Description

Indian Valerian is a rhizome herb of the genus Valeriana and the family Valerianaceae also called TagarGanthoda, not to be confused with ganthoda, the root of Indian long pepper. It is an herb useful in Ayurvedic medicine used as an analeptic, antispasmodic, carminative, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, and nervine. It grows in the Northwest Himalayas in places like Astore (Northern Pakistan) and forests in the region. with about 200 species, belongs to the family Valerianaceae and has a distribution throughout the world. The Indian Valerian has long been used in Ayurveda (Charak Samhita and Susruta) and Unani systems of medicine, which describe its use in obesity, skin disease, insanity, epilepsy and snake poisoning.

Characteristics:

Indian Valerian is a perennial herb, distinguished by its 1-3 pairs of stem-leaves which are large, compound, with 3-5 leaflets, and its white or pale pink flowers. These tiny flower, 2-3 mm across, are borne in dense, domed clusters at the end of branches. The clusters form a branched pyramidal inflorescence. Basal leaves are long-stalked, and are usually shriveled during flowering. Stem is 1-6 ft tall. Indian Valerian is found in shrubberies and open slopes, at altitudes of 1500-4000 m. Flowering: June-September.

Medicinal Uses:

Indian Valerian is a well-known and frequently used medicinal herb that has a long and proven history of efficacy. It is noted especially for its effect as a tranquilliser and nervine, particularly for those people suffering from nervous overstrain. Valerian has been shown to encourage sleep, improve sleep quality and reduce blood pressure.