Definition

1. Noun:
   • A plant of the genus Valeriana: A perennial herb characterized by lobed or divided leaves and clusters (cymes) of small, often white or pink, fragrant flowers. The root of this plant is commonly used in herbal medicine.
   • The medicinal root of this plant: The dried rhizome and roots of the valerian plant, used especially as a sedative and to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Valerian is often grown in herb gardens for its medicinal properties.
  • She took a valerian supplement to help her sleep.
  • The small white flowers of the valerian plant attract many pollinators.

Advanced Usage

• "Valerian root": This is the most common form in which the plant is used medicinally.
  • The tea was made from dried valerian root.
• In a historical or botanical context, "valerian" can refer to the entire genus (), which contains many species.
  • Several species of valerian are native to Europe and Asia.

Variants and Related Words

• Valerianaceous (adj): Belonging to the Valerianaceae family, which includes the valerian plant.
• Valerate (n): A salt or ester of valeric acid, which is found in valerian root.

Synonyms

• Garden heliotrope (a common name for , the most common medicinal species).
• All-heal (an archaic herbal name for valerian and some other plants).

Related Phrases

• Valerian extract: A concentrated liquid form of the active compounds from the root.
  • The tincture is a valerian extract in an alcohol base.
• Valerian officinalis: The full botanical name for the common or garden valerian used in herbalism.

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms specifically using the word "valerian." Its usage is primarily literal, referring to the plant or its medicinal product.

Noun

1. a plant of the genus Valeriana having lobed or dissected leaves and cymose white or pink flowers