• Botanical Name: Valeriana officinalis
• Family: Valerianaceae
• Flowering and fruiting: February - May
• Parts Used: Rhizome and roots.
• Distribution: 1500 - 3300 m, east to west.
• Method of Extraction: Steam Distillation

Description:

It is a perennial herb to 45 cm tall with, horizontal, nodulat and aromatic root stock. Basal leaves with ovate-heart shaped acute blade, 2.5 - 8 cm, and toothed or wavy-margined, long stalked; stem leaves few, small, entire or pinnate lobed. Flowers white or pink tinged, in terminal clusters, borne on erect nearly leafless stem. Fruits small with persistent pappus like calyx. Valerian gets its name from the Latin word for "well-being"alerian was best known to ancient classical authors as a diuretic and treatment for menstrual difficulties. As late as the nineteenth century, valerian root was also the chosen treatment for hysteria and vapors, two "female nervous conditions." Clinical research shows that valerian root improves overall sleep quality, shortening the length of time it takes to fall asleep and helping people sleep more soundly. Overall, valerian root seems to help poor sleepers the most. 44% of the test group reported "perfect" sleep and 89% noted significant improvement after taking valerian root, in comparison with placebo. A large multimember study has also demonstrated valerian root's effectiveness in children with sleeping problems related to nervousness. Valerian root's popularity as a sedative herb seems to be increasing along with the stresses of modern life.

Specification of Valerian (Sugandhawal)
1. Organoleptic Properties
Appearance	Fluid to slightly viscous liquid
Color	yellowish-green to brownish-yellow
Aroma	Heady, unpleasant
2. Physico-chemical Properties
Specific gravity	0.930 to 0.970 at 20° C
Optical rotation	(-) 35° to (-) 10° at 20° C
Refractive index	1.470 to 1.485 at 20º C
Acid number	0.5 to 2.5
Ester number
Ester number after acetylation	40 to 65
Solubility	Soluble in alcohol and oils. Insoluble in water.
3. Chemical constituent:
Acetic acid, ascorbic acid, beta-ionone, calcium, caffeic acid, magnesium, manganese, quercitin, valeric acid
4. Uses
Valerian reduces insomnia, mild anxiety or restlessness, muscle spasms and  cramping, menstrual cramps, intestinal cramping/colic