Valeriana edulis

The content of valepotriates and sesquiterpenes varies across species of the Valeriana genus. For example, Valeriana officinalis has relatively high content of sesquiterpenes and low content of valepotriates, while Valeriana edulis has a high proportion of valepotriates and low content of sesquiterpenes (Lindahl and Lindwall 1989). 

Isovaltrate and valtrate (valepotriates) and valeronone, an essential oil component, isolated from Valeriana edulis ssp. procera Meyer (Valeriana "mexicana") caused suppression of rhythmic contractions in guinea pig ileum in vivo at a dose of 20 mg/kg administered intravenously via the jugular vein. The investigators also demonstrated that the same compounds as well as dihydrovaltrate isolated from the same valerian species produced relaxation of carbachol-stimulated guinea pig ileum preparations in vitro. They concluded that these compounds have a musculotropic action in concentrations from 10 5. to 10 4M(Hazelhoff et al., 1982). 

Medizinalpflanze Valeriana edulis ssp. Procera Meyer. Technischen Universitat Munchen, Freising-Weihenstephan, Lehrstuhl fur Gemusebau (dissertation), 1989,... 

Valerian root Valeriana officianalis Valeriana edulis Sleep aid Sedation vomiting. 

Valeriana edulis Nutt, ex Torr. A. Gray ssp. procera (Kunth) KG. Mey. 

Selenicereus grandiflorus flower, stem Tetradium ruticarpum unripe fruit Valeriana edulis ssp. procera rhizome, root Valeriana jatamansi rhizome, root Valeriana officinalis rhizome, root Valeriana sitchensis rhizome, root Zingiber officinale rhizome... 

The genus Valeriana contains about 250 species in the world. Majority of representatives of this genus are distributed over the temperate regions. The three most important species that play a role in herbal medicine are V officinalis L., V. jatamansi Jones (synonym V. wallichii DC.) and V edulis Nutt, ex Torr. and Gray ssp. procera H.B.K. 

Valerian consists of the dried rhizome and roots of Valeriana officinalis (Valerianaceae). Valeriana wallichii and V. edulis also serve as commercial sources of the drug. Species from related genera also are known to contain the active principles. Valerian has been used as a calmative in nervousness and hysteria for at least 1000 years. A series of water-soluble glycosides, collectively called valepotriates, are responsible for the mild tranquilizing activity. These preparations are widely available in Europe (Charlwood and Charlwood, 1991 Tyler et al., 1981). 

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