Valeriana officinalis

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 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). 

Table 2.5 Selected terpenes from three populations of Valeriana officinalis (from Coassini Lokar and Moneghini, 1989)...

Coassini Lokar, L. and Mon hini, M. 1989. Geographical variation in the monoterpenes of Valeriana officinalis leaf. Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 17 563-567. 

Cavadas C, Araujo I, Cotrim MD, et al. In vitro study on the interaction of Valeriana officinalis L. extracts and their amino acids on GABAA receptor in rat brain. Arzne imittelforschung 1995 45 753-755. 

Valerian is native to Europe and Asia, but now grows in most parts of the world. Valeriana officinalis is the most commonly known and studied, but approximately 200 species are known (figure 6.1) (Kowalchick and Hylton 1987). Unless otherwise specified, the name valerian will be used here to refer to V. officinalis. Valerian grows 50 to 100 cm in height, with an erect stem with pinnate leaves and numerous small pink-white flowers at the top. The parts of the plant used medicinally are the roots and rhizome (figure 6.2). 

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

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). 

Opioid A recent study has shown activity of hypericum extracts at opioid receptors (Simmen et al. 1998). Extracts displace naloxone from p and x opioid receptors in the micromolar range (IC50 25 and 90 pg/ml, respectively). In contrast, extracts of the sedative herb Valeriana officinalis do not have this effect. This effect is due to unidentified constituents and not by the flavonoids quercetin or kaemferol. Opioids are known to have effects on emotion, so it is conceivable that activity of hypericum at p and k receptors contributes to its therapeutic effects (Gerra et al. 1998 Tejedor-Real et al. 1995 Walker and Zacny 1998). Although they are not conventional treatment for depression, opioids such as buprenorphine have been effective in treatment of refractory depression (Bodkin et a. 1995). However, for any further conclusions to be drawn, it would be necessary to further e uddate the opioid effects of hypericum to determine what functional effect, if any, hypericum has on the receptors. 

Hiller KO, Zetler G. (1996). Neuropharmacological studies on ethanol extracts of Valeriana officinalis L. behavioural and anticonvulsant properties. Phytother Res. 10(2) 145-151. 

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.]... 

Ortiz JG, Nieves-Natal J, Chavez P. (1999). Effects of Valeriana officinalis extracts on [3H]flunitrazepam binding, synaptosomal [3H]GABA uptake, and hippocampal [3H]GABA release. Neurochem Res. 24(11) 1373-78. 

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Reduces nervousness and insomnia... 

Of about 200 species of the genus Valeriana, Valeriana officinalis is the one most commonly used medicinally (Plushner, 2000). The parts of this plant that are used for this purpose are the dried rhizomes and roots. 

Holzl, J. and Godau, P. (1989) Receptor binding studies with Valeriana officinalis on the benzodiazepine receptor. Planta Med 55 642. 

Plushner, S.L. (2000) Valerian Valeriana officinalis. Am Health Syst Pharm 57 328-335... 

Valerian oil is obtained by steam distillation of well-dried ground roots of Valeriana officinalis L. (Valerianaceae). It is a yellow-green to yellow-brown liquid with an extremely strong, characteristic, penetrating odor. The oil becomes dark and viscous on aging or on exposure to air. 

Ferreira F, Santos MS, Faro C, et al. Effects of extracts of valeriana officinalis on ( H)GABA-release in synaptosomes further evidence for the involvement of free GABA in the valerian-induced release. Rev Portuguese Farm 1996 46 74-77. 

Bodesheim U, Holz J. Isolation and receptor binding properties of alkaloidsand ligands from Valeriana officinalis. Pharmazie 1997 52 386-391. 

Valerian Valeriana officinalis (Valeri anaceae) Valeranone... 

N.A. Valeriana officinalis L. Essential oil, valtrate, valepotriates, bomyl esters, alkaloids, isovaltrate.99-100 Sedative for nervous disorders, antispasmodic. 

Ephedra distachya, Fritillaria verticillata, Justicia adhatoda, Lobelia siphilitica, Medicago sativa, Nicotiana tabacum, Pedicularis palustris, P. canadensis, Physalis alkekengi, P franchetti, P pubescene, Picrasma excelsa, Swertia chirata, Valeriana officinalis, Veratrum viride, Verbena officinalis, Viscum album... 

Valerian Valeriana officinalis) The roots of this plant are dried to produce a potent extract that induces sleepiness and helps treat insomnia. Like lavender, it depresses the activity of the central nervous system in a fashion similar to stronger prescription tranquilizers such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates, but without the dulling or hangover effects the next day or impairing the ability to drive a car. 

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