A slightly hairy perennial herb with thick and horizontal rootstock. Basal leaves are long stalked, deeply cordate-obovate, usually toothed or sinute and sharp pointed. Stem leaves are few, much smaller and entire or pinnate. Flowers are white or tinged with pink in terminal corymb; often unisexual. The fruits are hairy or nearly hairless.

Sedative and kills bacteria (rhizome and root), alleviates spasms and expectorant (root), antibacterial (essential oil), antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, hypnotic, nervine, stimulant.

Acetic acid, arachidonic acid, beta-sitosterol, formic acid, linoleic acid, malic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, propionic acid (root); valepotriates (monoterpenic derivates), and gamma-patchoulene (root essential oil); valtrate, cyclopentapyrans and didrovaltvate (rhizome and root).

Substitute for Valeriana dubia, also in eye, spleen and blood diseases, in fever (as a stimulant) and as an expectorant (root), anxiety and emotional disorders such as hysteria, painful menstruation and cramps, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome etc. It encourages sleep, improve sleep quality and reduce blood pressure. Externally, it is used to treat eczema, ulcers and minor injuries.

East Indian valerian is contraindicated during pregnancy; Valeriana jatamansi Jones (syn. V. wallichii DC) is reputed to be an abortifacient and to affect the menstrual cycle.

Chandel et al.,Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.