Valerian herb

[Guest guest]

Valerian is effective for sleeping troubles. I have used this many

times, I like the powder form and make them into capsules.

Valerian

http://www.natural-medicinal-herbs.com/herbs/valerian.htm

Uses of Valerian

Valerian has been used for the treatment of restlessness and sleep

disorders, Valerian is classified as generally recognized as safe

(GRAS) in the US for food use. Extracts and the root oil are used as

flavoring in foods and beverages.

Valerian is primarily used for the treatment of occasional insomnia.

It appears to be more effective than other herbs for insomnia, such

as skullcap, hops, and passionflower, but less effective than

pharmaceutical drugs for insomnia.

SCIENTIFIC NAME(S): Valeriana officinalis L. Family: Valerianaceae. A

number of other species have been used medicinally, including V.

wallichi DC, V.sambucifolia Mik., and the related Centranthus ruber

L.

COMMON NAME(S): Valerian, baldrian, radix valerianae, Indian valerian

(V, wallichii), red valerian (c. ruber)

Valerian was first recommended for insomnia by Galen. In the

sixteenth century, valerian became popular as a sedative in Europe,

and its popularity spread to the United States.

In the 1970's, researchers began to study the scientific properties

of valerian and its effects in humans, leading to its approval as a

sleep remedy by Germany's Commission E in 1985.

Valerian is believed to affect GABA, an amino acid involved in states

of anxiety, by binding to GABA receptors in the brain. This is how

tranquilizers in the Valium family work.

The root of the valerian plant contains a mix of compounds that are

thought to induce the sedation, including valepotriates, valeric acid

and volatile oils.

History

Despite its odor, valerian was considered a perfume in 16th century

Europe. The tincture has been used for its sedative properties for

centuries; It is still widely used in France, Germany, and

Switzerland as a sleep aid. About 50 tons of valerian are sold each

year in France.

Botany :- Members of the genus Valeriana are herbaceous perennials

widely distributed in the temperate regions of North America,Europe,

and Asia. Of the 200 known species, the Eurasian V. officinalis is

the species most often , cultivated for medicinal use. The dried

rhizome contains a volatile oil with a distinctive, unpleasant

odor.The fresh drug has no appreciable smell, but drying liberates

the odiferous constituent isovaleric acid.

Side Effects of Valerian

Studies have generally found valerian to have fewer side effects than

other positive control drugs.

Dosage

For insomnia , some doctors suggest 300-500 mg of a concentrated

valerian root herbal extract (standardized to at least 0.5% volatile

oils) in capsules or tablets 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. Non-

standardized dried root products, 1.5 to 2 grams 30 to 60 minutes

before bedtime, may also be used. As an alcohol-based tincture, 5 ml

can be taken before bedtime. Combination products with lemon balm ,

hops , passion flower , and scullcap can also be used.

Toxicology

Concern was raised over the discovery that valepotriates are

mutagenic in the Ames assay; their poor bio-availability makes them a

dubious source of toxicity for patients.

Clinical studies have generally found valerian to have fewer side

effects than positive control drugs such as diazepam, producing

little hangover effect when used as a sleep aid. An intentional

overdose has been reported in which 20 times the recommended dose was

ingested; the patient experienced mild symptoms that resolved within

24 hours. A case of withdrawal after chronic use of valerian has been

reported; however, the complex nature of the patient's medical

history provides weak support for valerian's role.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_(herb)

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) is a hardy perennial

flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers.

This " sweet " smell is quite overpowering when the flower is placed

into a vase. The flowers are in bloom from June to September.

Valerian was used as a perfume in the sixteenth century.

Native to Europe and parts of Asia, Valerian has been introduced into

North America. It is consumed as food by the larvae of some

Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species including Grey Pug.

Other names used for this plant include garden valerian (to

distinguish it from other Valeriana species), garden heliotrope

(although not related to Heliotropium) and all-heal.

Valerian, in Pharmacology and Phytotherapic Medicine, is the name of

a herb or dietary supplement prepared from roots of the plant, which,

after maceration, trituration, dehydration processes, are

conveniently packaged, usually into capsules, that may be utilized

for certain effects including sedation and anxiolytic effect.

The amino acid Valine is named after this plant.

History

Dried valerian growing under Goðafoss in Iceland in November,

2007Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the

time of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates described its

properties, and Galen later prescribed it as a remedy for insomnia.

Etymology

The name Valerian comes from the Latin word valere, meaning " to be

strong or healthy " , generally thought to refer to its medicinal use,

though many references suggest that it also refers to the strong odor.

Preparation

Valeriana officinalisThe chief constituent of Valerian is a yellowish-

green to brownish-yellow oil which is present in the dried root

varying from 0.5 to 2 per cent though an average yield rarely exceeds

0.8 per cent. This variation in quantity is partly explained by

location: a dry, stony soil, yielding a root richer in oil than one

that is moist and fertile.[4] The volatile oils that form the active

ingredient are extremely pungent, somewhat reminiscent of well-

matured cheese or wet dog. Valerian tea should not be prepared with

boiling water, as this may drive off the lighter oils.

Medicinal use

Valerian is used for insomnia and other disorders.[5][6][7]

In the United States Valerian is sold as a nutritional supplement.

Therapeutic use has increased as dietary supplements have gained in

popularity, especially after the Dietary Supplement Health and

Education Act was passed in 1994. This law allowed the distribution

of many agents as over-the-counter supplements, and therefore allowed

them to bypass the regulatory requirements of the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA).

Valerian is used against sleeping disorders, restlessness and

anxiety, and as a muscle relaxant. Valerian seems only to work when

taken over longer periods (several weeks), though many users find

that it takes effect immediately. Some studies have demonstrated that

valerian extracts interact with the GABA and benzodiazepine

receptors. Valerian is also used traditionally to treat

gastrointestinal pain and irritable bowel syndrome. Long term safety

studies are missing. As valepotriates may be potential mutagens

[citation needed], valerian should only be used after consultation

with a physician.

Valerian medication is sometimes recommended as a first line when

benefit-risk analysis dictates. Valerian is often indicated as

transition medication during discontinuation processes involving

bromazepan, clonazepam and diazepam, among others.

Valerian has uses in herbal medicine as a sedative. The main current

use of valerian is as a remedy for insomnia, with a recent meta-

analysis providing some evidence of effectiveness.[8] It has been

recommended for epilepsy but that is not supported by research

(although its analogue valproic acid is used as an anticonvulsant and

mood-stabilizing drug). Valerian root generally does not lose

effectiveness over time.

While shown to be an effective remedy for the reduction of anxiety,

it has also been reported to cause headaches and night terrors in

some individuals. This may be due to the fact that some people lack a

digestive conversion property necessary to effectively break down

Valerian. In these individuals, Valerian can cause agitation.[9] One

study found that valerian tends to sedate the agitated person and

stimulate the fatigued person, bringing about a balancing effect on

the system.