Authentication of Valeriana procera Kunth and comparative account of five Valeriana species

J AOAC Int. 2005 Nov-Dec;88(6):1621-5.

Abstract

Valeriana procera Kunth (Mexican Valerian) is a commercially important species, sometimes used as a substitute for Valeriana officinalis L., an important sedative in herbal medicine. A detailed macroscopic and microscopic account was provided for V. procera Kunth and a comparison was made between the wild and cultivated samples of V. procera Kunth. Macro- and microscopic comparative analyses were performed to differentiate V. procera Kunth from V. officinalis L. and other commercially important Valerian species such as V. jatamansi Jones, Valeriana edulis Nutt, and V. sitchensis Bong.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / methods*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Microscopy / methods
  • Plant Extracts / analysis*
  • Plant Roots
  • Plants, Medicinal / metabolism
  • Species Specificity
  • Starch / analysis
  • Valerian / metabolism*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Starch