The plant has a long history of medicinal uses and has been used in the treatment of various diseases.
In ancient Rome and Greece, Hippocrates is known to have discoursed about the various medicinal uses of the plant.
Also, in the second century, the plant was prescribed by Galen as a cure for insomnia.
It was also by the English citizens to relieve stress during World War II.
Valeriana Wallichii's name is Valerian, Indian Valerian, Valerian Jatamansi, Taggar. The herb is erect and may grow up to four feet in height.
The leaves of the plant may be pinnate and divided while the flowers are usually white or pink and may grow in clusters.
The rhizomes of the plant are short and the roots are hairy.
The plant usually grows in mountainous regions such as Northwestern Himalayas.
The herb may grow at high altitudes of up to 3000 meters in the temperate zones of the north western Himalayas.
The herb is also widely cultivated in countries such as Belgium, England, Eastern Europe, France and Germany.
It has been well distributed throughout the world for its medicinal uses.
The primary constituent of the plant is the brownish-yellow oil which is present in the dried roots.
The root also contains two distinct alkaloids such as Chatarine and Valerianine.
The other chemicals present in the plant may include valerenic acids (valerenic acid, hydroxy valerenic acid, acethoxy valerenic acid and valerenal), Valepotriates (valtrate, isovaltrate, acevaltrate, didrovaltrate), GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), Tyrosine, Arginine, and Glutamine.