European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ETHNOBOTANICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL AND HOMOEOPATHIC REVIEW OF VALERIANA OFFICINALIS LINN.

Dr. Tushita Thakur*

ABSTRACT

Valeriana Officinalis a tall perennial herb that belongs to Valerianacae family and is native Europe and Asia.[1] It has been used since ancient time for its medicinal value as a sedative and anxiolytic.[1,2,3] Galen reported its sedative effects and Hippocrates used it to treat women‟s diseases.[7,10] This review was conducted to summarize the available scientific information obtained from literature, medical databases, laboratory studies and human clinical studies on Valeriana Officinalis Linn. The phytochemical constituents identified in valerian root are essential or volatile oils (monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes), iridoids or valepotriates and pyridine-type alkaloids.[1] It has been pharmacologically proven in animal models for anxiety[12-14], depression[15,16] stress[17], sedative[18-25] and anti-spasmodic[26] properties. In clinical studies it has been pharmacologically proven for premenstrual syndrome[30] and menopausal syndrome[31] while in clinical trials its efficacy as anxiolytic[27-29] and sedative[32-37] remain inconclusive. Homoeopathic literature describes its beneficence for anxiety, headache, hypochondriasis, hysteria, neuralgia, menopausal syndrome, sciatica and sleeplessness etc. The homoeopathic preparations of Valeriana Officinalis have been pharmacologically proven beneficial for ADHD.[38] Considering the cost efficacy and no side effects of Homoeopathic medicines; there is a need to strengthen research based evidence for homoeopathic preparations of this valuable medicinal plant.

Keywords: Valeriana Officinalis, Ethnobotany, Homoeopathy, Pharmacology, Phytochemistry.