VALERIANIC ACID, AND THE VALERIANATES. 127 
others amorphous. They vary in their solubility in water, 
but most of them dissolve in alcohol. By the stronger acids 
they are decomposed, the valeric acid separating as a per- 
hydrate. 
Some have thought that this acid constitutes the active 
principle of valerian. Others, with a greater show of reason, 
consider it to be formed by the oxidation of valerol, the 
least volatile of the two oils found in the root. If so it is 
a product, not an educt. 
Physiological action .—Valerian is stated to excite the cere- 
bro-spinal system, and as its influence has been observed to be 
marked over morbid states of the system, it has been desig¬ 
nated a nervino-alterative. It is well known to have a pe¬ 
culiar effect upon cats, Avhich manifest a great fondness for it, 
and these becoming, it is supposed, intoxicated by it, they roll 
themselves over it in playfulness, accompanied with some 
degree of excitement. Besides being a nervous excitant, it 
is also an antispasmodic. 
The use of this root has met with many supporters and 
many opponents. In Germany it appears to be more es¬ 
teemed than in this country, its action here being considered 
very variable. It has been given in cases of epilepsy, chorea , 
and other spasmodic affections, with occasional success. Its 
forms, as recommended for the human subject, are the infu¬ 
sion, the tincture, the compound tincture, which is perhaps 
the best, and the extract of valerian. 
It having been considered that the acid before adverted to 
was the active principle of this drug, an opinion now ues- 
tioned, and as it was found to be capable of uniting with 
metallic oxides, so it was thought that the compounds thus 
obtained would necessarily possess properties like their con¬ 
stituents. 
Among the salts employed are the valerianates of zinc 
and of iron, both being procured from the valerianate of 
soda. 
The first of these was introduced into medicine by Prince 
Louis Lucien Bonaparte; and as there is much fashion in 
physic, so from its having had a noble advocate it became, 
and still is, largely used. Its action is supposed to be like 
that of valerian and zinc combined. It is therefore an anti¬ 
spasmodic and tonic, and is resorted to for neuralgic af¬ 
fections. It has also been applied as an astringent and 
sedative, in the form of lotion, in cases of chronic conjunc¬ 
tivitis. 
Pereira says, it is an anhydrous salt, crystallizing in 
snow-white, pearly plates; has a faint odour of valerianic 
