valerian
noun
va·le·ri·an
və-ˈlir-ē-ən 
1
: any of a genus (Valeriana of the family Caprifoliaceae, the honeysuckle family) of perennial herbs and shrubs many of which possess medicinal properties
2
: a preparation of the dried rhizome and roots of the garden heliotrope (Valeriana officinalis) used especially formerly as a carminative and sedative
Examples of valerian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For these reasons, in its 2017 practice guidelines, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommended against using valerian for insomnia.
—
Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024
Most of the studies covering valerian use the capsule form compared to the teas.
—Valerie Agyeman, Good Housekeeping, 20 Apr. 2023
Field after field frothed with wildflowers — poppies, pink valerian, thistle — all swaying in the wake of the speeding supercars like fans at a rock concert.
—Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2023
My doctor recommended the herbal supplement valerian.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 27 Mar. 2020
Tidy boxwood hedging outlines the spring display and provides a framework for later waves of allium and lilies that bloom companionably among the roses, valerian, yarrow and other summer perennials in the small but striking space.
—Lorene Edwards Forkner, The Seattle Times, 13 Apr. 2019
Out of the natural or herbal supplements available (including chamomile and lavender), valerian has the most studies supporting its sleep-inducing effects, Dr. Bollu says.
—Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 30 Jan. 2019
Common over-the-counter sleeping medications have one of four ingredients: melatonin, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, or valerian.
—Yvette D'entremont, SELF, 28 Nov. 2018
In these studies, the benefits were most pronounced when people used valerian for extended periods of time, as opposed to simply taking it for one night.
—Sarah Jio, Woman's Day, 11 Nov. 2010
Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024
Most of the studies covering valerian use the capsule form compared to the teas.
—Valerie Agyeman, Good Housekeeping, 20 Apr. 2023
Field after field frothed with wildflowers — poppies, pink valerian, thistle — all swaying in the wake of the speeding supercars like fans at a rock concert.
—Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2023
My doctor recommended the herbal supplement valerian.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 27 Mar. 2020
Tidy boxwood hedging outlines the spring display and provides a framework for later waves of allium and lilies that bloom companionably among the roses, valerian, yarrow and other summer perennials in the small but striking space.
—Lorene Edwards Forkner, The Seattle Times, 13 Apr. 2019
Out of the natural or herbal supplements available (including chamomile and lavender), valerian has the most studies supporting its sleep-inducing effects, Dr. Bollu says.
—Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 30 Jan. 2019
Common over-the-counter sleeping medications have one of four ingredients: melatonin, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, or valerian.
—Yvette D'entremont, SELF, 28 Nov. 2018
In these studies, the benefits were most pronounced when people used valerian for extended periods of time, as opposed to simply taking it for one night.
—Sarah Jio, Woman's Day, 11 Nov. 2010
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'valerian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Valerian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valerian. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
valerian
noun
va·le·ri·an
və-ˈlir-ē-ən
1
: any of a genus (Valeriana of the family Valerianaceae, the valerian family) of perennial herbs many of which possess medicinal properties
2
: a preparation of the dried rhizome and roots of the garden heliotrope (Valeriana officinalis) that is used as an herbal remedy and is held to be beneficial in treating nervousness and insomnia
called also valerian root
Biographical Definition
Valerian
biographical name
Va·le·ri·an
və-ˈlir-ē-ən
died a.d. 260 Publius Licinius Valerianus Roman emperor (253–260)
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