-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
herb
Valeriana spp. (Valerian)
botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Valeriana officinalis
synonyms: valerian, heliotrope, fragrant valerian, all-heal, Pnglish valerian, German valerian, wild valerian, setwall, vandal root, Vermont valerian, baidrian, herbe aux chats, valeriane, valeriana
part(s) used: root
qualities: spicy, bitter, warm
affinities: central nervous system, heart, arterial circulation, nerves, brain, spine, lungs, uterus, kidney, bladder, stomach and pancreas
actions: antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic, nervine, carminative; a sedative/calmative in state of agitation and a stimulant during fatigue; hypnotic, hypotensive; antibacterial, especially against Gram-positive bacteria (due to its alkaloids), antidiuretic, hepatic (protecting the liver from necrosis).
dosage: effective dose can vary widely (Weiss, p. 282)
» tincture: 2 - 10 ml. up to every two hours in acute conditions; to be effective, valerian must be given in a sufficiently high dose
» capsule: 2 - 4 capsules up to every two hours
» infusion: 1 - 2 tsp. root per cup water
therapy: colic, stomach/intestinal cramps, dysmenorrhea, hysteria (especially female), nervous coughs, migraine, rheumatic pain, tension, St. Vitus's Dance, epileptic fits, neuralgic pain, insomnia, restlessness and wakefulness, nervous unrest, excitability and exhaustion; clinical studies of valerian show that it improves the quality of sleep, according to patients’ perceptions; this is confirmed to some extent by EEG; it reduced the time taken to fall asleep, particularly in older people and in habitually poor sleepers, and did not cause somnolence in the morning or affect dream recall (Wren, p. 275).
Valerian is suggested for cases of heart palpitation because it slows down the heart rate while increasing the strength of the beats. (Yang GY, Wang W. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1994 Sep;14(9):540-542.)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1
toxicity: 2
» contains the narcotic alpha-methylpyrrylketone (Duke, pp. 503-504); continued use leads to melancholia and hysteria; large doses can cause nausea, diarrhea, urination, delirium; decreases pulse and blood pressure
» it is not uncommon for some (approximately 5%) to develop idiosyncratic reactions to Valerian, i.e. experience a stimulatory effect or hallucinations (Bergner)
» note: use daily for no longer than 3 weeks
constituents: volatile oil, iridoids known as valepotriates, alkaloids, choline, flavonoids, sterols, tannins
» The chief chemicals are alkaloids, valerianine and chatarine.
» Also present are a group of iridoid compounds called valepotriates (valtrate, valtrate, isovaleroxyhydrin, acevaltrate, vale-chlorine and more), valeric acids, didrovaltrates, valerosedatrum and volatile oils (bornyl acetate, isovalerate), camphene, pinene, caffeic acid, beta-sitosterol, tannin and gum.
drug interactions:
» volatile components increase sleeping time induced by pentobarbital (Hendriks et al)
» the CNS-depressant action of Valerian may potentiate anesthetics

footnotes

Bodesheim U, Holzl J. [Isolation and receptor binding properties of alkaloids and lignans from Valeriana officialis L]. Pharmazie 1997 May;52(5):386-391. [Article in German]
Abstract: In addition to the known Valeriana-Meanalkaloid, four 7,9':7'9-Diepoxylignans were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis L. They were tested in different radioreceptorassays at the 5-HT1A-, GABAA-, benzodiazepin and mu-opiate-receptor.

Bos R, Woerdenbag HJ, van Putten FM, Hendriks H, Scheffer JJ. Seasonal variation of the essential oil, valerenic acid and derivatives, and velopotriates in Valeriana officinalis roots and rhizomes, and the selection of plants suitable for phytomedicines. Planta Med 1998 Mar;64(2):143-147.
Abstract: During the seasons 1989-1993, Valeriana officinalis plants were investigated for their contents of essential oil, valerenic acid and derivatives, and valepotriates. Harvesting of the subterranean parts was started in August of the year in which the seeds were sown, and continued until the last week of April of the subsequent year. Despite marked variations from year to year, the maximum contents of essential oil in the subterranean parts of V. officinalis were found in September, ranging from 1.2% to 2.1% (v/w) based on dry weight (DW). Over the vegetation periods investigated, the composition of the oil remained more or less constant. Valerenic acid and its derivatives, and the valepotriates reached their maxima in February-March, with contents of 0.7-0.9% (DW) and 1.1-1.4% (DW), respectively. During the period 1989 - 1993, five V. officinalis strains were investigated for their contents of essential oil, valerenic acid and derivatives, and valepotriates in order to select plants suitable for phytomedicines. The selection procedures described in this paper finally yielded plant material (in 1993) with a satisfactory content of essential oil (0.9%) combined with a high content of valerenic acid and derivatives (0.5%) which can be harvested in September of the year of sowing.

