(Valeriana Officinalis. _Sylvestris._)
_Valerian Root._
QUALITIES. _Odour_, strong, peculiar and unpleasant; _Taste_, warm,
bitter, and sub-acrid. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. Extractive, gum, resin,
fecula, tannin, and a peculiar essential oil which seems to contain
camphor, and on which its virtues probably depend. SOLUBILITY. Its
active matter is extracted by boiling water, alcohol, and the solutions
of the pure alkalies. INCOMPATIBLE SUBSTANCES. _The salts of iron._ MED.
USES. It is antispasmodic, tonic, and emmenagogue; and it is highly
beneficial in those diseases which appear to be connected with a morbid
susceptibility of the nervous system, as in hysteria, hemicrania, and in
some species of epilepsy; and it would appear that its virtues in such
complaints may be frequently increased by combining it with cinchona.
FORMS OF EXHIBITION. The form of powder is the most effectual, and next
to this a strong tincture made with proof spirit; by decoction its
powers are considerably impaired, and consequently the extract is an
inefficient preparation. DOSE of the powder ℈j to ʒj; when the flavour
disgusts, the addition of a small portion of mace or cinnamon will be
found to disguise it. See _Form. 25, 31, 38_. OFFICINAL PREPARATION.
_Infus. Valerian._ D. _Tinct. Valerian._ L.D. _Tinct. Valerian.
ammoniat._ L.D. ADULTERATIONS. The roots of a species of _crowfoot_ are
sometimes mixed with those of valerian; they may be distinguished by a
caustic taste on chewing them; the roots have also often a disagreeable
smell from the urine of cats, who are allured and delighted by their
odour; and they are sometimes inert, from not having been taken up at a
proper season, or from not having been carefully preserved.