| By Melissa
Chiasson, MD and Julie Dickson, MD  Valerian root has been used for centuries in Europe and
Asia as a sedative/hypnotic agent. It is claimed that Valerian root
decreases the time it takes for a person to fall asleep and that it also
improves sleep quality. However, there are many other purported uses for this
plant. Unfortunately, most of these do not have any scientifically proven
merit.
Valerian root has a distinctive unpleasant
odor which is only present in the dried form. The fresh root has no odor. In the drying
process, components in the root hydrolyze to form isovaleric acid. It is
this compound that causes the offensive odor. This odor is said to
be attractive to rats. According to legend, the Pied Piper used Valerian
root to lure rats from the village of Hamlin. |
