Category:Valerian

Va*le"ri*an, n. Etym: [ll. valeriana, perhaps from some person named Valerius, or fr. L. valere to be strong. powerful, on account of its Medicinal virtues: cf. F. valériane.] (bot.)

Defn: any plant of the genus valeriana. The root of the officinal Valerian (v. officinalis) has a strong smell, and is much used in Medicine as an antispasmodic. Greek valerian (bot.), a plant (polemonium cæruleum) with blue or white flowers, and leaves Resembling those of the officinal valerian.