Bourin M, Bougerol T, Guitton B, Broutin E. A combination of plant extracts in the treatment of outpatients with adjustment disorder with anxious mood: controlled study versus placebo. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 1997;11(2):127-132.
Abstract: Euphytose (EUP) is a combination of six extracts: Crataegus, Ballota, Passiflora and Valeriana, which have mild sedative effects, and Cola and Paullinia, which mainly act as mild stimulants. This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled general practice study was carried outpatients with adjustment disorder with anxious mood. The study was coordinated by psychiatrists. Ninety-one patients were included in the EUP group and 91 patients in the placebo group. They all received two tablets three times a day over 28 days (D). Evaluation using the Hamilton-anxiety (HAM-A) rating scale were carried out on D0, D7, D14 and on D28. Comparing the two groups, 42.9% of the patients (EUP group) had a HAM-A score of less than 10 at D28 versus 25.3% in the placebo group (P = 0.012). Changes in the HAM-A score between D0 and D28 were as follows: D0 (EUP: 26.12 +/- 4.0, placebo: 26.27 +/- 4.5), D7 (EUP: 19.65 +/- 5.7, placebo: 21.37 +/- 5.6), D14 (EUP: 15.36 +/- 5.7, placebo: 17.48 +/- 6.7), D28 (EUP: 12.63 +/- 7.3, placebo: 15.2 +/- 8.1). From D7 to D28 there was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.042) between the two treatments, indicating that EUP is better than placebo in the treatment of adjustment disorder with anxious mood.

Crellin JK and Philpott J. Herbal Medicine: Past and Present (Vol. II). Duke University Press, London, 1990, p.434-435.

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Dunaev VV, Trzhetsinskii SD, Tishkin VS, Fursa NS, Linenko VI. [Biological activity of the sum of the valepotriates isolated from Valeriana alliariifolia]. Farmakol Toksikol 1987 Nov;50(6):33-37. [Article in Russian]
Abstract: The native sum of valepotriates isolated from Val. alliariifolia Adams which was named valiracyl is an agent of low toxicity and exerts a pronounced neurotropic effect. Valiracyl suppresses the orientation reflex of animals in an "open field", decreases a spontaneous and caffeine-stimulated motor activity, potentiates and prolongs the action of barbiturates, significantly reduces aggressiveness of animals, decreases sensitivity to the convulsant effects of corasol and thiosemicarbazide, produces the antihypoxic and mild myorelaxant actions. The neurotropic effects of valiracyl are related to increased level of the GABA inhibition mediator and decreased intensity of bioenergetic processes in the brain.

Haas LF. Neurological stamp. Valeriana officinalis (garden heliotrope). J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1996 Mar;60(3):255.

Hendriks H, Bos R, Woerdenbag HJ, Koster AS. 1985. Central Nervous Depressant Activity of Valerenic Acid in the Mouse. Planta Med., (l):28-31.

Hendriks H, et al. Pharmacological screening of valerenal and some other components of essential oil of Valeriana officinalis. Planta Med. 1981 May; 42(1): 62-68.

Kornievskii IuI, Rybal'chenko AS, Stebliuk MV [Antimicrobial properties of essential oils of Valeriana stolonifera Czern., Valeriana nitida Kreyer, Valeriana exaltata Mikan]. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol 1970 Nov;47(11):137-139. [Article in Russian]

Leathwood PD, Chauffard F, Heck E, Munoz-Box R. Aqueous extract of valerian root (Valeriana officinalis L.) improves sleep quality in man. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1982 Jul;17(1):65-71.
Abstract: The effect of an aqueous extract of valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) root on subjectively rated sleep measures was studied on 128 people. Each person received 9 samples to test (3 containing placebo, 3 containing 400 mg valerian extract and 3 containing a proprietary over-the-counter valerian preparation). The samples, identified only by a code number, and presented in random order, were taken on non-consecutive nights. Valerian produced a significant decrease in subjectively evaluated sleep latency scores and a significant improvement in sleep quality: the latter was most notable among people who considered themselves poor or irregular sleepers, smokers, and people who thought they normally had long sleep latencies. Night awakenings, dream recall and somnolence the next morning were relatively unaffected by valerian. With the proprietary valerian-containing preparation, the only change was a significant increase in reports of feeling more sleepy than normal the next morning. Thus the questionnaire, simple to use and non-invasive, provides a sensitive means for detecting the effects of mild sedatives on different aspects of sleep in man. It also allows identification within the test population of the subgroups most affected.

