A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF TAGARA (VALERIANA WALLICHII): BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION, TRADITIONAL USES, PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS, AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL

Valeriana wallichii DC. (Valerianaceae), known as Tagara, is a slightly hairy, tufted perennial herb growing 15-45 cm tall. It has a thick, horizontal rhizome with many fibrous roots and bears small white to pale pink flowers in compact terminal corymbs. It is valued for sedative, anxiolytic, antioxidant, and antidepressant properties. This review aims to provide a detailed and updated overview of the pharmacological properties, therapeutic potential, and mechanisms of action of Valeriana wallichii, focusing on its traditional uses and recent experimental evidence. A systematic literature review was conducted, scrutinizing classical Ayurvedic texts alongside contemporary scientific databases such as SciFinder, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. Evidence indicates that methanolic and aqueous extracts of Valeriana wallichii exhibit significant anti-inflammatory effects. Extracts derived from roots and rhizomes demonstrate sedative, anxiolytic, antioxidant, and antidepressant activities. Leaf extracts show antimicrobial and additional anti-inflammatory properties. Mechanistically, these biological effects are attributed to potentiation of GABAergic neurotransmission, modulation of monoaminergic systems (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine), enhancement of antioxidant defenses to mitigate oxidative stress, and stabilization of neurochemical homeostasis.  These activities collectively suggest promising applications in managing neurological disorders, improving cognitive function, and preventing neurodegeneration. Valeriana wallichii exhibits diverse pharmacological effects supporting its traditional use and potential in neurological therapy. To realize its clinical benefits, well-designed multicenter trials using standardized extracts are essential to clarify the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and efficacy of its active compounds.