Bruylants (1878) has isolated from oil of valerian—1st. A hydrocarbon, C₁₀H₁₆, boiling at 157° C., yielding a crystallized compound with HCl. 2nd. The liquid compound C₁₀H₁₈O, which by means of chromic acid affords common camphor and formic, acetic and valerianic acids, which are met with in old valerian root, owing no doubt to the slow oxidation of the compound C₁₀H₁₈O. 3rd. There is also present a crystallizable compound of the same composition, which is probably identical with the camphor of Dryobalanops aromatica (see our article on Camphora). It would appear that this substance is of alcoholic nature, being combined in the root with the 3 organic acids mentioned under 2nd. On distilling, these compound ethers are resolved partly into the alcohol C₁₀H₁₈O (borneol) and the acids. This decomposition is fully performed, if the root is macerated with alkaline water, and then, on distilling, a slight excess of sulphuric acid is added. 4th. At about 300° a greenish portion is coming over, which can be obtained colourless by again rectifying it. This oil assumes intense colorations if it is shaken with concentrated mineral acids; it becomes blue by distilling it over potash.
Valerianic acid as afforded by the root is not agreeing with normal valerianic acid. It is, more exactly, isovalerianic acid, or isopropyl-acetic acid: (CH₃)₂CH·CH₂COOH, which is produced by Valeriana as well as by Archangelica officinalis and Viburnum Opulus. The same acid also may be obtained from the fat of Dolphinus globiceps.
After the root has been submitted to the distillation of the oil, there is found a strongly acid residue containing malic acid, resin, and sugar,—the last capable, according to Schoonbroodt, of reducing cupric oxide.
Uses—Valerian is employed as a stimulant and antispasmodic.
Substitutes—In the London market there has been offered “Kesso” the root of Patrinia scabiosaefolia Link,[1411] a Japanese herb of the order Valerianaceæ. This drug consists of a very short rootstock giving off a large number of rootlets about 5 inches long and ⅒ of an inch in diameter. By the absence of a well-marked upright rhizome in this Japanese Valerian it is widely differing from our Valerian, although at first sight it agrees to some extent with it. As to the odour and taste we find Kesso almost identical with true Valerian.
The less aromatic and now disused root of Valeriana Phu L. consists of a thicker rhizome which lies in the earth obliquely; it is less closely annulated and rooted at the bottom only. It resembles by no means true Valerian.
COMPOSITÆ.
RADIX INULÆ.
Radix Enulæ, Radix Helenii; Elecampane;[1412] F. Racine d’Aunée; G. Alantwurzel.
Botanical Origin—Inula Helenium L.—This stately perennial plant is very widely distributed, occurring scattered throughout the whole of central and southern Europe, and extending eastward to the Caucasus, Southern Siberia and the Himalaya. It is found here and there apparently wild in the south of England and Ireland, as well as in Southern Norway and in Finland (Schübeler).