Moerman D.E. Medicinal Plants of Native America, Technical Reports, Number 19, 1986, Vol.1, p.501. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology.

Rucker G. [The active substance of Valeriana]. Pharm Unserer Zeit 1979 May;8(3):78-86. [Article in German]

Santos MS, Ferreira F, Cunha AP, Carvalho AP, Ribeiro CF, Macedo T. Synaptosomal GABA release as influenced by valerian root extract--involvement of the GABA carrier. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 1994 Mar;327(2):220-231.
Abstract: The effect of an aqueous extract obtained from the roots of Valeriana officinalis was investigated on the uptake and release of GABA in synaptosomes isolated from rat brain cortex. Aqueous extract of valerian inhibited the uptake and stimulated the release of [3H]GABA, either in the absence or in the presence of K+ depolarization. The release was Na(+)-dependent and independent of the presence of Ca2+ in the external medium. It is concluded that valerian extract releases [3H]GABA by reversal of the GABA carrier, which is Na(+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent. This increase in [3H]GABA release appears to be independent from Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and the membrane potential.

Tamamura K, Kakimoto M, Kawaguchi M, Iwasaki T. [Pharmacological studies on the constituents of crude drugs and plants. 1. Pharmacological actions of Valeriana officinalis Linne var. latifolia Miquel]. Yakugaku Zasshi 1973 May;93(5):599-606 [Article in Japanese]

Torssell K, Wahlberg K. Isolation, structure and synthesis of alkaloids from Valeriana officinalis L. Acta Chem Scand 1967;21(1):53-62.

Wagner H, Jurcic K. [On the spasmolytic activity of valeriana extracts]. Planta Med 1979 Sep;37(1):84-86. [Article in German]

Wagner H, Jurcic K, Schaette R. [Comparative studies on the sedative action of Valeriana extracts, valepotriates and their degradation products]. Planta Med 1980 Aug;39(4):358-365. [Article in German]

Weiss, R.F. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum; Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd.

Willey LB, Mady SP, Cobaugh DJ, Wax PM. Valerian overdose: a case report. Vet Hum Toxicol 1995 Aug;37(4):364-365.
Abstract: We present the first reported case of valerian (Valeriana officianalis) overdose. This herb is popular as a sedative but little is known about its toxic effects. The patient presented with mild symptoms, all of which resolved within 24 h. Valerian overdose, at approximately 20 times the recommended therapeutic dose, appears to be benign.

Wren, R.C.; Williamson, E.M.; Evans, F.J. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Essex, England: C.W. Daniel Co., Ltd.

Yang GY, Wang W. [Clinical studies on the treatment of coronary heart disease with Valeriana officinalis var latifolia]. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1994 Sep;14(9):540-542. [Article in Chinese]
Abstract: Valeriana officinalis var latifolia (VOL), which is the variety of Valeriana officinalis and has the properties to relieve smooth muscle spasm and powerful vasodilation, as demonstrated by animal experiments; no report on its application in treating coronary heart disease (CHD) has been found as yet with VOL. Our preparation of a volatile oil fractionated from its root have been used to treat 82 CHD patients with angina pectoris, among whom ST-T ischemic changes appeared on ECG in 50 cases before treatment. Its total effective rate for the simple angina (without detectable ischemic findings) was 87.80%; the angina with ischemic findings, 88.00%. For comparisons, another 34 patients with the same conditions, 24 cases among them belonged to the angina with ischemic findings, were treated with a composite injection of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SMCo); the total effective rates for the simple angina and for the angina with ischemic findings were 41.18% and 37.50% respectively. The differences between VOL and SMCo were both highly significant (P < 0.001, P < 0.01) either in the simple angina or in the angina with ischemic findings. The results showed VOL was superior to SMCo on matter in the remission of symptoms, decreasing the attack frequency and shortening the duration of angina, or in restoring the blood supply to ischemic myocardium. In addition, it was discovered that VOL could lower plasma lipids as well. No toxic actions to liver, kidney, hemopoietic tissue, have been found.

Zhang BH, Meng HP, Wang T, Dai YC, Shen J, Tao C, Wen SR, Qi Z, Ma L, Yuan SH. [Effects of Valeriana officinalis L extract on cardiovascular system]. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao 1982 May;17(5):382-384. [Article in Chinese]