Valerianopsis
Valeriana · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (35 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Valeriana, scientifically known as Valeriana, is a cherished medicinal herb renowned for its potent calming properties. Long utilized in traditional medicine, its roots contain essential compounds that effectively alleviate anxiety, promote restful sleep, and reduce stress. This versatile botanical serves as a natural remedy for restoring harmony and tranquility.
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Rhizome · Root
- Common names
- Valerian · Valerians
- Scientific synonyms
- Oligacoce · Phuodendron · 27 more
Names
Common Names
- Valerian
- valerians
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- valerianas
German:
- Baldriane
- Baldrian
- Katzenkraut
- Baldrian
- Baldriane
French:
- Valériane
- Valérianes
- Valériane
Scientific Names
Accepted name
ValerianaSynonyms
- Oligacoce
- Phuodendron
- Dufresnia
- Phu
- Valerianopsis
- Pseudobetckea
- Phyllactis
- Porteria
- Siphonella
- Ocymastrum
- Monastes
- Mitrophora
- Amblyorhinum
- Masema
- Hemesotria
- Hybidium
- Fuisa
- Fedia
- Aretiastrum
- Centranthus
- Aligera
- Locusta
- Belonanthus
- Odontocarpa
- Astrephia
- Stangea
- Saliunca
- Plectritis
- Betckea
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Dipsacales, it is classified under the family Caprifoliaceae. Finally, the specific taxonomic designation for this medicinal species is 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 widely distributed across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. Additionally, its presence is documented within the territories of Finland. The species also inhabits the coastal and inland areas of Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range extends to the islands of Iceland and Ireland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Valerian, derives its primary medicinal properties from its underground structures. The most therapeutically active components are found within the roots and the fleshy rhizomes, which are harvested and dried for use in various herbal preparations. These parts of the plant contain the essential volatile oils and valerenic acids responsible for its calming and sedative effects.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| rhizome | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Valeriana has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Baldrinal, Catalpol, Didrovaltratum, Dihydrovaltrate, Flavonoids.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Baldrinal | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Catalpol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Didrovaltratum | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dihydrovaltrate | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Homobaldrinal | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lignans | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Loganin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MAGNESIUM | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MANGANESE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Baldrinal
- Mutation research
Catalpol
- Electrophoresis
Didrovaltratum
- Journal of chromatography
Dihydrovaltrate
- Mutation research
Flavonoids
- Frontiers in pharmacology
Homobaldrinal
- Mutation research
Lignans
- Frontiers in pharmacology
Loganin
- Electrophoresis
MAGNESIUM
- Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
MANGANESE
- Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
Activities
Valeriana has 14 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antispasmodic, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anticonvulsant, Antidepressant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antispasmodic | Archives internationales de pharmacodynamie et de therapie (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiepileptic | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Valeriana has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, inflammation, insomnia, pain, tumors.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| diarrhea | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insomnia | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumors | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| extracts | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Valeriana crude extracts | Journal of chromatography (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| commercial Valeriana preparations | Journal of chromatography (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |