From: editor@chinet.chinet.com (Alex Zell) Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs Subject: Re: Valerian Root Message-ID:Date: 10 Jun 93 20:52:02 GMT In article deane@netcom.com (Dean Edwards) writes: >I am an avid advocate of the tremedous values of valerian. It can actually ---- Years ago, in the 1930s, Tincture of Valerian was often prescribed (and sold OTC) for relief of menstrual cramps. Couple of drops on a lump of sugar, prn. Another use of the substance was in stink bombs by New York gangsters who preyed on theaters and restaurants. Sale of Valerian was restricted for a long time as a result. ---- Pictou Island, NS -- Alex Zell editor@chinet.chinet.com Pictou Island, NS ============================================================================= From: e Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs Subject: Re: Valerian Root Date: 11 Jun 1993 22:46:33 In <1993Jun11.195820.2735@oz.plymouth.edu> j_robert@oz.plymouth.edu (Sparrowwood Oakmage) writes: > Has anyone tried -smoking- this stuff? I put some on my >incense burner and was amazed at how tired I ended up feeling.. Smoking Valerian shouldn't work. The psychoactive effects come from alkaloids present in the plant's essential oils, which are volatile -- they evaporate at relatively low temperatures. I haven't tried it though myself. I do know that if you attempt to make Valerian tea with boiling water, you will evaporate the oils leaving you with a really horrible tasting and foul smelling hardly psychoactive cup of gunk! The smell has often been compared to dirty feet, but that's doing an injustice to the dirty feet of this world. Valerian tea requires water at a lower temp. Better yet, junk it and buy yourself some extract. On the other hand, I have smoking scullcap has always given my a nice buzz. I try not to smoke too much. If you're going to hack herbals, you should definitely get your hands on some manuals. They deserve at least as much work as Unix. -- E ============================================================================= Date: Mon, 21 Mar 1994 16:25:20 -0500 (EST) From: trent Subject: Valerian Root Update Sender: Drug Abuse Education Information and Research Message-id: <01HA8HNLJVLO8X0IR0@ymir.claremont.edu> Pharm D student Yung Chi has thumbed through the literature on Valeri= an root and Valerian Root Tea. She wishes to post the following review: Valerian Root Tea in Review > Is the valerian root a psychoactive substance? How does it >act on the body? Are there adverse reactions? Valerian is the common name given to genus Valeriana, herbaceous perennial plants widely distributed in the temperate regions of North America, Europe and Asia(1) The evaluation of a commercially available valerian root extract revealed pronounced sedative properties in the mouse with respect to a reduction in motility and an increase in the thiopental sleeping-time(2) A direct comparison of the psychotropic effects with diazepam and chlorpromazine revealed a moderate sedative activity for the tested extract. The extract showed only weak anticonvulsive properties(diazepam/valium is a benzodiazepine used for sedation, treatment of seizures, and many other purposes.)(2) Valerian extract and imipramine both significantly inhibited forced swimming test in rats, and did not increase spontaneous motor activity just before the forced swimming test(imipramine/tofranil is an antidepressant).(1) In addition, both valerian extract and imipramine significantly reversed reserpine-induced hypothermia in mice(1) These results indicate that valerian extract acts on the central nervous system and may be an antidepressant(1) Other studies on two monoterpene esters isolated from valeriana wallichii D.C. (valtrate and didrovaltrate) show that these two compounds are cytotoxic and inhibit the synthesis of DNA and protein in tumor cells(3) The two compounds cause the disappearance of membrane microvilli, a large distension of the endoplasmic reticulum and a marked condensation of the mitochondria(3) Valtrate rapidly leads to the rounding and detachment of cells cultivated in layer(3) CONCLUSION The good news is, valerian root or valerian root tea will cause drowsiness. However, certain naturally-occurring substances within the root are toxic to rapidly-growing cells (like the cells lining your stomach and your liver!). If you must consume valerian, don't drink too much. Remember that the most toxic substances known to man were produced by 'Mother Nature.' REFERENCES 1. Sakamoto T, Mitani Y, Nakajima K. Psychotropic effects of Japanese valerian root extract. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1992 Mar;40(3):758-61. 2. Leuschner J, Muller J, Rudmann M. Characterisation of the central nervous depressant activity of a commercially available valerian root extract. Arzneimittelforschung 1993 Jun;43(6):638-41. 3. Keochanthalabounthanh C, Beck JP, Haagberrurier M, Anton R. Effects of 2 monoterpene esters, valtrate and didrovaltrate, isolated from valeriana-wallichii, on the ultrastructure of hepatoma cells in culture. Phytotherapy Research 1993 Mar- Apr;7(2):124-7. --by Yung Chi, Student, Pharm D. I School of Pharmacy University of Maryland At Baltimore 20 North Pine Street Baltimore, MD 21201-1180 USA=FC ============================================================================= Newsgroups: alt.drugs,sci.med.pharmacy,misc.health.alternative From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer) Subject: Re: valerian Message-ID: Date: Tue, 14 Feb 1995 02:37:33 GMT [quoted text deleted -cak] Valerian contains a wide variety of substances (none of them chemically resemble Valium or any of the other benzodiazepines). One fraction contains volatile oils, mainly terpene-like substances and isovaleric acid (a short-chain fatty acid.) There is also a class of compounds known as valepotriates, consisting of a 5-member ring abutting a 6 member ring, with one of the 6 being oxygen. Off of the rings are a variety of short chain carboxylic acids, esters, and alcohols. Some of them contain a highly energetic epoxy group. There are also very small amounts of a few nitrogenous alkaloids which are not believed to contribute to valerian's sedative effects. By the way, the valepotriates are unstable in solution and alcoholic tinctures, and are slowly hydrolyzed, losing potency over a period of a couple of months. So, if you're going to purchase or make an alcoholic solution, you'd want to prepare only a small amount at a time. Another complication with do-it-yourself is that the composition of the herb is so variable across different species. Neither of the two main fractions completely accounts for the herb's sedative activity; depending on the preparation, one or the other may predominate, and both may contribute to the effects. There is some concern that the some of the valepotriates could be toxic, especially over the long term, based on studies on their effects on cell cultures, because of the characteristic epoxy group found in some of them. Epoxides are alkylating agents, just like nitrogen mustards, which are a mainstay of cancer chemotherapy (and WW-I poison gases). However, there is no evidence available yet that valerian preparations are particularly toxic, especially when used occasionally. (Not there's a lot to suggest that they're absolutely safe in the long-term, either.) The mechanism of action of valerian's sedative effects is not well understood, but it's pretty clear that it has such an effect both in experimental animals and human subjects. -- Steve Dyer dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com