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: ebenami@panix.com (Etan Ben-Ami) Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs Subject: Re: Valerian Root Date: 11 Jun 1993 22:46:33 -0400 Message-ID: <1vbg29$iqd@sun.Panix.Com> 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. -- Etan Ben-Ami ============================================================================= 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