Valerian root Herbal Information
NAME
Valerian
LATIN NAME
Valeriana officinalis
ALSO KNOWN AS
Garden valerian, garden heliotrope.
ORIGIN
Native to Europe and parts of Asia.
PARTS USED
Root of the plant.
TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF VALERIAN
Valerian is a natural sedative and relaxant, it calms the nervous system and is perhaps one of the most useful relaxing nervines available to us. It is nature's tranquiliser and can promote sleep and relieve pain.
It is good for:
Nervous tension,
Anxiety,
Insomnia,
Intestinal colic,
Cramps,
Period pains,
Migraine,
Rheumatic pain,
Tonic for the heart,
Reduces high blood pressure.
FOLKLORE AND HISTORY OF VALERIAN
Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates described its properties, and Galen later prescribed it as a remedy for insomnia. The Native Americans used it in healing wounds and ulcers, as well as a cough remedy.
CONSTITUENTS OF VALERIAN
Known pharmacologically active compounds detected in valerian extract are:
Alkaloids: actinidine, catinine, valerianine, and valerine
Isovaleramide,
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) - neurotransmitter connected to the sedative effects of the plant
Valeric acid
Valepotriates, acevaltrate, isovaltrate and valtrate
Volatile oil containing active sesquiterpenes (acetoxivalerenic acid, valerenic acid)
Flavanones such as hesperidin, 6-methylapigenin and linarin
TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE OF VALERIAN
Suggested Dosage
Valerian Herbal tincture-
Extraction Ratio 1:3
Alcohol Vol. 45%
2-4mls up to 3 times per day. or before bed.
or as recommended by a herbal practitioner.
Valerian cut herb-
1-2 teasp of cut herb root
to be drank when needed.
or as recommended by a herbal practitioner
PRECAUTIONS
Not recommended during pregnancy or breast feeding. Can make some people feel nervous, anxious and experience palpitations. If it has been taken for a long time it can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly. Not recommended for those taking barbituates or benzodiazepine medication
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