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Valeriana Officinalis Monograph Active Constituents Mechanisms of Action

Description Valerian is the common name for over 250 worldwide plant species of the genus Valeriana (Valerianaceae). Although all of the species’ roots contain similar medicinal constituents and qualities, in the West Valeriana officinalis is almost exclusively the valerian species found in preparations. Valerian was used in both ancient Greece and China, as noted by Dioscorides, Galen, and in early Chinese medicine texts. Valerian was acknowledged as a sleep aid and anxiolytic in the U.S. National Formulary until the 1940’s, after which it fell into disuse as more potent pharmacological agents became available. Currently, valerian is employed as a sleep aid or sedative and as a gastrointestinal spasmolytic. Less common applications include muscular and uterine cramping, nervous headache, and as a gastrointestinal carminative. Historically, patients that have responded best to valerian include those presenting with lack of adequate exercise and/or mental relaxation who manifest stress associated with despondency and mental depression.