VALERIAN
Common valerian is a perennial plant, about 2-4 feet high, which has escaped from cultivation to inhabit roadsides and thickets from New England south to New Jersey and west to Ohio. Valerian is also very common all over Europe. The yellow-brown, tuberous rootstock produces a hollow, angular, furrowed stem with deeply dissected leaves each bearing 7-10 pairs of lance-shaped leaflets. The resulting smell of the dried, powdered rootstock is reminiscent of dirty socks or unwashed underwear. Various constituents within the root account for the peculiar smell and the strong sedative properties. The butyl isovalerate present has been used in a synthetic, fermented egg product to attract coyotes and repel deer, while eremophilene has also been detected in ripe African mangoes. The valepotriates exert strong tranquilizing actions on the central nervous system. German health authorities have indicated that valerian is an effective treatment for restlessness and for sleep disturbances resulting from nervous conditions. Ten controlled clinical studies have been conducted on various valerian preparations, including freeze-dried aqueous extracts, ethanol extracts, and other forms. Two studies involved only one test dose prior to evaluation. A recent German study showed no effects over the short term, but after twenty-eight days of treatment, valerian was shown to be better than a placebo in inducing sleep. This suggests that valerian root preparations may not be suitable for acute insomnia. More studies must be conducted to resolve differences in results with previous research. Valerian is perhaps best characterized as a minor tranquilizer. Valerian may be administered in the form of a tea, a tincture (hydroalcoholic solution), an extract, capsules, or tablets. Valerian is also added to bath water for external application. No significant side effects or contraindications are noted, although rare reports of gastrointestinal complaints or headache have been reported. PARTS USED Root and rhizome. USES Historical uses - Known as "all-heal" in the Middle Ages, valerian was credited with many virtues -in particular with healing epilepsy. In 1592, Fabius Calumna published a detailed work on herbal medicine in which he claimed to have cured his epilepsy with the herb. Stress-related disorders - Valerian reduces mental over activity and nervous excitability, helping people who find it hard to "switch off." Valerian is beneficial for almost any stress-related condition, and, in general, has a calming, rather than directly sedative, effect on the mind. Anxiety & insomnia - Many symptoms of anxiety, including tremors, panic, palpitations, and sweating, can be relieved with valerian. Valerian is a useful remedy for insomnia, whether caused by anxiety or overexcitement. Effective relaxant - Valerian relaxes over contracted muscles, and is helpful for shoulder and neck tension, asthma, colic, irritable bowel syndrome, muscle spasms, and menstrual pain.High blood pressure - Valerian is used with other herbs in remedies for high blood pressure caused by stress and anxiety. Other medical uses - Phobia, Temporomandibular joint syndrome or disorder / TMJ (TMD), Urinary incontinence.
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