Active Components and Preparation

Active Components

The active ingredients in valerian consist of a mixture of compounds, however most attention has been given to Sesquiterpenoids and Valepotriates. The essential oils of the plant, which is found in the roots, contain a mixture of the active ingredients.

Figure 1. Valerenic acid

Figure 2. Valerenal structure

It has been suggested that valerenal and valerenic acid are the active components that are responsible for the sedative effects of valerian. As shown in the figure below, their structures are based on the valerene ring. However, it must be noted that different species of Valerian contain varying proportions of the active ingredients. For instance, valerenic acid is only found in the European valerian.

Preparation

The valerian root is usually dried then soaked in a solution. Then it is either centrifuged or dried into a powder, which contains the purified active constituents. It can then be encapsulated or made into a tablet. Alternative methods of preparation can be used to make tea.