Valeriana, Valerian

Baldrain; Phu (Classical name)
Tagar (Indian Valerian, Ayurveda)
Asaroon (Indian Valerian, Unani)
Xie Cao (TCM)
 Picture
Picture Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Picture New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

 Picture Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Picture Flora von Deutschland (28), Kohler, 1886

Picture VALERIAN ROOT
1. Stem scar of valerian and folded roots. 2. Double band of grass. 3. Mass of roots.
4. Split rhizome and the large roots of Belgian valerian
Squibb’s Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919

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Botanical name:


Valeriana officinalis
Great Garden Valerian was called Phu magnum, the Wild, Phu parvum
It is known in TCM, but is not commonly used.

Parts used:


Root

Temperature & Taste:


Very Warm, dry. Pungent, aromatic

Classifications:


2A APERIENT.    2H. CARMINATIVE.    2I. ANTISPASMODIC
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC.    3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS.    3E. DIURETIC.    3G. EMMENAGOGUE
4b. OPTHALMIC.    4f. SPLENETIC.    4i. UTERINE

Uses:


1. Moves the Qi, Settles Wind and Spasms, Calms the Mind and Spirit (West, TCM, Ayurveda):
-“excellent against nervous affections such as Headaches, Trembling, Palpitations, Vapours, and Hysteric complaints”. (Culpeper)
-Migraine, Delirium Tremens, Vertigo, Epilepsy, Neuralgia, Convulsions
-Neurasthenia, Apprehension, Insomnia, Anxiety, cramps etc.

2. Moves the Qi and Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
–irregular and painful menstruation, Hysteria (since Dioscorides)
-excellent for hysteria or nervous disorders related to Menopause.

3. Moves the Qi, Promotes Digestion:
-it may be used as a carminative in Colic and Griping.
-Cold and Damp from the Stomach, promotes appetite
-stomach pain from Cold and Qi stagnation (TCM)

4. Warms the Kidneys, Clears Wind and Damp, Promotes Urine:
-difficult, painful urination (since Dioscorides)
-“strengthens the bladder and kidneys, facilitates urination”. (Avicenna)
-Sciatica, Hip pain (Avicenna)

5. Moves the Qi and Blood, Benefits the Heart:
-Arrhythmia’s, Angina Pectoris and Hypertension associated with nervousness and anxiety.
-‘Comforts the Heart’; Tachycardia that happens just before sleep; Palpitations with Insomnia

6. Clears Wind, Resists Poison:
-‘put into counter-poisons and medicines preservative against the Pestilence’ (Gerard; since Dioscorides)
-both a preventative and treatment for Epidemic disease
-similarly in TCM, especially to prevent and treat Influenza.

7. Externally:
-“It is used generally in slight Cuts, Wounds, and small Hurts”
-used also for Bruising and pain from Trauma
-used to draw out Thorns, Splinters etc. from the flesh.
-the oil is used topically for Neuralgia and Paralysis.
-the powdered root used as a snuff for weak Eyes.
-opacity of the Cornea (Avicenna)


Dose:


POWDER: 1–3 grams;
DECOCTION: 3–9 grams;

Substitutes:


 … available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Wind diseases of the Head:
i. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
ii. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
iii. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
iv. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
2. Nervousness, Nervous agitation:
i. Valerian with Balm
ii. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
3. Epilepsy:
i. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
ii. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
4. Nervous Heart disorders:
i. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
ii. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
5. Hypertension, Valerian with  … available in PRO version
6. Insomnia, Valerian with  … available in PRO version
7. For Qi stagnation of the Uterus, cramping, pain, amenorrhea and PMS, Valerian with  … available in PRO version
8. Promote Menstruation:
i. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
ii. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
iii. Valerian with  … available in PRO version
9. For Hysteria, Valerian   … available in PRO version
10. Exhaustion and Stomach pain, Valerian with  … available in PRO version
11. Spasmodic Cough, Valerian with  … available in PRO version
12. Scrofula, Valerian with  … available in PRO version
13. Hernia, Valerian with  … available in PRO version
14. Gastropathy, Valerian with  … available in PRO version
15. Edema, Valerian with  … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Cephalic Decoction (Charras)
Emmenagogue Decoction (Riverius)
Emmenagogue Syrup
Syrup of Mugwort (Augustana)
Wine for Edema
Powder for Epilepsy (Bicker)
Powder for Epilepsy (Lewis)
Special Powder for Memory (Wirtzung)
Powder for Hernia (Banister)
Troches of Coral (Diacorallium) (Nicholas)
Electuary for the Head (Lewis)
Athanasia Minor Nicholas
Athanasia Greater Nicholas
Pills of Seeds (Unani)

Cautions:


1. Generally not suitable for Wind-Heat affecting the Head, or Insomnia caused by Wind-Heat. It is most used for Wind with Cold-Damp-Phlegm and Qi stagnation affecting the Mind, Brain and Nerves.

Main Preparations used:


Distilled Water of the whole herb, Extract of the whole plant, Tincture of Valerian