Valerian
This book is available in the John R. Martin Rare Book Room in Hardin Library for the Health Sciences.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Valeriana officinalis is a member of the Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae), native to Europe and Asia but now grown all over the world (Spinella, 2001). A perennial growing up to one or two meters tall (3–6 feet), it has dark green, pinnately compound leaves with serrated leaflets along the stem and at the base of the plant. It bears white to pinkish flowers in terminal clusters and produces an offensive odor when the roots are dry and exposed (Eadie, 2004). For centuries an ointment from Valerian officinalis has been used in China, Egypt, and Greece, as well as other countries throughout Europe, to treat sleep disorders (Gooneratne, 2008). During the 18th and 19th centuries, valerian was also used in Europe as a popular anticonvulsant remedy to treat epilepsy (Eadie, 2004). One study has shown that the root extract improves the quality of sleep for women who suffer sleep disorders as they progress through menopause (Bent et al. 2006).
Historical use
Nicholas Culpeper’s English Physician and Complete Herbal published in 1789 includes historical information on the use of Valerian. The root was boiled with licorice and raisins and ingested to treat coughs and remove phlegm. It was boiled in wine to treat a bite or sting from a venomous animal. A drop of boiled Valerian was applied to the eye to remove any dimness of sight and alleviate any eye pain. It was also used to treat any internal or external wounds and remove splinter or thorns.
Latest Research
- Complete genome characterization of a novel virus isolated from the ethnic medicine plant Valeriana jatamansi Jones
by Chaorong Yang on January 21, 2026 at 11:00 amA novel double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus was discovered in Valeriana jatamansi Jones plants showing brown necrotic stripe symptoms in Kunming, Yunnan Province. This virus was tentatively designated as “Valeriana jatamansi cryptic virus 2” (VJCV2), with GenBank accession numbers PP482523 and PP482524. The complete genome sequence of VJCV2 was determined using metatranscriptomic sequencing and Sanger sequencing. The genome of VJCV2 comprises two dsRNA segments dsRNA1 (PP482523, 2,463 bp) and…
- Combined antibacterial effect of essential oils from three Indian medicinal plants and antibiotic tetracycline on MRSA using simplex centroid mixture designby Geetanjali Raikwar on October 6, 2025 at 10:00 am
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major global pathogen, recognized for its high level of antimicrobial resistance. Essential oils have been extensively studied in both observational and clinical research for their promising antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to characterize the essential oils Satureja montana (SMEO), Syncarpia glomerulifera (SGEO), and Valeriana officinalis (VOEO) using GC-MS analysis and their synergistic antibacterial activity in combination with…
- Herbal Medicines in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Therapeutic Potential, Plant Components, and Dosage Guidelinesby Nasser M Aldekhail on August 6, 2025 at 10:00 am
BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), marked by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors, significantly impacts the quality of life for kids and caregivers. Herbal medicines help manage symptoms, yet no comprehensive review has collectively summarized recent evidence (2018-mid-2025).
- Valeriana Jatamansi: An Overview of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Clinical Prospects, and Network Analysis of Drug Targetsby Siyu Zhao on June 29, 2025 at 10:00 am
Valeriana jatamansi Jones (V. jatamansi) has a long history of medicinal use owing to its significant therapeutic effects, particularly in the treatment of mental diseases such as depression, and on account of its cytotoxicity against various cancer cells. The chemical composition, pharmacological properties, and mechanisms of V. jatamansi have been extensively explored in various studies published between 2017 and 2023 on major databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI[Formula: see…
- Using herbal remedies in shelterby Anna Ganna P Megalinska on June 17, 2025 at 10:00 am
CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The use of the studied plants in a shelter phyto-aid kit contributes to a more comfortable and safe stay for people in the shelter.
References
Eadie, M. J. (2004). Could valerian have been the first anticonvulsant? Epilepsia, 45(11), 1338-1343. doi:10.1111/j.0013-9580.2004.27904.x
Gooneratne, N. S. (2008). Complementary and alternative medicine for sleep disturbances in older adults. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 24(1), 121-138, viii. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2007.08.002
Spinella, M. (2001). Herbal Medicines and Epilepsy: The Potential for Benefit and Adverse Effects. Epilepsy & Behavior, 2(6), 524-532. doi:10.1006/ebeh.2001.0281