146 YALERIANA OFFICINALIS 



valerian as obtained from the dried root is a mixture of about 5 

 per cent, of valerianic acid, 25 per cent, of valerene or borneene, 

 which very much resembles oil of turpentine, and the remainder 

 consists of various oxygenated compounds. A difference of 

 opinion exists amongst chemists as to whether the volatile oil 

 exists ready formed in the living root, or whether it is produced 

 by a reaction similar to that which takes place in the production 

 of the volatile oil of bitter almonds. It is certain, however, that 

 valerianic acid and the various resinoid products contained in 

 the oil are the results of oxidation. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Valerian is a stimulant, anti- 

 spasmodic, and nervine tonic, but as an antispasmodic it is much 

 inferior to assafcetida. In excessive doses it causes headache, 

 mental excitement, and various other effects indicating derange- 

 ments of the nervous system. Large doses also frequently cause 

 nausea. It has been used with much advantage in hysteria and 

 in hysterical affections generally. It has also been much 

 employed in epilepsy, chorea, and hypochondriasis, but with 

 very varying results. In some cases it has been found useful 

 when combined with cinchona bark or other tonics, in inter- 

 mittents. Baths of valerian have also been found of value 

 in acute rheumatism. In Germany, and some other parts of the 

 continent, it is esteemed as a stimulant in the low forms of fever, 

 but in this country it has been but little employed in such 

 cases. As the virtues of valerian essentially reside in the 

 volatile oil, this is a good form of administration. Yalerianic acid 

 has also been occasionally prescribed, but with no very definite 

 results ; indeed, Dr. John Harley says that in doses of " two 

 drachms or more, it appears to have the same action as so much 

 acetic acid, causing gastric irritation, nausea, and colicky pains, 

 followed by slight exhilaration." But some of its salts, more 

 especially that of valerianate of zinc, have been certainly adminis- 

 tered with advantage in hysteria, chorea, epilepsy, &c. 



Per. Mat. Med., by B. & R., p. 698 ; Pharmacographia, p. 337 ; 

 U. S. Disp., by W. & B , pp. 881 and 981 ; Garr., Mat. Med., 



