any plant of the genus Valeriana, as the common valerian V. officinalis, having small, fragrant flowers of white, lavender, or pink and a root that is used medicinally.
a drug consisting of or made from the root, formerly used as a nerve sedative and antispasmodic.
Also called: allheal. any of various Eurasian valerianaceous plants of the genus Valeriana, esp V. officinalis, having small white or pinkish flowers and a medicinal root
a sedative drug made from the dried roots of V. officinalis
1350–1400; Middle English valirian < Medieval Latin valeriāna (herb) of Valeria (old Roman province, where plant is said to have been common); see -an
Valerian is a plant with tiny white or pink flowers that's commonly used in teas and as a dietary supplement. While some people take valerian to help them sleep, there's no real scientific evidence that it works. Although scientists doubt the sedative effects of the dried valerian plant, it's been used in natural medicine since ancient Greece. Over the years, valerian has been cited as a cure for ailments ranging from liver problems, croup, the plague, and even "envy of the elves"! Today people usually take valerian for sleeplessness or tension, although studies haven't confirmed those effects. While the valerian plant grows pretty little flower clusters, it's considered an invasive weed in much of North America.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Other fellow mint lovers recommended brewing fresh sprigs of mint with various herbal teas, like chamomile, hibiscus, valerian and rooibos.
From Salon ● Jan. 29, 2024
In addition, there are reports that some people experience sluggishness the morning after taking valerian.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 18, 2023
He planted irises and roses directly into the shingle, encouraging a riot of wallflowers and valerian, “all the dark humours blown away by the wind”.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 21, 2020
Those well-traveled seeds have since germinated in a greenhouse, and they look pretty normal from the outside, the periwinkle producing its habitual pink flowers and the valerian its serrated leaves.
From Scientific American ● Jun. 25, 2018
“Hops flower, valerian root, and chamomile. In addition to some other items that are a family secret,” Lafayette replies.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
The candidate will travel north on Saturday in the company of Coos County High Sheriff Brian Valerian.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 5, 2023
Fans of mythological linguistics may recall that the Targaryen family's mother tongue is High Valerian.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2022
Valerian Ismael arrived at Oakwell with the team struggling following poor start to the season.
From The Guardian ● May 17, 2021
A team of psychologists from Old Dominion University, led by Valerian J. Derlega, studied the Officer Friendly program in Norfolk, Virginia, in the mid-1970s.
From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2020
Valerian points to the rowan necklace that dangles around my throat, dried red berries threaded onto a long silver chain.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
We must be careful to remember that it is the Red Valerian, for there are other valerians.
From Wildflowers of the Farm by Cooke, Arthur Owens
I know where the foxglove rears its head, And where the heather tufts are spread; I know where the meadow-sweets exhale, And the white valerians load the gale.
From The Illustrated London Reading Book by Various
The lofty mountains of equinoctial America have certainly plantains, valerians, arenarias, ranunculuses, medlars, oaks, and pines, which from their physiognomy we might confound with those of Europe; but they are all specifically different.
From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 1 by Ross, Thomasina
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
