Page 222 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

The vertical rhizome of the Valerian plant hears small horizontal branches or stolons
at about the ground level and each of these develops a small rhizome or offset at
the distal end. Young offsets from wild plants are collected in the spring and are
planted in a well manured field of calcareous alluvial soil, in rows about 80 cm
apart. The large rhizomes begin to throw up flowering stems that are cut off about
a month after the plants are set. The smaller rhizomes form rosette of leaves. In
September or early October, the whole of the tops above the ground are cut off with
a scythe and the rhizomes are dug up. They are washed in running water. The
larger ones are sliced longitudinally or transversely and together with the entire
smaller rhizomes are dried slowly by spreading them on a floor perforated with holes
and heated by coke stove beneath it. Drying is usually complete about December.

Macroscopical Characters
The drug consists of rhizomes and roots, and stolons. The ovoid-cylindrical, light
grayish brown rhizome is about the size of a finger joint and bears many long roots.
These are light to medium grayish brown, 1-3 mm thick and several cm long, and are
partly covered with coarse longitudinal wrinkles. Stolons are rare in the drug, and
they are light grayish brown, with a somewhat gnarled appearance. Odor is
distinctive, disagreeable, characteristic, reminiscent of isovaleric acid. The taste is
sweetish camphoraceous and spicy, somewhat pungent and more or less bitter.

European Valerian Rhizome is erect, entire, or cut longitudinally. It is cylindrical
or spindle shape, 2-5 cm long, 1-3 cm thick. Externally, it is dull yellowish brown or
dark brown, sometimes crowned by the remains of stem bases and scale leaves, and
bears occasionally, short, horizontal branches, and numerous roots or their circular
scars. The fracture is short and horny. Internally, it is whitish or yellowish brown,
with an irregular outline, occasionally hollow. Its T. S. exhibits a comparatively
narrow bark traversed by root traces, and separated by a dark line, the cambium, from
a ring of small xylem bundles surrounding central large pith, having in the center
vertical series of cavities; separated by transverse septa. Stolon, if present; it is short;
horizontal; reddish brown, with internodes, each about 3 cm long and 2-2.5 mm in
diameter and longitudinally striated. Roots are separated or attached to the rhizome.
They are numerous, slender, cylindrical, usually plump; 2-12 or mostly 8-10 cm
long; 0.5-2 mm in diameter. Externally, its surface is grayish brown to brownish
yellow, longitudinally striated, with fibrous lateral rootlets, brittle. Internally, it
shows a wide bark and a narrow central stele.

Indian Valerian Rhizome is more pungent and camphoraceous than the European
one. It is horizontal, sub-cylindrical, slightly dorsiventral flattened, and usually
slightly curved, yellowish-brown; 2-8 cm long and 5-12 mm in diameter. Externally,
it has numerous adventitious fibrous roots or their rounded scars on both lateral
and lower sides, as well as scars of encircling leaves on the surface. Stolons are
mostly attached to rhizome and having no roots or their scars; slender; short,

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