Valeriana officinalis.Valerian and Medical Attributes.Valerian Root Extract.

Narrative History and Ancient Register of Valerian.Valeriana officinalis.

Valerian Root Extract INCI Name Valeriana Officinalis Extract EINECS ELINCS No.232-501-7 CAS 8057-49-6 Valerienic acid 109-52-4 photo picture image "Men who begin to fight and when you wish to stop them, give to them the juice of Amantilla id est Valeriana and peace will be made immediately."

This mediaeval recipe illustrates that people have known and used Valerian for ages. These days it is also popular among traditional herbalists as the herb with a powerful soothing effect.

There exist different legends, explaining the name of the well-known plant. Some say it is named after Valerius, a man who was the first to use it in medicine; others derive it from the Latin word "valere", which means "to be strong" or "to be in health". Nowadays we are used to name it simply "Valerian", though, traditional names still remain in many countries: Great Wild Valerian, Amantilla, Setwall, All-Heal, Capon's tail, Phu.
Valerian Root Extract INCI Name Valeriana Officinalis Extract EINECS ELINCS No.232-501-7 CAS 8057-49-6 Valerienic acid 109-52-4 photo picture image

The Greek physicians, Galen and Dioscorides, aptly called the plant "phu" because of its distinctive and rather unpleasant smell resembling that of ancient leather or something akin to stale perspiration. The older botanical classification, V. phu, reflects this. The root is still added as a musky tone to perfumes. The plant was named in the 9th or 10th century, and the name is thought to have derived from the Latin verb valere meaning "to be happy."

For centuries, it was used for a variety of disorders, including epilepsy, which, in 1592, a cure of such was published by Fabius Calumna. Today, there is some evidence to support it as an anticonvulsant.

First mentioned in a medicinal context by Isaac Judaeus in the year 924 CE, it has since been highly regarded by herbalists as a nervine and sedative. Dioscorides and Gerard taught that it was an antidote for poisons, but it is as a treatment for nervous complaints that Valerian has become most noteworthy.

Since cats and dogs are attracted to the scent, it is said that the Pied Piper of Hamelin carried the root to lure the rats, and his music was just a decoy. In cats, it acts as a stimulant and can be substituted for catnip. In humans, it has the opposite effect and is a very popular remedy for insomnia.
It has long been valued by Nordic, Persian, and Chinese herbalists.
The variety, V. sylvatica, was used by Canadian Indian warriors as a wound antiseptic.

By the eighteenth century, European herbalists were using valerian for many kinds of nervous disorders. During the 1800s valerian was especially popular for treating "vapors" in women, with symptoms ranging from "waves of heat and cold" to fear and panic. The part of the plant used is the rhizome ("root"), which is generally harvested near the end of September when essential oil content is highest. The fresh root does not smell bad; the distinctive aroma develops as the root dries.

Valerian was used during the First and Second World Wars for treating shell shock and nervous stress.

Many tribes used the herb for treating nervous conditions and insomnia. The Blackfoot also used it to treat stomach problems, while several tribes, including the Thompsons of British Columbia and the Menominee, have used valerian root topically to treat cuts and wounds.
Valerian Root Extract INCI Name Valeriana Officinalis Extract EINECS ELINCS No.232-501-7 CAS 8057-49-6 Valerienic acid 109-52-4 photo picture image

Since ancient times Valerian was used as a medicinal herb, prescribed for insomnia, headaches, heart palpitations, gastro-intestinal disorders, epileptic seizures and hyperactivity. In the mediaeval times this herb was so highly praised that was even called "All-Heal" (this name remained till our days in some countries).
Besides medicine, Valerian was also used to aromatize baths, prepare soap and aromatic oils, and even broths or meats (Scotland).
However, in the 19th century the plant was for some reason considered to be a stimulant, not a sedative, and was thus used rarely.

These days the well-known and widely spread herb is treated as a food supplement by the official medicine, but the majority of people use it as a sedative for insomnia or other sleeping disorders, to smooth the nervous system, and to slow the heart rate. For all these reasons the dried roots of the plant are taken to prepare teas or tinctures. However, the capsules and tablets with the dried plant materials and extracts are also available.

As it often happens to the folk remedies, the scientists know too little about their power and need more research to make official conclusions. The same is the story of Valerian: specialists are still in the process of discovering its pros and contras.

Valium, the most widely prescribed antianxiety drug, is said to have taken its name from the same source and from the herb itself.

Reference:

1.Valeriana officinalis.Valerian and Medical Attributes.Valerian Root Extract.

last edit date:1st,Mar.2010.

Available Product

Name:Valerian Root Extract
Serie No:S-029.
Specifications:4:1 TLC,Valerienic acid 0.3%0.4%0.6%0.8%HPLC.
INCI Name:VALERIANA OFFICINALIS EXTRACT
EINECS/ELINCS No.:232-501-7
CAS:8057-49-6.Valerienic acid.109-52-4.
Chem/IUPAC Name:Valeriana Officinalis Extract is an extract of the rhizome and roots of the valerian,Valeriana officinalis,Valerianaceae

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