Valeriana officinalis

Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae, Essential oil (contains epoxy-valerate triester, which undergoes enzymatic degradation and forms valeric acid and methyl ketone), monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, camphene), monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenes, valerin, tannins, alkaloids (valerianin), starch, carbohydrates, resins
Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae, Essential oil (contains epoxy-valerate triester, which undergoes enzymatic degradation and forms valeric acid and methyl ketone), monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, camphene), monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenes, valerin, tannins, alkaloids (valerianin), starch, carbohydrates, resinsValeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae, Essential oil (contains epoxy-valerate triester, which undergoes enzymatic degradation and forms valeric acid and methyl ketone), monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, camphene), monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenes, valerin, tannins, alkaloids (valerianin), starch, carbohydrates, resinsValeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae, Essential oil (contains epoxy-valerate triester, which undergoes enzymatic degradation and forms valeric acid and methyl ketone), monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, camphene), monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenes, valerin, tannins, alkaloids (valerianin), starch, carbohydrates, resinsValeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae, Essential oil (contains epoxy-valerate triester, which undergoes enzymatic degradation and forms valeric acid and methyl ketone), monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, camphene), monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenes, valerin, tannins, alkaloids (valerianin), starch, carbohydrates, resinsValeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae, Essential oil (contains epoxy-valerate triester, which undergoes enzymatic degradation and forms valeric acid and methyl ketone), monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, camphene), monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenes, valerin, tannins, alkaloids (valerianin), starch, carbohydrates, resinsValeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae, Essential oil (contains epoxy-valerate triester, which undergoes enzymatic degradation and forms valeric acid and methyl ketone), monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, camphene), monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenes, valerin, tannins, alkaloids (valerianin), starch, carbohydrates, resinsValeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae, Essential oil (contains epoxy-valerate triester, which undergoes enzymatic degradation and forms valeric acid and methyl ketone), monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, camphene), monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenes, valerin, tannins, alkaloids (valerianin), starch, carbohydrates, resinsValeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae, Essential oil (contains epoxy-valerate triester, which undergoes enzymatic degradation and forms valeric acid and methyl ketone), monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, camphene), monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenes, valerin, tannins, alkaloids (valerianin), starch, carbohydrates, resins
Botanical Nomenclature Valeriana officinalis
Common Name All-Heal, Amantilla, Capon's Tail, Garden Heliotrope, Garden Valerian, Setewale, Setwall, Vandal Root
Taxonomy- Family Valerianaceae
Distinguishing Features of the Plant Valeriana officinalis is a perennial plant growing from 20 to 120cm, with pinnate, compound, wavy leaves and small, pink or white flowers in inflorescences. The flowering lasts from June to August and the harvesting takes place from August to October.
Region Found Ioannina (Gramos, Pindos, Vikos-Aoos, Smolikas, Metsovo)
Part of the Plant with Active Substances Rhizome, root
Active Substances Essential oil (contains epoxy-valerate triester, which undergoes enzymatic degradation and forms valeric acid and methyl ketone), monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, camphene), monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenes, valerin, tannins, alkaloids (valerianin), starch, carbohydrates, resins
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications The herbal extract made from the root has soothing, sedative, spasmolytic, digestive and hypnotic properties. It is administered in the form of herbal tea for the treatment of polydipsia, intestinal parasites, digestive disorders, pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhoea), intestinal colics, colitis and fever. Also, it has anticonvulsant properties and it is recommended against muscle cramps, seizures mainly in children and nerve spasms. The herbal tea made from the root is mostly used in phytotherapy against anxiety, tension, hysteria, insomnia and migraine. Finally, it is used as painkiller, especially against the pain caused by nervous tension and migraine, while plant's consumption by animals, may cause narcotic euphoria.
Method of Administration The plant is administered as a sedative, hypnotic and anticonvulsant in the form of herbal tea (1-2g of dried herb in a cup of boiled water, half an hour before sleeping) and in the form of tincture (a quantity of dried root in ethyl alcohol 70%, 1ml which corresponds at about 20 drops a day)
Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions.
Toxicity- Adverse Effects May cause diarrhea, headaches, vertigo, nausea and palpitations. The simultaneous administration of the plant with sedatives or alcohol should be avoided. The maximum daily dose is 6g.
References 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, Α' τόμος, σελίδες: 135-137 2) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 319-320, 3)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3052692/ 4)http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-valerian.html 5)http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/v/valeri01.html 6)http://www.drugs.com/npp/valerian.html