Introduction of Xie Cao:Valerian Rhizome or Rhizoma Valerianae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Valerian Rhizome, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its herbal classic book defined botanical source two plant species, ①.Valeriana officinalis L., ②.Valeriana amurensis Smir. Ex Kom., and other usable plant species, ③.Valeriana officinalis L.var.latifolia Miq., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these three plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these three plant species, the features of the herb Valerian Rhizome, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Rhizoma Valerianae(Valerian Rhizome).
Pin Yin Name: Xié Cǎo.
English Name: Valerian Rhizome.
Latin Name: Rhizoma Valerianae.
Property and flavor: warm, pungent, bitter.
Brief introduction: The herb Rhizoma Valerianae is the dried rhizome of Valeriana officinalis L., used (1).as a tranquilizer for treating insomnia, and (2).to regulate the flow of Qi for relieving abdominal distension and pain. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Valerianae, Valerian Rhizome, Valerian Root, Xié Cǎo.
Botanical source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Rhizoma Valerianae(Valerian Rhizome) as the dry root of species (1). Valeriana officinalis L., or (2). Valeriana amurensis Smir. Ex Kom. Other famous herbal classics defined the herb Rhizoma Valerianae(Valerian Rhizome) as the dry root of species (1). Valeriana officinalis L., or (2). Valeriana amurensis Smir. Ex Kom., or (3). Valeriana officinalis L.var.latifolia Miq. They are plants of the Valeriana Linn. Genus, the Valerianaceae family (valerian subfamily of the family Caprifoliaceae) of the Rubiales order. These 3 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Valeriana officinalis L.
Botanical description: Valeriana officinalis L is commonly known as Xié Cǎo, it is a plant of the Valerianaceae family (valerian subfamily of the family Caprifoliaceae) and Valeriana genus (some other systems classified the plant to the Caprifoliaceae family), a perennial herb, it grows up to 1~1.5 meters high. The rhizome is stout and short, capitate, fibrous roots are tufty and have an aroma. The stem is hollow, has a coarse vertical edge, and is covered with long, coarse hairs. Procumbent branches, basal leaves, and leaves growing at the base often wilt in the flowering period. Cauline leaves are opposite, oval (egg-shaped) to broadly ovate, 2–9 pairs, and pinnately parted; central lobes and ambilateral lobes are of the same shape and same size, but often connate with the first pair of lateral lobes and grow to 3-lobed, lobes are lanceolate or strip-shaped, apex is attenuated (gradually narrowing), the base is decurrent, entire or sparsely serrate, both surfaces and the petiole shaft are more or less piliferous.
The inflorescences are apical, compose corymbose ternate racemose cymes; flower bracts are pinnately divided, 1~2 cm long; bracteoles are strip-shaped, about 1 cm long; calyx is involute (rolls inward); corolla is lavender blush or white, about 5 mm long; the upper part is slightly wide, 5-lobed; 3 stamens, stretching beyond the corolla; ovary is inferior.
Achenes are ovate-oblong, about 4 mm long, the base is nearly truncated, and the tip has many persistent calyxes, plumelike (feathery). Its flowering period is from May to July, and the fruiting period is from June to October.
Ecological Environment: Valeriana officinalis L grows in areas at altitudes of 2,500 meters above sea level, in grassland on hillsides or mountain slopes, forests, and ditch sides. This species is mainly distributed in the northern to southwest areas of China. This species is native to Europe and parts of Asia, and has been introduced to the North American continent.
Growth characteristics: The plant, Valeriana officinalis prefers wet soil, should choose a field with a high underground water level or low-lying land for planting, and should have good irrigation conditions, waterlogging resistance, and drought resistance. Neutral or kalescent sandy loam is better for planting.
