Valeriana officinalis Valerianaceae

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. 

Note Valerian consists of the dried rhizome and roots of Valeriana officinalis Linne (Fam. Valerianaceae). It has been employed as an antianxiety agent and sleep aid for more than 1000 years. The drug contains from 0.3 to 0.7% of an unpleasant-smelling volatile oil containing bornyl acetate and the sesquiterpenoids, valerenic acid, and acetoxyvalerenolic acid. Also present is a mixture of lipophilic iridoid principles known as valepotriates. These bicyclic monoterpenoids are quite unstable and occur only in the fresh plant or in material dried at temperatures under 40°C. Although the specific active principals of valerian have not been determined, it is possible that a combination of the sesquiterpenoids and the valepotriates may be involved. The drug may be administered as a tea prepared from 2 to 3 g of the dried herb or equivalent amounts of a tincture or extract may be employed. 

Huperzia serrata (moss), Lycopodium selago (fir club moss) (Lycopodiaceae) Valeriana officinalis (Valerianaceae) [root]... 

VALERIAN ROOT, Valerianae radix Valerian root consists of the underground organs of Valeriana officinalis L.s.L. (Valerianaceae) (Fig. 23) including the rhizome, roots and stolons, harvested during early autumn of the second year of growth. 

C,oH,t, Mr 136.24, oil. Isomeric bicyclic raonoter-penes ( SARH-)-a-E, bp. 155-158°C, [a]D-32 (neat) fi-E, bp. 153 °C, [a]D +84.9° (neat). a-F. occurs in the essential oil of leaves of the western red cedar (Thuja plicata, Cupressaceae) and the medicinal valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) while P-F. occurs in the fruits of common caraway (Carum carvi, Apiaceae). ... 

Camphene, with its slight camphoric odor, is used in perfumery and is derived from the isocamphane skeleton its enantiomers readily undergo racemization and occur as such or as the racemate in bergamot oil, as well as in the oils of citronella and turpentine. (+)-a-Fenchene is found in the ethereal oils of the giant tree of life Thuja plicata (Cupressaceae) and valerian Valeriana officinalis (Valerianaceae), (+)-P-fenchene in the fruits of caraway Carum carvi (Umbellifereae). 

In contrast, valeranes arising from migration of flie methyl group C-15 in eudesmane from C-4 to C-5, in contrast, very rarely occur. Examples include the va-lerenones from the roots of valerian Valeriana officinalis and from Nardostachys jatamansi (Valerianaceae). 

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). 

Valeriana officinalis, 145, 149 Valerianaceae, 145 Vavaea, 204 Veitchia, 162 Verhuellia, 109 Veronicaceae, 130, 131 Vicieae, 129 Victoria, 93 Virginia, 50 Virginianthus calycanthoides, 50 Voanioala, 163 Vochysiaceae, 128 Vriesea, 159... 

Valerian Valeriana officinalis L. Valerianaceae Root Cult LQ... 

Source Valeriana officinalis L. and V. jatamansii Jones (syn. V. wallichii DC.) (Family Valerianaceae). 

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