Valerenol

Valerenol is a natural chemical compound reported from valerian plants, notably Valeriana officinalis. It is classified as a sesquiterpene alcohol and has been identified in valerian root extracts alongside other constituents such as valerenic acids and valepotriates.

Valerenol has been isolated in small amounts from valerian roots and described in phytochemical studies using techniques such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Its presence helps characterize the chemical profile of valerian preparations.

As a single-component, valerenol is one of many terpenoid metabolites produced by Valeriana species through the mevalonate pathway. The exact biosynthetic steps and the full range of isomeric forms are not fully described in all species.

The pharmacological significance of valerenol per se is unclear. Valerian’s reported sedative and anxiolytic effects are generally attributed to complex mixtures of constituents including valerenic acids, valepotriates, and volatile oils; isolated valerenol has been insufficiently studied to establish clear pharmacodynamic effects or clinical utility.

Like other valerian constituents, valerenol may vary with plant source, harvest, processing, and storage. Standard valerian products often emphasize a balance of multiple constituents rather than isolated compounds, which complicates attribution of effects to valerenol alone.