Botanical Name: Valeriana Officinalis? Indian Name: Jalakan
Description and Composition Valerian is a perennial herb which
grows upto 1 metre in height. Its rootstock is thicker than the
stem, producing suckers or shoots rising from the ground. The
stems are furrowed, hairy below and smooth above, whereas its
lower leaves are long compared to the smaller upper leaves. The
plant has small, white flowers in small clusters and small and
smooth fruit. The rhizomes and roots of the plant constitute the
drug. According to some authorities, the name valerian is from
the Latin word Val ere meaning to be in health, while others
believe that it takes its name from an ancient physician,
Valerius, who first employed the herb in medicine. The herb
contains valerianic, formic and acetic acids, in addition to an
essential oil, resin, starch, a glucoside and two alkaloids
chatrine and valerianine. Healing Power and Curative Properties
The leaves should be collected in autumn and dried slowly. The
antispasmodic and stimulant