Valeriana pilosa Ruiz & Pav. (Caprifoliaceae) is an American species, with a long history ofmedicinal use and putative pharmacological properties. It is probably one of the most commonplants used in traditional medicine as a sedative or sleeping pill, which has led to increased scientificresearch. It is common that as scientific knowledge about the species increases, it is indirectlyleading to an excessive demand for the resource, added to traditional use. The conservationof this species has not been considered in the plans, despite the evident anthropic action that itsupports, reflected in the indiscriminate and unsustainable predation. In the high Andean areas ofnorthern Peru, the extraction from its natural habitat is not controlled or regulated, evidenced in itsdepleted populations whose individuals are slow growing. Other risk factors include the burningof vegetation, the expans...