The plant contains constituents called valepotriates, isovaltrates, and isovaleric acids known collectively as Valerenic Acids.

Root

1.) Specific Medication and Specific Medicines. John M. Scudder, MD 1870. 2.) King’s American Dispensatory by Harvey Wickes Felter, MD and John Uri Lloyd, Phr.M. Ph.D. 1898. 3.) The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy by Finley Ellingwood MD; 1922. 4.) Native American Ethnobotany, Moerman DE, Portalnd, OR 1998. Timber Press. 5.) Leathwood PD, Chauffard F, Heck E, Munoz-Box R. Aqueous extract of valerian root improves sleep qualities in man. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 1982 Jul; 17(1) 65-71. 6.) Han, Z. Z., Yan, Z. H., Liu, Q. X., Hu, X. Q., Ye, J., Li, H. L., and Zhang, W. D. Acylated iridoids from the roots of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia. Planta Med 2012;78(15):1645-1650. 7.) Fernandez S, Wasowski C, Paladini AC, Marder M. Sedative and sleep-enhancing properties of linarin, a flavonoid-isolated from Valeriana officinalis. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2004;77:399-404.

Not for use during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior to use. There is a small percentage of people who respond paradoxically with valerian and it causes stimulation rather than sedation.

This information in our Herbal Reference Guide is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.