Valeriana. Valerian. The root of Valeriana officinalis, dried; Lin. Syst., Triandria monogynia; indigenous and cultivated; the wild plant growing on dry soils is to be preferred.

Description. As met with, it consists of a short rhizome, with numerous radicles two or three inches long; of a light yellowish brown colour, a strong characteristic and disagreeable odour, and a bitter, acrid, camphoraceous, and nauseous taste.

Prop. & Comp. Valerian root owes its activity to a volatile oil and valerianic acid; resinous, extractive, and gummy matters are also present. The volatile oil of valerian, sp. gr. 0.94, has a light greenish colour, and the odour of valerian; it consists of valerole, and a hydrocarbon, borneene.

Valerole (Cl2 H10 O2) is a crystalline body at a low temperature; it forms a blood-red solution with sulphuric acid, and when exposed to the air, gradually absorbs oxygen, acquires a peculiar strong odour, and is converted into valerianic acid.

Borneene is a hydrocarbon identical with that found in Borneo camphor (C20 H16).

Valerianic acid (HO, C10 H9 O8) can be procured in small quantities from valerian root by distillation with very dilute sulphuric acid; it is an oily liquid, sp. gr. 0.9, with the intense odour of valerian; it forms salts with the metallic bases, most of which are crystalline. This acid can also be formed, and much more economically, by the oxidation of Fousel oil or amylic alcohol.

Off. Prep. - Of Valerian. Infusum Valerianae. Infusion of Valerian. (Valerian, bruised, one hundred and twenty grains; boiling distilled water, ten fluid ounces.) [Valerian in moderately coarse powder, half a troy ounce. Prepared by percolating with cold water until the filtered liquid measures a pint; or by macerating the valerian with a pint of boiling water for two hours and straining. U. S.]

Tinctura Valerianae. Tincture of Valerian. (Valerian, bruised, two ounces and a half; proof spirit, twenty fluid ounces. Prepared by maceration and percolation.) [Two pints of tincture are prepared by percolating four ounces of valerian with diluted alcohol. U. S.]

Tinctura Valerianae Ammoniata. Ammoniated Tincture of Valerian. (Valerian, bruised, two ounces and a half; aromatic spirit of ammonia, twenty fluid ounces. Prepared by maceration.) [Valerian in moderately fine powder, four troy ounces; aromatic spirits of ammonia, two pints. Prepared by maceration. U. S.]

Therapeutics. Valerian acts as a stimulant, and powerful antispasmodic, and is peculiarly adapted for the treatment of the various symptoms occurring in hysterical subjects, as spasm hemicrania, globus, palpitation, etc.; it has also been found useful in some cases of chorea, epilepsy, hypochondriasis, and, as an adjunct to tonics, in intermittents.

Dose. Of valerian in powder, 15 gr. to 30 gr.; of infusum valerians, 1 fl. oz. to 2 fl. oz.; of tinctura Valerianae, 1 fl. drm. to 2 fl. drm.; of tinctura Valerianae ammoniata, 1/2 fl. drm. to 1 1/2 fl. drm.