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Valeriana wallichii
Indian valerian
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Latin Name: Valeriana wallichii
Synonyms: V. jatamansii. Jones.
Common Name: Indian valerian
Family: Valerianaceae(Click to Search)
Author: DC.
Known Hazards: Some caution is advised with the use of this plant. At least one member of the genus is considered to be poisonous raw[161] and V. officinalis is a powerful nervine and sedative that can become habit-forming.
Habitat: Common in forests, shrubberies and on open slopes, 1500 - 3600 metres[51].
Habit: Perennial
Medicinal Uses: The root is antispasmodic and stimulant[4]. It has many of the properties of V. officinalis and could therefore be employed as a nervine and sedative[4].
This species is an effective substitute for V. officinalis[240]. The uses of that plant are as follows:-
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 tranquilizer and nervine, particularly for those people suffering from nervous overstrain[4, 222]. Valerian has been shown to encourage sleep, improve sleep quality and reduce blod pressure[254]. It is also used internally in the treatment of painful menstruation, cramps, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome etc[238, 254]. It should not be prescribed for patients with liver problems[238]. Externally, it is used to treat eczema, ulcers and minor injuries[238].
The root is antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, hypnotic, powerfully nervine, sedative and stimulant[4, 7, 9, 14, 21, 46, 147, 165, 192, 218]. The active ingredients are called valepotriates, research has confirmed that these have a calming effect on agitated people, but are also a stimulant in cases of fatigue[222]. The roots of 2 year old plants are harvested in the autumn once the leaves have died down and are used fresh or dried[4, 9, 238]. The fresh root is about 3 times as effective as roots dried at 40° (the report does not specify if this is centrigrade or fahrenheit), whilst temperatures above 82° destroy the active principle in the root[240]. Use with caution[21, 238], see the notes above on toxicity.
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