Characters of herbs: The rhizome is cylindrical-like, stout and short, 0.5~2 cm long, and 0.4~1.5 cm in diameter, the surface is yellowish-brown to brown, coarse and rough, with petiole residues, there is a residual stem base that grows at the upper end, hollow, some rhizomes have transverse branches, stem base residue remains at the distant nodes, the length of internodes is 1~2 cm, and many fine roots grow in clusters around and at the lower end of the rhizome, with slender ends, the surface is yellowish-brown to brown, has vertical wrinkles. The texture of the herb is slightly tough, the outer layer of the fracture surface is yellow-brown or brown, and the center is yellow-white. There is a special smelly odor, and the dried herb has a thicker odor. It tastes slightly spicy, then slightly bitter, and cool. The herb of a better grade has thick root heads, and long roots, the surface is yellow-brown; and it has a strong odor.
(2).Valeriana amurensis Smir. Ex Kom.
Botanical description: Valeriana amurensis Smir. ex Kom is commonly known as Hēi Shuǐ Xié Cǎo (means black water Valeriana), it is a plant of the Valerianaceae family and Valeriana genus (some other system classified the plant to the Caprifoliaceae family), it is also known as black water valeriana, a perennial herb, the plant grows up to 1.5 meters high. The rhizome is thin and long, aromatic, and in irregular lumps. The upper part of the stem has petiolate glandular hairs. Leaves are opposite, imparipinnate, 15~20 cm long; basal petioles are about 20 cm long, cauligenous petiole gradually turns shorter upward to sessile and have rough hairs; the 1~2 pairs of basal lobules are smaller, the central lobes are the biggest, broadly ovate, often connate with or closely connect to the 1st pair of lobules on the upper part, the apex is blunt, base is cuneate or wide cuneate (wide wedge-shaped); the margin is coarsely serrate.
The multipartite cymes are apical; pedicels (flower stalks) are covered with petiolate glandular hairs and coarse hairs; bracts are pinnately divided, 2 cm long; bracteoles are pinnatisect to strip-shaped, 1 cm long, all have glandular hairs; calyx is involute (rolled inward); corolla is faint red (pale red), funnelform (funnel-shaped), 3~5 mm long; 5-lobed; 3 stamens; ovary is inferior.
Achenes are narrow triangular-ovate, about 3 mm long, the apex has a piliferous persistent calyx. Its flowering period is from June to July, the fruiting period is from July to August.
Ecological Environment: Valeriana amurensis Smir. Ex Kom grows in meadows on hillsides or mountain slopes, or in larch and birch forests. This species is mainly distributed in the northern area of China, and it also grows in other areas.
Characters of herbs: The rhizomes are capitate, 0.3–1.4 cm long, and 0.3–1 cm in diameter. The surface is brownish yellow, and there are residues of brownish-yellow aboveground stems and petiole residues remain on the tip, with many radicula (radicels) around it. The texture of the herb is solid and firm, not easily broken, with a cavity in the center of the fracture surface. The herb has a special, smelly odor, and a slightly bitter taste.
Pharmacological actions: ①.sedative effect;②.effects on circulation and respiration system; ③.antimicrobial effect:total alkaloids derived from valerian have an antibacterial effect, especially on the gram-positive bacterium; ④. Other effects: the herb has some anti-diuretic effects.
Medicinal efficacy: Peace the heart and tranquilizing mind, it is indicated for fidgets (restlessness,be ill at ease), palpitations and insomnia (heartthrob, lose sleep), mania (insane, demented), hysteria, rheumatic arthralgia pain, stomach weakness, lumbago (low back pain), irregular menstruation (menoxenia), dysmenorrhea (abdominal pain after menstruation), amenorrhea (menischesis), and traumatic injury, etc.
Administration of Rhizoma Valerianae (Xié Cǎo):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Rhizoma Valerianae (Xié Cǎo)
TCM Books:
①.Internally:water decoction, 1~1.5 qian (about 3~4.5 grams);prepare to finely ground herb powder, or infusing in wine; ②.Internally:water decoction,3~9 grams, or prepare to finely ground herb powder;or infusing in wine. Externally:proper amount, prepare to finely ground herb powder, apply stick.
Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Reactions: the herb Rhizoma Valerianae should be used cautiously in conditons Yin deficiency and physical weakness.
(3).Valeriana officinalis L.var.latifolia Miq.
