is also the chemical factor responsible for the sedative effect of the herb. Most commercial extracts in Western herbal are water-soluble extracts standardized for valerenic acids.
Large doses ofvalepotriates from the herb decreased benzodiazepines and diazepam withdrawl symptoms in rats. At low doses valerian enhances binding of flunitrazepam, but at high doses it inhibits binding of the drug. Valerenic acid inhibits breakdown of GABA, and hydroxypinoresinol binds to benzodiazepine receptor. (Sharon M. Herr.)
The safety of valepotriates has been questioned.
Currently valerian is an approved over-the-counter medicine in Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy. (The British Herbal Compendium.)
See Valeriana dubia Bunge, syn. V officinalis auct. non Linn., known as Common Valerian.
Valeriana pyrolaefolia Decne. Family Valerianaceae.
Habitat The temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan.
Ayurvedic Dhyaamaka (including among aromatic drugs of Jatamansi group.)
Folk Sugandhabaalaa.
Action Used as Vjatamansi.
694 Valeriana wallichii DC.
Valeriana wallichii DC.
Synonym Vjatamansi Jones.
Nardostachysjatamansi (Jones) DC.
Family Valerianaceae.
Habitat Temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan, above 3,000 m, and Khasia Hills.
English Indian Valerian.
Ayurvedic Tagara, Sugandhabaalaa,
Kaalaanusaari, Kaalaanusaarikaa,
Nata. (Deiphinum brunonianum
Royle, Ranunculaceae, syn. Kutila,
Nata, Vakra, is also used as Tagara.) Unani Asaarun, Tagar Reshewaalaa. Siddha Tagarai.
Folk Taggar, Baalaka, Mushkbaalaa, Asaarun, Tagar-ganthodaa.
Action Rhizomes and roots— used as a substitute for Valeriana officinalis; prescribed as a remedy for hysteria, nervous unrest and emotional troubles, and as a sedative.
Rhizomes and roots contain cy clopentapyrans acacetin-7-O -rutino sides valtrate, didrovaltrate, unarm
