Valerian (plant)
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{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Valerian (plant) | image = Valeriana officinalis.jpg | image_width = 250px | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Dipsacales | familia = Valerianaceae | genus = Valeriana | species = V. officinalis | binomial = Valeriana officinalis | binomial_authority = L. & Maillefer }}
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers. Note that this "sweet" smell is quite overpowering when the flower is placed into a vase (the family name, Valerianaceae, comes from the Latin word valere, meaning "to be strong/potent", referring to the odor).
Other names used for this plant include garden valerian (to distinguish it from other Valeriana species), garden heliotrope (although not related to Heliotrope, Heliotropum) and all-heal.
Valerian is consumed as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Grey Pug.
Valerian has uses in herbal medicine as a sedative. It has in the past been recommended for epilepsy but that has not been supported by modern research. The main current use of valerian is as a remedy for insomnia. Large doses are known to cause withdrawal symptoms when stopped, as it is mildly addictive. Those with liver disease are advised not to use valerian. Valerian is the source of valeric acid.
The volatile oils that form the active ingredient are extremely pungent, somewhat reminiscent of well-matured cheese or well-matured milk. Valerian tea should not be prepared with boiling water, as this may drive off the lighter oils.
An unusual feature of valerian is that the dried root affects the domestic cat in a similar way as that of catnip. If valerian root is left in a place to which cats have access, they will roll in it, drool on it, and chew it. Burmese cats are attracted to the dried herb and will deliberately destroy containers to obtain it. However, some cats won't go near valerian root.
Rats are also attracted to valerian.
It should be noted that Valium neither contains, nor is derived from valerian. [1]
External links
Image:Valeriana officinalis1.jpg
cs:Kozlík lékařský de:Echter Baldrian es:Valeriana officinalis eo:Valeriano fr:Valériane officinale it:Valeriana officinalis lv:Ārstnieciskais baldriāns nl:Echte valeriaan no:Legevendelrot pl:Kozłek lekarski sv:Läkevänderot uk:Валеріана лікарська