Valeriana italica
Valeriana italicica, commonly known as Valerian, is a perennial herb cherished for centuries in traditional medicine. Renowned for its potent sedative and anxiolytic properties, it is primarily utilized to alleviate insomnia, reduce anxiety, and soothe nervous tension. This aromatic plant remains a cornerstone in natural herbal pharmacology today.
- Scientific name: Valeriana italica
- Family: Caprifoliaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized into the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Dipsacales, falling under the family Caprifoliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed within the genus Valeriana.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Dipsacales | WCVP |
| Family | Caprifoliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Valeriana | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed throughout the southeastern regions of Europe. Its presence is well-documented across the Balkan Peninsula, specifically in Albania and Bulgaria. It can also be found extensively throughout Greece, including the island of Kriti. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the European portion of Türkiye. These specific locations highlight its regional prevalence within the Mediterranean and southeastern European landscapes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Türkiye-in-Europe | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | NW. Balkan Pen. | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Cyprus | WCVP |
| Western Asia | East Aegean Is. | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Lebanon-Syria | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Palestine | WCVP |
Activities
Valeriana italica has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiproliferative.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |