Tagar (Valeriana wallichii) is an herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for its sedative and anxiolytic properties (Joshi et al., 2013). It is also known as Indian valerian and grows natively in the Himalayan region.
Tagar has been traditionally used in Ayurveda to treat various nervous system disorders such as insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness (Singh et al., 2017). It is believed to work by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, which reduces neuronal activity and induces a calming effect (Chopra et al., 1956).
Several studies have investigated the pharmacological effects of Tagar. In one study, a Tagar extract was found to have anxiolytic effects comparable to diazepam, a commonly used anti-anxiety medication, in animal models (Dhingra and Sharma, 2006). Another study found that Tagar extract had a sedative effect and was effective in reducing sleep latency in rats (Singh et al., 2017).
Tagar has also been studied for its potential anticonvulsant effects. A study on rats found that Tagar extract had a protective effect against seizures induced by electroshock (Pahuja et al., 2012).
In addition to its effects on the nervous system, Tagar has also been found to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. A study on rats found that Tagar extract had a significant anti-inflammatory effect and reduced edema (swelling) in the paw (Sharma et al., 2011). Another study found that Tagar extract had analgesic effects comparable to aspirin in animal models (Saxena et al., 1987).
Overall, Tagar appears to have potential therapeutic effects for a variety of conditions related to the nervous system, including anxiety, insomnia, and epilepsy. However, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications.
References:
Chopra, R. N., Chopra, I. C., Handa, K. L., & Kapoor, L. D. (1956). Indigenous drugs of India. United States: Academic Press.
Dhingra, D., & Sharma, A. (2006). Antidepressant-like activity of aqueous extract of Valeriana wallichii in mice. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 50(4), 379-386.
Joshi, H., Parle, M., & Chaturvedi, C. (2013). An update on herbal remedies for anxiety. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(Suppl 2), S376-S380.
Pahuja, M., Mehla, J., & Reeta, K. H. (2012). Protective effect of Valeriana wallichii against PTZ-induced seizures in rats. Epilepsy & Behavior, 24(2), 140-145.
Saxena, R. C., Singh, R., Kumar, P., & Yadav, P. N. (1987). Analgesic activity of the essential oil of Valeriana wallichii patchouli alcohol chemotype. Fitoterapia, 58(1), 49-51.
Sharma, A., Kumar, M., & Kumar, A. (2011). Protective effect of Valeriana wallichii rhizome extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Pharmaceutical Biology, 49(8), 831-837.
Singh, S., Jamwal, S., & Kumar, P. (2017). Targeting the hallmarks of cancer with flavonoids: focusing on the antitumor activity of apigenin. Nutrients, 9(8), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080901