mercury, and antimony. The juice also contains a portion of gum. The roots, deprived of this juice, yield 
a portion of black-coloured resin, but consist chiefly of woody fibre. Annales de Chimie, t. xx. p. 384. 
Medical Properties and Uses &c. — Valerian has long been esteemed an excellent remedy in 
various affections of the nervous system, especially in hysteria, chorea, and epilepsy; and when those dis- 
eases seem to depend rather on increased susceptibility than on organic derangement, it is frequently useful. 
Fabricius Columna first discovered its antispasmodic powers, having cured himself of epilepsy by the 
powdered root, when many other powerful medicines had failed. 
Dr. Scopoli relates the case of a young man who having become subject to epilepsy from fright, was 
shortly cured by the use of the valerian powder. M. Marchant has also related many cases of its success 
in the same disease. A fact supported by the testimony of others. It has been found extremely be- 
neficial in many cases of hysteria, and hemicrania, especially when combined with bark, or the volatile 
alkali; and conjoined with guaiacum, it is beneficially employed for strumous enlargement of glandular 
structures. Dr. Cullen strongly recommends the root of that which has grown in a dry calcareous soil for 
hysterical affections. Dr. Withering speaks of it as a useful remedy for habitual costiveness ; and, although 
its aperient qualities can no more be relied on than its diuretic, or anthelmintic ones, we consider it to be 
among the most powerful of the vegetable antispasmodics. The powder is the best mode of administration; 
and Lewis justly remarks that its taste is best covered by a suitable addition of mace. 
Dose. — When given in substance the dose may be from 9j to 3j twice or thrice in twenty-four hours : 
of the ammoniated tincture, which is a better preparation than the simple tincture made with proof spirit, 
the dose is from 3j to ^ij. 
Off. Prep. — Tinctura Valerianae. L. D. 
Tinctura Valerianae ammoniata. L. E. D. 
Extractum Valerianae. D. 
Infusum Valerianae. D. 
The odour of Valerian, says Professor Burnett, seems to be most peculiarly agreeable to cats, 
who will chew its roots, roll on it, and become for a time intoxicated under its influence. Rat-catchers are 
also said to use it as they do oil of anise, to draw their prey together ; for rats, like cats, appear to be spell- 
bound by its power. And although the odour is in general thought unpleasant by European nostrils, it is 
so much admired by Eastern nations, that some of the most esteemed Asiatic perfumes are composed of 
Valerian: and Valeriana Celtica , which is the Celtic spikenard, is often used to impregnate the waters of 
baths, and render them fragrant. Nardostachys (olim Valeriana ) Jatamansi is believed to be the true spike- 
nard of the ancients. 
“The red-flowered Valerian,” says the author of the “Sentiment of Flowers,’ 5 “has but recently been 
introduced into our gardens from the Alpine rocks, where it grows naturally. Its appearance is showy, but 
always disordered. In its cultivated state it still has the bearing of a rustic, which imparts to it somewhat 
of the air of a parvenu ; notwithstanding, this wild beauty owes its fortune to its merit. Its root is an ex- 
cellent remedy for those diseases which produce weakness; an infusion of it strengthens the sight, re-ani- 
mates the spirits, and drives away melancholy. It continues in flower nearly the whole year, and is much 
improved by cultivation, though it never disdains its wild origin, but often quits our borders to deck the 
sides of a barren hill, or to climb over old and ruined walls. The Valerians of our woods and our fields 
possess greater medicinal virtues and as much beauty as this emblem of an accommodating disposition ; but 
they are neglected by the florist because they yield not so gracefully to his training hand as that derived 
from the Alps. It is difficult to say whence it derives the name of Valerian ; Linnteus supposes it to be 
named after a certain king, Valerius, whilst De Theis thinks it altered from the verb valere on account 
of its medicinal qualities. 
Old Gerarde says of Valerian or Setwall, “the dry root as Dioscorides teacheth, helpeth the paine in 
the sides ; and is put into counterpoysons and medicines preseruative against the pestilence, as are treacles, 
mithridates, and such like : whereupon it hath been had (and is to this day among the poor people of our 
northerne parts) in such veneration amongst them, that no broths, pottage or physicall meats are worth any 
thing, if Setwall were not at an end: whereupon some woman Poet or other, hath made these verses: 
They that will have their heale, 
Must put setwall in their keale. 
It is used generally in sleight cuts, wounds, and small hurts. The extraction of the roots giuen, is a most 
singular medicine against the yellow jaundice.” 
The Red Valerian is the emblem of an accommodating disposition. 
