Valerian Root
& Maillefer
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers. The flowers are in bloom in the northern hemisphere from June to September.
Valerian was used as a perfume in the sixteenth century.
Native to Europe and parts of Asia, Valerian has been introduced into North America. It is consumed as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species including Grey Pug.
Other names used for this plant include garden valerian (to distinguish it from other Valeriana species), garden heliotrope (although not related to Heliotropium) and all-heal.
The garden flower red valerian is also sometimes referred to as "valerian" but is a different species, from the same family but not particularly closely related.
Valerian, in pharmacology and phytotherapic medicine, is the name of a herb or dietary supplement prepared from roots of the plant, which, after maceration, trituration, dehydration processes, are conveniently packaged, usually into capsules, that may be utilized for certain effects including sedation and anxiolytic effect.
The amino acid Valine is named after this plant.
History
Dried valerian under Goðafoss in Iceland in November, 2007
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.
In medieval Sweden, it was sometimes placed in the wedding clothes of the groom to ward off the "envy" of the elves.
Etymology
The name Valerian comes from the Latin word valere, meaning "to be strong or healthy", generally thought to refer to its medicinal use, though many references suggest that it also refers to the strong odor.
An explanation for the theory regarding the etymological reference to the strong odor is that the herb was also known as "Phou" or "Fy" in antiquity. According to folk belief this medicine could turn everything painful into good.
It was therefore called "wenderot" or similar in Germanic language groups, meaning the root that could turn things bad to good. Domestic animals, pets, especially cats become ardent when they smell the herb.
Valerian extract
Biochemical composition
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
Mechanism of action
Because of valerian's historical use as a sedative, anti-convulsant, migraine treatment and pain reliever, most basic science research has been directed at the interaction of valerian constituents with the GABA neurotransmitter receptor system.
The mechanism of action of valerian in general, as a mild sedative in particular, remains unknown. Valerian extracts appear to have some affinity for the GABAA (benzodiazepine) receptor, but this activity does not appear to be mediated by valerenic acid, but rather by the relatively high content of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) itself.
Valerian also contains isovaltrate, which has been shown to be an agonist for adenosine A1 receptor sites.
Preparation
Valeriana officinalis
The chief constituent of Valerian is a yellowish-green to brownish-yellow oil which is present in the dried root varying from 0.5 to 2 percent though an average yield rarely exceeds 0.8 percent.
This variation in quantity is partly explained by location: a dry, stony soil, yielding a root richer in oil than one that is moist and fertile. The volatile oils that form the active ingredient are extremely pungent, somewhat reminiscent of well-matured cheese or wet dog. Valerian tea should not be prepared with boiling water, as this may drive off the lighter oils.
Medicinal use
Valerian is used for insomnia and other disorders and can be a useful alternative to benzodiazepine drugs.
In the United States Valerian is sold as a nutritional supplement.
Therapeutic use has increased as dietary supplements have gained in popularity, especially after the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act was passed in 1994. Valerian often seems only to work when taken over longer periods (several weeks), though many users find that it takes effect immediately.
Some studies have demonstrated that valerian extracts interact with the GABA and benzodiazepine receptors. Valerian is also used traditionally to treat gastrointestinal pain and irritable bowel syndrome.
As valepotriates may be potential mutagens, valerian should only be used after consultation with a physician.
Valerian is sometimes recommended as a first-line treatment when benefit-risk analysis dictates. Valerian is often indicated as transition medication when discontinuing benzodiazepines.
Valerian has uses in herbal medicine as a sedative.
The main current use of valerian is as a remedy for insomnia, with a recent meta-analysis providing some evidence of effectiveness. It has been recommended for epilepsy but that is not supported by research (although an analogue of one of its constituents, valproic acid, is used as an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug). One study found that valerian tends to sedate the agitated person and stimulate the fatigued person, bringing about a balancing effect on the system.
Oral forms, usage and adverse effects
Oral forms
Oral forms are available in both standardized and unstandardized forms.
When standardized it is done so as a percentage of valerenic acid or valeric acid.
Usage
Dosage is difficult to determine due to the lack of standardization and variability in available forms. Typical dosages of the crude herb vary from 2-10 grams per day.
Products containing valerian extracts may also cause an individual to test positive for benzodiazepines in most standard drug screens. Though some people like the earthy scent, many others find it unpleasant. In rare cases, Valerian may cause an allergic reaction, typically as a skin rash, hives, or difficulty breathing.
Effect on cats and rats
An unusual feature of valerian is that the essential oil of valerian root is a cat attractant similar to catnip.
Anecdotes state that valerian is also attractive to rats, so much so that it had been used to bait traps. "In vitro study in the interaction of extracts and pure compounds from Valerian officinalis roots with GABA, benzodiazepine and barbiturate receptors".