Overview
Indian Valerian is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for eye disorders. Tagara is Ayurveda's nervine sedative for restless Vata: dried rhizome, 1-3g at bedtime, calms anxiety (Chittodvega), eases epilepsy, and quiets a racing mind.
How Indian Valerian Helps with Eye Disorders
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Indian Valerian has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing eye disorders:
- Taste (Rasa): hotpungent
Safety & Precautions
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.
Other Herbs for Eye Disorders
See all herbs for eye disorders on the Eye Disorders page.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
- Anidra (insomnia)
- Apasmara (epilepsy)
- Unmada (psychosis)
- Shirahshool (headache)
- Netra Roga (eye diseases)
- Visha (poisoning)
- Kushtha (skin diseases)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
Tikta Gana – group of bitters :त तः पदोल ाय ती वालकोशीर च दनम ् भू न ब न ब कटुका तगरा गु व सकम ् न तमाला वरजनी मु त मूवाट पकम पाठापामागकां यायोगुडू चध वयासकम ् प चमल ू ं महा या यौ वशाल अ त वषावचा Patoli, Trayanti – Gentiana kurroa, Valaka, Usira – Vetiveria zizanioides, Chandana – Sandalwood, Bhunimba – The creat (whole plant) – Andrographis paniculata, Nimba – Neem – Azadirachta indica, Katuka – Picrorhiza kurroa, Tagara – Indian Valerian (root) – Valeriana wallichi, Aguru, Vatsaka – Hol
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
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.