Valeriana officinalis (Valerian Root) 5X Extract

Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture.

The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Valerian root for 'Restlessness, sleeping disorders based on nervous conditions.'

'Dosage: Unless otherwise prescribed: Infusions: 2 - 3 g of drug per cup, once to several times per day. Tincture: ½ - 1 teaspoon (1 - 3 ml), once to several times per day. Extracts: Amount equivalent to 2 - 3 g of drug, once to several times per day. External Use: 100 g for one full bath; equivalent preparations. Mode of Administration: Internal: As expressed juice from fresh plants, tincture, extracts, and other galenical preparations. External: As a bath additive. Actions: Sedative: Sleep-promoting'

The World Health Organization also recommends Valerian as a mild sedative, pain-reliever and sleep-promoting agent.

Valerian root contains many constituents, including essential oils that appear to contribute to the herb's sedating qualities. Contemporary clinical studies have demonstrated that Valerian significantly improves sleep quality without morning grogginess. Regular, moderate use produces neither dependency nor health risks.

Valerian was included in many editions of the United States Dispensatory (Merck) since 1849, which reported the herb's effect on the nervous system and its ability to produce drowsiness and sleep.

Various valerian species are still included in the pharmacopoeiae of many nations including Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The United States Pharmacopeial Convention has accepted a valerian monograph for inclusion in the National Formulary (Pharmacopeial Forum, 1998). It is widely used as a sedative and antispasmodic in the United States. Valerian preparations appear to be candidates for safe and effective nonaddictive alternatives to conventional sleep medications.

Valerian roots contain several compounds with demonstrable pharmacological activity. Valerian analyses have primarily focused on the essential oil, valerenic acid and valepotriates. In the United States, the essential oil and valerenic acid are commonly used as marker compounds for qualitative and quantitative analysis of valerian root and valerian products.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Valerian is a powerful nervine, stimulant, carminative and antispasmodic.'

'It has a remarkable influence on the cerebro-spinal system, and is used as a sedative to the higher nerve centres in conditions ofnervous unrest, St. Vitus's dance, hypochrondriasis, neuralgic pains and the like.'

'The drug allays pain and promotes sleep. It is of especial use and benefit to those suffering from nervous overstrain, as it possesses none of the after-effects produced by narcotics.'

'During the recent War, when air-raids were a serious strain on the overwrought nerves of civilian men and women, Valerian, prescribed with other simple ingredients, taken in a single dose, or repeated according to the need, proved wonderfully efficacious, preventing or minimizing serious results.'

'Though in ordinary doses, it exerts an influence quieting and soothing in its nature upon the brain and nervous system, large doses, too often repeated, have a tendency to produce pain in the head, heaviness and stupor.'

'It is commonly administered as Tinctura Valerianae Ammoniata, and often in association with the alkali bromides, and is sometimes given in combination with quinine, the tonic powers of which it appreciably increases.'

'The juice of the fresh root, under the name of Energetene of Valerian, has of late been recommended as more certain in its effects, and of value as a narcotic in insomnia, and as an anti-convulsant in epilepsy. Having also some slight influence upon the circulation, slowing the heart and increasing its force, it has been used in the treatment of cardiac palpitations.'

'Preparations and Dosages: Fluid extract, ½ to 1 drachm. Solid extract, 5 to 10 grains. Tincture, B.P. and U.S.P., 1885, 1 to 2 drachms. Ammoniated tincture, B.P. and U.S.P. 1898, ½ to 1 drachm.'

'Valerian has an effect on the nervous system of many animals, especially cats, which seem to be thrown into a kind of intoxication by its scent. It is scarcely possible to keep a plant of Valerian in a garden after the leaves or root have been bruised or disturbed in any way, for cats are at once attracted and roll on the unfortunate plant. It is equally attractive to rats and is often used by rat-catchers to bait their traps. It has been suggested that the famous Pied Piper of Hamelin owed his irresistible power over rats to the fact that he secreted Valerian roots about his person.'

'In the Middle Ages, the root was used not only as a medicine but also as a spice, and even as a perfume. It was the custom to lay the roots among clothes as a perfume (vide Turner, Herbal, 1568, Pt. III, p. 56), just as some of the Himalayan Valerians are still used in the East, especially V. Jatamansi, the Nard of the Ancients, believed to be the Spikenard referred to in the Scriptures. It is still much used in ointments. Its odour is not so unpleasant as that of our native Valerians, and this and other species of Valerian are used by Asiatic nations in the manufacture of precious scents.'

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Valerian excites the cerebro-spinal system. Large doses cause headache, mental excitement, visual illusions, giddiness, restlessness, agitation, and even spasmodic movements, and frequently nausea.'

'In medicinal doses it acts as a stimulant-tonic, antispasmodic and calmative, and has been used in chorea, hysteria, and in the low forms of fever, where a nervous stimulant is required.'

'Dose, 1 teaspoonful, 3 times a day (Locke).'

'Valerian is adapted to the milder spasmodic affections. Prof. Webster states that 'it is better calculated to steady that hyperaesthetic state which carries a patient to the very verge of convulsive action than to relax it when it has once taken place'—(Dynam. Therap., 214).'

'Valerian is one of many agents which have been used for the relief of epilepsy. The extract of valerian is worthless, but the fluid extract has been found to possess all the medicinal virtues of the root. The powder is apt to irritate the stomach and bowels, its dose is from ½ drachm to 2 drachms, every 3 or 4 hours; the infusion, which is a preferable form, may be given in doses of 1 or 2 fluid ounces; the fluid extract, in doses of from 20 to 60 drops in a little water; the tincture, in doses of 1 or 2 fluid drachms; and the volatile oil, from 2 to 6 drops; ammoniated tincture, 1 to 2 fluid drachms; specific valerian, 2 to 30 drops.'

'Specific Indications and Uses: A cerebral stimulant. Hysteria, chorea, hemicrania, all with mental depression and despondency; cerebral anemia; mild spasmodic movements.'

American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood): 'Valerian is not a narcotic. Its influence upon the nervous system is best obtained when the circulation of those centers is inactive and feeble, especially when there is a paleness of the face and the skin is cool. It is directly indicated in hysterical conditions of whatever character with feebleness; with nervous excitement, and morbid vigilance, in hysterical epilepsy, and in nervous headaches with some pallor. It is excellent in the hysteria and nervous disturbances incident to the menopause. Its general soothing effect in all these cases is desirable. It controls distress and imaginary pain and produces quiet, permitting sleep and rest.

'This agent has long been known as a nervine. It is gentle and soothing in its influence upon the nervous system, especially upon the spinal centers. It is applicable in the nervousness of depression because of its gentle stimulating influence, and in these cases its influence is heightened by combining it with stimulants.

This result is effectually obtained from the valerianate of ammonium, which is the most active of the valerian compounds. In conditions where the nervousness is induced by hyperactivity—actual increased nerve force—or where there is organic disease, it is not the remedy.'

'The agent exercises a good influence in combination with cimicifuga in the treatment of chorea. Its influence upon disordered motility, although not marked, is similar to that of cannabis indica, hyoscyamus and scutellaria.'

Our Valerian extract is sold for legitimate ethnobotanical research purposes only and is not intended for human consumption!  By ordering you are automatically agreeing to our terms and conditions.