In western herbal medicine valerian has been used as a carminative and digestive aid. It has been used as an anti-spasmodic along with papaverine, belladonna, in spastic conditions of the smooth muscle as in spastic colitis. It is popularly prescribed for its sedative effects. Large quantities of valerian are used in perfumery.

Indian valerian species are indicated in traditional medicine for hysteria, hypochondriasis, and nervous troubles as an ingredient of several ayurvedic formulations.

Folk use indications are for epilepsy, headache, urinary tract disorders, throat inflammation, emmenagogue, anti-perspirant, diuretic and as an anodyne.

Valerian is available in several dosage forms such as expressed juice, tincture, dried extracts, and other galenical preparations. Externally it is used as a bath additive.

Nardostachys jatamansii, commonly called “Jatamansi” referring to the braided external appearance of its roots, has been used for many centuries in indigenous medicine as a sedative in nervous disorders. In combination with other herbs it is given in the treatment of muscle pains, dysmenorrhoea, headache, and in some forms of epilepsy. An ancient and reputed drug of Indo-Greek trade it is a constituent of the Spikenard ointment much regarded by ancient Romans for its medicinal properties. Though used interchangeably with European valerian, the essential oil of jatamansi is much more agreeable in taste and odor and has been much prized in perfumery world over for its woody aromatic odor.

Pharmacology

Aqueous and alcoholic extracts have shown sedative activity with in vitro studies establishing the binding of valerian extract constituents to γ–amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors and adenosine receptors (that are barbiturate and benzodiazepine binding receptors). In vivo studies have shown that the sedative activity is due to the presence of high concentrations of glutamine in the extracts. It is known that glutamine is taken up by nerve terminals and then metabolized to GABA. Spasmolytic activity is reported to be due to valtrate and dihydrovaltrate, which are demonstrated to act both centrally—in the direct relaxation of smooth muscles, and locally by regulating the entry of calcium into smooth muscle cells.

Clinical data supports the sedative effect of the aqueous root extract. Though the sedative effect is attributed to the sesquiterpene constituents of the volatile oil, it is believed to be a synergistic effect of many constituents.

Thus valerian is indicated for use as a sleep-promoting agent in the treatment of nervous excitation and in anxiety-induced sleep disturbances as a milder alternative to strong synthetic sedatives.

Dried alcohol extract of jatamansii is reported with anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-arrhythmic, dopaminergic, hypnotic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, negative ionotropic, and negative chronotropic activity. In experimental animals, it has also shown a beneficial hypolipidaemic effect. Spikenard oil has shown anti-convulsant, hypotensive, and tranquillizing effect. Jatamansi acts primarily upon the nervous system, inducing a natural sleep, without any adverse effect upon awakening, and appears to lack the stimulating effects that a certain number of people experience with Valerian. The most common usage of Jatamansi is as a nervine sedative in the treatment of insomnia, or to treat chronic irritability and nervousness, with exhaustion and debility.