View photos of the medicinal plant Valeriana edulis (Western valerian), profiled in Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States.

A passage from Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States:

As to how Valerian can produce these somewhat contradictory CNS effects and what group of constituents is responsible, is open to debate. It was originally thought that the plant’s valepotriate content was largely responsible: this compound group inhibits GABA (γ–aminobutyric acid) re–uptake. Now though, other mechanisms are coming to light, which attribute altogether different compounds.

View photos of the medicinal plant Valeriana arizonica (Arizona valerian), profiled in Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States.

A passage from Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States:

Depression arising from long–term over–work and worry is often lifted by the fresh plant tincture, as is mental/emotional agitation and ‘cerebral fog’ arising from similar states. It is too occasionally lifting to the depression of hypothyroidism.