Abstract
Valeriana carnosa Sm. stands out as one of the key elements of the indigenous pharmacopoeia used in the extreme south of the American Continent. Its rhizomes and roots have been used since ancestral times in hepatic, respiratory, circulatory, urinary, digestive and anti-inflammatory remedies. They have also been used as painkillers, sedatives and for the treatment of cultural syndromes particular to Latin-American medicine such as the “susto” and the “evil eye”. The breadth of its reputed uses has led to its being known as “the plant that cures the seven illnesses”.
The crude drug is prepared from the roots and rhizomes, principally as a decoction. Several studies indicate that the principal active ingredients are valepotriates, lignans, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids and essential oils. Research carried out on V. carnosa reveals the presence of active ingredients similar to those of V. officinalis, a species found in many pharmacopoeias which is used as a sedative and sleep inducer. However, little conclusive evidence of efficacy can be provided for the remaining local uses. The key problem of various studies has been their emphasis on very few compounds, rather than traditional preparations. Much more research is required to evaluate the actual efficacy of preparations.
Valeriana carnosa Sm.
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Molares, S., Ladio, A.H. (2018). Valeriana carnosa Sm.. In: Albuquerque, U., Patil, U., Máthé, Á. (eds) Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of South America. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1552-0_42
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