Botanical Name: Vallerine Wallichii
Family : Caprifoliaceae/Valerianaceae (Valerians)
Kingdom : Plantae
Order : Dipsacales
Genus : Valeriana
Synonyms :Valeriana Hardwickii, Valeriana Himalayana
Common Names: Tagara
English Name : Indian Valerian
Gujarati Name: Tagar Ganthoda
Kannada Name:bMushkabala
Marathi Name: Tagaramool
Punjabi Name: Sugandha Bala
TamilName: Tagarai
Habitat:
Vallerine Wallichii is native to temperate Himalayas, from Kashmir to Bhutan and Khasi Hills. It grows naturally at altitudes of 1800–3000 m in north- western Himalayas and between 1200 m and 1800 m in Assam and North-East India.
Description:
Valeriana wallichii is a hairy perennial herb herb that grows up to 50 cm high. The plant has several stems, that are 15–45 cm long. Leaves are of two types, radical and cauline. Radical leaves are cordate–ovate, 2.5–8 cm, toothed or sinuate, long stalked, while cauline leaves are few, small, entire or lobulate. Rootstock is thick, with 6–10 cm thick, long fibrous roots knotted by uneven circular ridges.
Flowers are white or tinged with pink and occur in flat-topped corymbose clusters on erect, nearly leafless peduncles. Flowers are unisexual; male and female flowers appear on different plants. Corolla is funnel shaped with five lobes. Fruits are crowned with a persistent pappus-like calyx. Flowering and fruiting occur in March–April. Seeds ripen in April–May.
Cultivation & propagation:
Moist and partial sunny areas are found suitable for cultivation. Further moist rough wall surface provide suitable microhabitat for better growth. At lower altitude (1800- 2200m) plain beds with slight tilt (5-100C) were found suitable for cultivation unlike horizontal and ertical beds at alpine site.
Vallerine Wallichii can be propagated through seeds or by using portions of the root- stock, preferably during rainy season. It is normally advisable to raise the crop through suckers because crop raised through seeds takes more time to mature. Seeds can be collected in April–May and sown immediately in nursery.
Medicinal Uses:
Valeriana Wallichii benefits include its use in neurological, psychological, and digestive disorders. In low dosage, it calms the mind, strengthens nerves and prevents convulsions. Therefore, it is used in the treatment of disturbed sleep (insomnia), epilepsy, and paralysis. It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions. So, it is used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It acts as an appetizer, carminative and antispasmodic. So, it helps to treat abdominal pain, flatulence, gas, bloating, abdominal heaviness and loss of appetite. It also improves the strength of the heart muscles and reduces blood pressure. Therefore, it is also included in ayurvedic antihypertensive medicines.
• It calms the mind
• It corrects sleep cycle
• It supports better sleep
• It helps to reduce stress, anxiety & irritability
• It removes obstruction from the nerves. It gives relief in pain
• It is hot potency & reduces kapha
• Provides sedative & sleep enhancing properties.
Known Hazards: Tagara Side effects include hypotension, lightheadedness, hiccup, nausea, and vomiting.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://www.ayurtimes.com/tagara-valeriana-wallichii/
https://www.google.com/search?q=edible+uses+of+Valeriana+Wallichii&rlz=1C1JZAP_enIN944IN944&ei=fl14Y6P8E4OPseMPjLi8gAw&ved=0ahUKEwijs-OEtrn7AhWDR2wGHQwcD8AQ4dUDCA8&oq=edible+uses+of+Valeriana+Wallichii&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQDDIFCAAQogQyBQgAEKIEMgUIABCiBDIFCAAQogQyBQgAEKIEOgcIABAeEKIESgQIQRgASgUIQBIBMUoECEYYAFAAWJ8nYPdlaABwAHgAgAHUAogBgRKSAQcwLjguMi4xmAEAoAEBwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/crop-production/package-of-practices/medicinal-and-aromatic-plants/valeriana-jatamansi
