Volume 49, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 176-189
Abstract
Valerian has been used as a name for Japanese Valerian and European Valerian root. Valerian in the German
market today was originally called Baldrian. Transitions in the
standards and the test methods of Valerian root listed in the DAB were
studied this time. Moreover, we compared these standards and test
methods with those in the USP, BP, EP and JP. We also considered the
pharmacology evaluation in Germany. At the time, the standards and test
methods had content in accordance with the EP from DAB9 (1986) of the
West Germany publication. It also agreed with the EP and BP of the same
period. To date in the DAB, botanical features have been mainly derived
from the discriminating characteristics of the Valerian root. In DAB9
(1986), standards and test methods were added to the content, enhancing
it and making it more stringent. This is thought to have happened as a
result of a new, academic finding showing an improvement in the
pharmacology level. Valerian root has been listed continuously in the
DAB. These listings suggest that Valerian root has continally been
evaluated as a sedative. We think that the listing was connected with a
relisting in the BP as a result of scientific communications between
Britain and Germany, EC member nations, such as through EP publications.
On the other hand, the oil made with Japanese Valerian was listed in a
radical field in DAB6 (1926) in the past. This is a valuable result,
proving that it was used and evaluated as an important herbal medicine
from Japan and foreign countries at that time. The Japanese Valerian
referred to is not grown in Japan today. Moreover, it is not possible
that cultivation will be restarted through good quality revaluation.
However, this fact introduces a valuable piece of history supporting the
survival of Japanese Valerian and European Valerian root as a sedative
in the future.
Indexed keywords
EMTREE drug terms: psychotropic agent; valerian
EMTREE medical terms: comparative study; history; Japan; medical literature; medicinal plant; plant root; standards
MeSH: History, 20th Century; Japan; Pharmacopoeias as Topic; Plant Roots; Plants, Medicinal; Psychotropic Drugs; Valerian
Medline is the source for the MeSH terms of this document.
Medline is the source for the MeSH terms of this document.
Chemicals and CAS Registry Numbers: valerian, 8057-49-6;Psychotropic Drugs
