W199 



VALERIANS 



Valeria'na spp. 



The valerians, also known in the West as tobacco root and some- 

 times improperly called sweet anise, belong to the relatively small 

 valerian family (Valerianaceae). A dozen or more species grow on 

 the western ranges. They are perennial herbs, with opposite, simple 

 or divided (compound) leaves, and fleshy strong-scented roots and 

 rootstocks. The valerians can be recognized by the characteristic 

 odor of their roots which, according to a certain old timer, smell 

 "like dirty feet." This comparison gives a vivid and accurate de- 

 scription of the odor. Cats and rats are said to be attracted to 

 valerian roots, which are used on occasion as rat bait. 



The name Valeriana is derived from the Latin (valere, to be 

 strong) and alludes to the medicinal virtues of some species, par- 

 ticularly of common valerian (F. o-ffLcinalit). a native of the Old 

 World, but now cultivated as a drug plant in Europe, New England, 

 and New York. The drug, valerian, a gentle stimulant, devoid 

 of narcotic effects, is extracted from the roots of common valerian. 

 It is used in the treatment of nervous disorders, and has been par- 

 ticularly recommended for hysteria and certain types of fever. 1 

 The roots of many native species of valerian are reputed to have 

 similar medicinal properties. The chief adulterants and substitutes 

 of commercial valerian are the rhizomes and roots of two Mexican 

 species, Toluca valerian (F. t&luccana) and Mexican valerian (F. 

 mexicana) , as well as of F. phu, the large garden valerian of south- 

 ern Europe and western Asia. 2 The latter species has a very sugges- 

 tive specific name, phu being the Grecian equivalent of our phooey, 

 which no doubt refers to the stench of the roots. 



The valerians grow in all the Western States, with the fewest 

 species in California. They ordinarily inhabit moist sites in parks, 

 woodlands, and rich, coniferous timberlands, mostly at moderate to 

 high elevations. Their palatability to livestock varies somewhat 

 for the respective species, and in different localities. On the aver- 

 age, however, the valerians are rated as poor to fair for cattle, 

 and fairly good to good for sheep. A few species, such as Scouler 

 valerian (F. scouleri) and western valerian (F. occidentalis) , rank 

 high in palatability for sheep and most of them are grazed with 

 relish by game animals. The valerians, however, rarely are abun- 

 dant and, therefore, are of only secondary importance in most ranges. 



A number of European valerians, as well as several North Ameri- 

 can species, are grown in gardens as ornamentals. Common valer- 

 ian, prized for the spicy fragrance of its numerous flowers in the 

 spring, is most widely used for this purpose, being one of the 

 characteristic plants of old gardens in the eastern United States and 

 the Old World. 



1 Wood, H. C., Remington, J. P., and Sadtler, S. P., assisted by Lyons, A. B., and Wood, 



H. C., Jr. THE DISPENSATORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BY DE. GEO. C. WOOD 



AND DR. FRANKLIN BACHE. Ed. 19, thoroughly rev. and largely rewritten . . . 1,947 pp. 

 Philadelphia and London. 1907. 



2 Youngken, H. W. A TEXT BOOK OF PHARMACOGNOSY. 538 pp., illus. Philadelphia. 

 1921. 



