666 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
The roots are aromatic and bitter in taste. They are 
supposed to possess tonic, stimulant, and antispasmodic pro- 
perties, and are often employed in the treatment of epilepsy, 
hysteria, and convulsive affections (Watt). Used in palpita- 
tion of the heart (Thompson, in Watt’s Dictionary). 
620 . Valeriana officinalis, Linn, H.F.B.I., ill. 
211 . 
Fern.: — Jal-lakri (H.) ; Kdld vala (Mar.); JalaJakan, billi- 
lotan (A j mere). 
Habitat : — North Kashmir ; Sonaming ; Kunzlwan. 
Perennial herbs, subglabrous. Rootstock short, suberect, 
hardly thicker than the stem, stoloniferous. Stem l-3ft., erect, 
corymbose above, nodes minutely hairy. Leaves pinnate, seg- 
ments numerous, narrow, entire or toothed. Radical leaves 0 at 
flowering time or pinnate. The leaves on lateral offsets in 
autumn near the root are often ovate, entire or slightly toothed. 
Cauline leaves several, all pinnate. Upper bracts io in., oblong- 
linear, shorter than the fruits. 
Uses ' — The root is officinal, being stimulant and antispas- 
modic. It is useful as an antispasmodic in hysteria, epilepsy, 
chorea and allied affections. As a stimulant, it is used in the 
advanced stages of fevers, low asthenic inflammations, &c. 
(Pharm. Ind.) As an antispasmodic, it is much inferior to 
assafoetida. In excessive doses, it causes headache, mental ex- 
citement, indicating a deranged state of the nervous system. In 
intermittents, it has been useful when combined with cinchona 
bark or other tonics. Baths of Valerian have been found very 
useful in acute rheumatism. The volatile oil of Valerian is 
also a good form of administration (Bentley & Trimen). 
621 . V. Wallichii, do. h.f.b.i., iii. 213 . 
Syn. : — V. Jatamansi, Eoxb. 55. 
Vern . : — Mush kwdli, bala (Pb). 
Habitat: — Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Bhotan, 
and Khasia Mountains. 
