A pubescent herb, up to 1.5 m in height. Rootstocks descending, fibrous; radical leaves few, long-petioled, ovate, dropping off before fruiting; cauline leaves pinnate or deeply pinnatifid with lanceolate leaflets or segments; flowers white, often unisexual, in cymose clusters, forming axillary, compound corymbs or panicles; fruit ovateoblong, compressed, 2-3 mm long, brown, with spreading calycinal hairs.

Bitter, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, nervine and stimulant (root); antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue, diaphoretic and stimulant (plant)

Plants for a Future

Valerianic acid

Rheumatism and low blood pressure, painful menstruation, cramps, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, ulcers and minor injuries

Sharma PV. Classical Uses of Medicinal Plants.