Overview
Indian Valerian is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for anxiety & stress. Tagara (Valeriana wallichii DC., Fam. Valerianaceae) is Indian Valerian, a well-known sedative herb. The rhizome is the medicinal part. Found in the Himalayas at 5000-9000 feet. The plant has a characteristic strong, somewhat unpleasant odor due to isovaleric acid. It is one of the most important Ayurvedic nervine sedatives. Primarily used for insomnia, epilepsy, psychosis, and headache. Also employed as a cardiac tonic and anti-toxic agent. The root contains essential oil rich in valerenic acid and sesquiterpenes. Some confusion exists between Tagara and Nakhui (Celery seed) — they are different plants. V. hardwickii Wall. is also used in South India under the same name. Asarum europaeum (Europiyan Tagar) was historically used in European practice. Book reference: Karpuradi Varga.
How Indian Valerian Helps with Anxiety & Stress
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Indian Valerian has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing anxiety & stress:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent), Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Snigdha (unctuous)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu), Astringent (Kashaya)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Unctuous (Snigdha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Valerenic acid, Sesquiterpenes, Valeranone, Terpene alcohols, Arachidic acid, Isovaleric acid (responsible for the characteristic pungent odor). Essential oil 0.5-2.15%.
- Also Known As
- English: Indian Valerian
Sanskrit: तगर, नताम्बुज
Hindi: तगर, मुश्कबाला, सुगन्धबाला
What the Classical Texts Say
- Anidra (insomnia)
- Apasmara (epilepsy)
- Unmada (psychosis)
- Shirahshool (headache)
- Netra Roga (eye diseases)
- Visha (poisoning)
- Kushtha (skin diseases)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
Other Herbs for Anxiety & Stress
See all herbs for anxiety & stress on the Anxiety & Stress page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.