Steinmetz:Valeriana

Valeriana jatamansi

Also known as (or relevant to) Valeriana jatamansi Nardostachys jatamansi Patrinia jatamansi Family Valerianaceae English Names True Spikenard Indian Valerian Indian Nard Indian Spikenard Mountain Nard Muskroot Natural Habitat mountainous districts of India Himalayas China Part(s) Used Radix (the hairy portion of the stem immediately above the root)

Constituent(s) essential oil resin starch sugar gum bitter principle Action carminative tonic nerve-stimulant nerve-sedative cordial deodorant antispasmodic emmenagogue deobstruent aromatic used in expensive perfumery in India P. S. The large flowering species Nardostachys grandiflora possesses similar properties in less pronounced degree

Valeriana officinalis

Also known as (or relevant to) Valeriana officinalis Family Valeranaceae English Names Valerian Baker's Hartshorn Natural Habitat Europe (including Great Britain) especially Holland and Belgium Thuringen Russia; Northern Asia Ceylon Burma Part(s) Used Radix Valerianae Oleum Valerianae

Constituent(s) volatile oil valerianic acid (which is more exactly isovalerianic acid or isopropyl-acetic acid) formic acid chatinine tannin gum resin starch sugar (free isovaleric acid is not pre-existent in this variety) Action stimulant anodyne nervine antispasmodic sedative hypnotic vermifuge sudorific

Links

• Information in Von Esenbeck's book

Valeriana wallichii

Also known as (or relevant to) Valeriana wallichii Valeriana jatamansi Family Valerianaceae English Names Indian Valerian Natural Habitat Northern India (Himalayas)

Constituent(s) its constituents resemble those of Valeriana officinalis (which see) but the proportion of oil and resin is higher