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Valerian, American

Botanical: Cypripedium pubescens (WILD.), Cyprepedium parviflorum
Family: N.O. Orchidaceae

---Synonyms---Lady's Slipper. Cypripedium hirsutum. American Valerian. Noah's Ark. Yellow Lady's Slipper. Nerve-root.
---Part Used---Root.


American Valerian is one of the names given to the Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium). The roots of several varieties, the principal being Cypripedium pubescens and Cyprepedium parviflorum, are employed in hysteria, being a gentle, nervous stimulant and antispasmodic, less powerful than Valerian.

American Valerian is official in the United States Pharmacopoeia for the production of a fluid extract. Cypridenin is a complex, resinoid substance, obtained by precipitating with water a concentrated tincture of the rhizome.

---Preparations and Dosages---Powdered root, 1 drachm. Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm. Cypripedin, 1 to 3 grains. Solid extract alc., 5 to 10 grains.

Purchase from Richters Seeds
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Seeds
Anthos Valerian (Valeriana officinalis 'Anthos') Seeds
Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) Seeds
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Plants
Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) Plants

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Bear in mind "A Modern Herbal" was written with the conventional wisdom of the early 1900's. This should be taken into account as some of the information may now be considered inaccurate, or not in accordance with modern medicine.

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