GABA carrier. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. 327(2) 220-31. 

Valerian root, an over-the-counter herbal supplement, has also been used for insomnia. Thought to act, like the benzodiazepines, by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, preliminary studies indicate that 400 mg of valerian root decreases sleep latency and enhances sleep quality. 

Valerian root pills are said to reduce insomnia and nervousness. (Will and Deni Mclntyre/Photo Researchers, Inc.)... 

Oocrmimee.—lke greater number of tbe aoids of this secies are met with ready formed in nature, some in the free state, as formic acid in ants and nettles, ralerio acid in the valerian root, pehu onio acid in the essential oil of the jPehrgonim roaem, and cerotio acid in bees>wax. 

Main actives Valepotriates (0.5-2.0%), volatile oil (0.2-1.0%) and valeric acid (0.1-0.9%). Benefits Valerian has been used as a daytime sedative to reduce anxiety and stress and it has been demonstrated to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. Valerian root extracts and volatile oils are used as components in the flavour industry, especially in alcoholic beverages such as beers and liqueurs and in soft drinks such as root beers. They have also been used in tobacco flavours. 

Catnip contains nepetalactone, a volatile oil similar to that found in valerian root. It acts as a mild sedative to relieve migraines, menstrual cramps, tension, and anxiety. Many consider catnip effective in treating flatulence and indigestion others regard it as a diuretic. Ozarks use catnip to treat aching teeth. A weak catnip tea is a traditional remedy to help soothe colicky babies. 

Valerian root (from Valeriana officinalis L.) has traditional use in symptomatic treatment of neurotonic conditions of adults and children, particularly in cases of minor sleep disturbances Commission E has approved valerian for restlessness and nervous disturbances of sleep Valerian is included in the General Sale List of the Medicines Control Agency and permitted in traditional herbal remedies as a sedative and to promote natural sleep... 

Valerian root (Valerian officinalis) has also been a popular sleep aid. It is believed to work by stimulating the release of the neurotransmitter GABA. Several trials have shown a 400 mg dose to significantly reduce sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep) and improve subjective sleep quality. Some commercial preparations of valerian root also contain hops (Flores humuli) as a synergistic ingredient. 

The leaving group need not be tosylate in the following example, part of a synthesis of berg-amotene (a component of valerian root oil and the aroma of Earl Grey tea), a 2-iodo alcohol rearranges. 

The terpene sesquifenchene is a constituent of Indian valerian root oil. When it was first discovered in 1963, it was assumed to have structure A, related to bergamotene, a constituent of oil of bergamot (the fragrance of Earl Grey tea). 

Another relevant variable is the dosage form when a herbal tea is prepared by hot extraction from valerian root, up to 60% of the valepotriates remain in the root material and only 0.1% can be recovered from the tea. A freshly prepared tincture contains 11% of the valepotriates originally found in the root material. Storage at room temperature rapidly reduces this to 3.7% after 1 week and 0% after 3 weeks. In view of this rapid degradation, it is not surprising that commercially available tincture samples yield baldrinals. 

A 58-year-old man who had regularly taken excessive doses of valerian root extract for many years was given naloxone postoperatively and developed extreme tremulousness and worsening ventilation. His condition deteriorated and he became delirious. He was treated with midazolam, lorazepam, and finally reducing doses of clonazepam and made an uneventful recovery. 

Garges HP, Varia I, Doraiswamy PM. Cardiac complications and delirium associated with valerian root withdrawal. JAMA 1998 280(18) 1566-7. 

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