Source, Etc

Indian valerian is the rhizome and roots of Valeriana Wallichii, de Candolle (N.O. Valerianeoe), which is widely distributed in the temperate Himalayas.

Description

The rhizome is nearly cylindrical, about 5 cm. long and 5 to 10 mm. thick, usually curved or bent, dull brown in colour and marked with raised, encircling leaf-scars and numerous prominent root scars; roots thick and few. The rhizome is hard and tough, breaking with a short fracture and exhibiting a dark section with a large pith and diffuse ring of small wood-bundles. The odour resembles that of valerian.

Constituents

Indian valerian yields about 1 per cent. of volatile oil of similar nature to that of valerian.