Botanical description: Valeriana officinalis L.var.latifolia Miq is a plant of the Valerianaceae family and Valeriana genus (some other systems classified the plant to the Caprifoliaceae family), it is also known as Kuān Yè Xié Cǎo (means broadleaf valeriana), it is a varietas of the Valeriana officinalis L., the main differences are that the leaf lobes are wider, the middle lobes are bigger, the lobes are serrated broad-ovate, and the lobe number is less than the number of Valeriana officinalis, usually 5~7. The flowering period and fruiting period are the same as Valeriana officinalis L.
Ecological Environment: Valeriana amurensis Smir. Ex Kom grows in forests or ditch sides, in areas at altitudes lower than 1,500 meters above sea level. This species is mainly distributed in the same area as Valeriana officinalis L., and mainly in the eastern area of China.
Characters of herbs: The traits of the herb are similar to the rhizome of Valeriana officinalis.
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1.Introduction of Xie Cao:Valerian Rhizome or Rhizoma Valerianae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Valerian Rhizome, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its herbal classic book defined botanical source two plant species, ①.Valeriana officinalis L., ②.Valeriana amurensis Smir. Ex Kom., and other usable plant species, ③.Valeriana officinalis L.var.latifolia Miq., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these three plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these three plant species, the features of the herb Valerian Rhizome, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Xié Cǎo.
Botanical description: Valeriana officinalis L is commonly known as Xié Cǎo, it is a plant of the Valerianaceae family (valerian subfamily of the family Caprifoliaceae) and Valeriana genus (some other systems classified the plant to the Caprifoliaceae family), a perennial herb, it grows up to 1~1.5 meters high. The rhizome is stout and short, capitate, fibrous roots are tufty and have an aroma. The stem is hollow, has a coarse vertical edge, and is covered with long, coarse hairs. Procumbent branches, basal leaves, and leaves growing at the base often wilt in the flowering period. Cauline leaves are opposite, oval (egg-shaped) to broadly ovate, 2–9 pairs, and pinnately parted; central lobes and ambilateral lobes are of the same shape and same size, but often connate with the first pair of lateral lobes and grow to 3-lobed, lobes are lanceolate or strip-shaped, apex is attenuated (gradually narrowing), the base is decurrent, entire or sparsely serrate, both surfaces and the petiole shaft are more or less piliferous.
Ecological Environment: Valeriana officinalis L grows in areas at altitudes of 2,500 meters above sea level, in grassland on hillsides or mountain slopes, forests, and ditch sides. This species is mainly distributed in the northern to southwest areas of China. This species is native to Europe and parts of Asia, and has been introduced to the North American continent.
Botanical description: Valeriana amurensis Smir. ex Kom is commonly known as Hēi Shuǐ Xié Cǎo (means black water Valeriana), it is a plant of the Valerianaceae family and Valeriana genus (some other system classified the plant to the Caprifoliaceae family), it is also known as black water valeriana, a perennial herb, the plant grows up to 1.5 meters high. The rhizome is thin and long, aromatic, and in irregular lumps. The upper part of the stem has petiolate glandular hairs. Leaves are opposite, imparipinnate, 15~20 cm long; basal petioles are about 20 cm long, cauligenous petiole gradually turns shorter upward to sessile and have rough hairs; the 1~2 pairs of basal lobules are smaller, the central lobes are the biggest, broadly ovate, often connate with or closely connect to the 1st pair of lobules on the upper part, the apex is blunt, base is cuneate or wide cuneate (wide wedge-shaped); the margin is coarsely serrate.
Botanical description: Valeriana officinalis L.var.latifolia Miq is a plant of the Valerianaceae family and Valeriana genus (some other systems classified the plant to the Caprifoliaceae family), it is also known as Kuān Yè Xié Cǎo (means broadleaf valeriana), it is a varietas of the Valeriana officinalis L., the main differences are that the leaf lobes are wider, the middle lobes are bigger, the lobes are serrated broad-ovate, and the lobe number is less than the number of Valeriana officinalis, usually 5~7. The flowering period and fruiting period are the same as Valeriana officinalis L.
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