Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Valeriana officinalis

Valeriana officinalis

9.1
A tall plant that lives for many years with fragrant flowers and roots used to help people sleep
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : valeriana officinalis
  • Valeriana officinalis has long been valued for its sedative properties in traditional medicine.
  • Valeriana officinalis

Examples

  • Supplements containing extracts from Valeriana officinalis are often marketed as sleep aids.

  • The gardener cultivated Valeriana officinalis for both its attractive blooms and medicinal roots.

  • The herbalist recommended Valeriana officinalis for its calming effects.

  • Have you ever tried Valeriana officinalis for sleep issues?

  • Valeriana officinalis is commonly used in herbal medicine to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.

  • Many people find that Valeriana officinalis helps them to unwind after a stressful day.

  • You can brew tea from Valeriana officinalis to enjoy its calming benefits before bedtime.

Synonyms

valerian
vsValeriana officinalis
32 8.2

A plant with small white or pink flowers and roots used as medicine

is a single species rather than the general genus term
garden heliotrope
vsValeriana officinalis
9.0

A tall plant with sweet-smelling pink or white flowers and roots used in medicine

is the scientific species name rather than a garden label
common valerian
vsValeriana officinalis
7.2

A tall plant with strong-smelling flowers whose roots are used to help people sleep

is the botanical species name that highlights family membership

Surface Forms

Valeriana officinalis singular
Valeriana officinalises plural

Morphology

Valeriana + officinalis

This binomial name is compositionally built from the genus 'Valeriana' and the epithet 'officinalis' meaning 'used in medicine', so a learner who knows both constituents can readily infer it denotes the medicinal Valeriana plant. Although botanical Latin is a specialized register, the parts combine transparently to give the overall meaning.

Etymology

Valeriana officinalis comes from old Latin words: Valeriana from 'valere' meaning 'to be well' and officinalis meaning 'sold in medicine shops'. Because people used its roots as a medicine to calm the nerves and help sleep, the name tells you it is a medicinal herb.