Indian Valerian: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

If your mind races at night and your body will not settle, Indian Valerian (Tagara) is the herb Ayurveda has reached for. The classical herbal lexicon of the Bhavaprakasha (Bhavaprakash Nighantu) calls it one of the most important nervine sedatives in Ayurveda, a herb that calms the nervous system directly.

Its botanical name is Valeriana wallichii, from the valerian family (Valerianaceae). It grows in the Himalayas, and the part used is the rhizome, the knotted underground stem. The Sahasra Yoga drug index gives Nata as a Sanskrit synonym.

You will notice it before you taste it. The rhizome has a strong, rather unpleasant smell that comes from isovaleric acid, and its essential oil is rich in valerenic acid and related compounds called sesquiterpenes.

Indian Valerian is bitter and pungent in taste with a heating potency (Ushna Virya). It calms Vata and Kapha but can increase Pitta. It is considered one of the best herbs for Vata-related nervous disorders, and its large share of the earth element gives it a grounding effect.

One point of confusion is worth clearing up: Tagara is sometimes mixed up with celery seed (Nakhui), but they are different plants.

Indian Valerian's classical actions (karma) in the Bhavaprakash Nighantu include sleep-inducing, Vata-pacifying, Kapha-pacifying, pain-relieving, anti-toxic, heart-supporting and anti-parasitic. Here is how those translate into everyday uses.

Sleep

The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classes it as sleep-inducing (Nidrajanana) and lists sleeplessness (Anidra) first among its uses. It is a true sedative, used for insomnia that does not respond to gentler herbs. See Indian Valerian for insomnia.

Anxiety and the Restless Mind

The Sahasra Yoga drug index calls it "a nervine sedative used in anxiety and insomnia." It suits the restless, fearful, sleepless pattern of anxiety, where Vata is unsettled in the nervous system. See Indian Valerian for anxiety.

Seizures, Headache and Nerve Pain

Classical uses include epilepsy (Apasmara), psychosis (Unmada) and headache (Shirahshool). Its pain-relieving actions also make it a supporting herb for migraine and nerve inflammation where Vata drives the picture. It is a support alongside medical care, never a replacement for anti-epileptic medicine.

Digestion and Colic

It is described as carminative (easing gas), antispasmodic and stomachic. It is said to cleanse undigested residue (Ama) from the colon, blood, joints and nerves. That makes it useful for adult colic that flares with stress.

Heart, Skin and Other Classical Uses

The Bhavaprakash Nighantu calls it heart-supporting (Hridya) and anti-parasitic (Krimighna). It also lists eye diseases, poisoning and skin diseases (Kushtha) among its uses. Other indications recorded in our sources include nervous cough, palpitations, vertigo and menstrual cramps.

Indian Valerian is taken as a powder, a low-simmer decoction, an infusion (tea) or pills. The rhizome is the part used. Expect a strong smell; many people prefer capsules for that reason.

What to Take It With

The vehicle you take a herb with is called (Anupana). Warm water with a little honey is standard. Warm milk with a little ghee softens the taste and suits sleeplessness with muscle tension or palpitations.

Mixing it with Vacha (Calamus) in a 4 to 1 ratio is said to make it less dulling.

How Long

Use it in short courses of 4 to 6 weeks rather than as a long-term daily herb. For lasting support, Ayurveda moves on to gentler rejuvenating herbs such as Ashwagandha and Brahmi.

Indian Valerian is a strong herb, not a gentle tonic. Used in modest doses and short courses it has a long record of use, but there are clear limits.

Dose Limits

• Excessive use may dull the mind. It is considered dulling (tamasic) and is not recommended before meditation.
• Large doses should be avoided. Very high doses are said to cause paralysis by overly constricting Vata, and other severe conditions.
• Higher doses can leave you groggy the next morning.

Who Should Be Careful

• Pitta types: its heating potency can increase Pitta. Hot, burning or irritable patterns are a poor match.
• Pregnancy and young children: avoid it. It is not for infant colic.
• Before surgery: stop it, and tell your anaesthetist if you have been taking it.

Drug Interactions

Its sedation adds to benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, sedating antidepressants, gabapentin, pregabalin and alcohol. Do not combine them without your doctor's supervision, and never stop a benzodiazepine abruptly. Do not drive if you feel drowsy.

Our classical sources advise using it under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Indian Valerian is often weighed against other calming herbs. These are the comparisons our sources support.

Indian Valerian is a strong sedative, so who takes it matters as much as how much.

Pregnancy and Nursing

Avoid it in pregnancy. Our sources give no guidance that supports use while nursing, so check with a practitioner and your doctor before taking it.

Children

Avoid it in young children, and do not use it for infant colic. Gentler herbs are used for children under qualified guidance.

Elderly

Our sources do not give an age-specific dose. Because excess can dull the mind and cause morning grogginess, older adults, especially those already taking sleep or anxiety medicines, should start at the low end and only with their doctor's agreement.

Athletes and Active People

Our sources do not describe a performance use. Its sedating effect can carry into the morning, so take it in the evening and avoid driving or training while drowsy.

People with a Pitta Constitution

Its heating potency can increase Pitta. If you run hot, Jatamansi is the cooling alternative.