212 
VALERIANA OFFICINALIS* 
Medical Properties and Uses. Valerian has been long 
esteemed as a medicine of considerable efficacy ; by Dioscorides and 
Galen it is mentioned as an aromatic and diuretic. It has. however, 
been chie6y valued for its good effects in nervous diseases, particu- 
larly in epilepsy. Its powers as an antispasmodic was first dis- 
covered by Fabricius Columna, who cured himself of epilepsy by 
the roots of this plant ; and its efficacy in this and other spasmodic 
diseases, is supported by the testimony of Haller, Sylvius, Marchant, 
Sauvages, and others. Dr. CuUen says, its power as an antispas- 
modic, is very well established ; it has likewise been given with 
advantage in hysteria, hemi-crania, &c., and also in intermittents, 
combined with cinchona; and we are told by Dr. A. T. Thomson, 
that he found it exceedingly serviceable in hypochondriasis. 
In nervous disorders, proceeding from debility, and in hysterical 
complaints, it is particularly useful ; it is sometimes given to 
procure sleep in fevers, when opium fails. As the virtues of valerian 
depend entirely on the volatile oil it contains, it never should be exhi- 
bited either in the form of extract or decoction. The root when 
carefully dried and powdered, is the most efficacious preparation, 
and may be administered in doses of from one scruple to one 
drachm, to which may be added a few grains of mace,* two or three 
times, or oftener in twenty-four hours. The dose of the spirituous 
and ammoniated tinctures is from 5i to sij 
Off. The Root. 
Off. Pp. Extractum Valerians, D. 
Infusum Valerianae, D. 
Tinctura Valerianaj, L. D. 
' — Valerianae Ammoniata, L. E.D. 
■ ■ ) 1 ■ ' ■ : ' . ' . . 
* Mace is generallj considered the best corrector of the unpleasaut flavour of 
valerian. 
