Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) is an erbaceous perennial plant, characteristic of Europe but also present in Southafrica and Asia. Today it is commonly cultivate for health applications. Preparations that can be obtained are mainly hydroalcoholic extracts from roots of the plant. Its phytocomplex contains a big variety of compounds including mono-, tri- and sesquiterpenes, iridoids, little amounts of alcaloids, aminoacids, flavonoids.
Most important compounds that also constitute the commons standardization of marketed extracts are sesquiterpenes valerenic acid, acetoxyvalerenic acid, hydroxyvalerenic acid. Health effects that are known since Romans are favouring nervous tension and resolving troubles falling asleep and experiencing a good quality sleep.