Tagara Valeriana Wallichii is also known as Bala-Tagra, Sugandh- Bala, and Indian Valerian. The roots or rhizome of the plants is used for medicinal purpose.
Also Read: Tagar (Valerian) Uses, Benefits, Dosage, and Side effects
Tagara is a Himalayan plant found in temperate regions, Kashmir, Bhutan, and Afghanistan. In Energetics, Tagar is bitter, pungent, sweet, astringent, hot- pungent, and Pitta increasing.
Tagara is specifically useful in curing Vrana (ulcer), and vitiated Kapha as well as blood. It has properties similar to kushta. Tagara is reduced phlegm but increases the heat inside the body.
Tagar is one of the best herbs for Vayu nervous disorders as it clears nerve channels from excess Vata. It cleanses undigested toxins (Ama) from the colon, blood, joints, and nerves.
Tagar is nervine, sedative, antispasmodic, carminative, laxative, hypotensive, anxiolytic, and aromatic. It is used in insomnia, panic attacks, and lack of concentration caused by high Vata, and Kapha. It is an herb more suitable for high Vata, and Kapha Prakriti.
Tagar Side effects
Valerian or Tagara or Valeriana wallichii is useful Ayurvedic medicine as an analeptic, antispasmodic, carminative, sedative, muscle relaxant, analgesic, and also possess anti-inflammatory property. It has sedative-hypnotic properties.
German Commission E recognizes the internal use of valerian for restlessness, and sleeping disorders based on nervousness. Tagar induces sedation by reducing irritability, and helps in anxiety, tension, panic attacks, and insomnia in humans.
Tagar Valerian formulations are used to treat sleeplessness, and anxiety. Adverse reactions to valerian preparations are rare but it may cause headache, excitability, uneasiness, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), mydriasis (dilated pupils), and daytime sedation.
In a few cases, unexpected stimulation including restlessness, and palpitation (sensation of fast or irregular heartbeat) has been experienced by a small percentage of people after long-term consumption. Some the liver problems in rare cases have also been associated with valerian use.
While taking valerian, caution should be used when driving or operating machinery.
Tagar Can Dull the Mind
Tagar is a herbal sedative, and tranquilizer. Tranquilizer refers to calming mental state, and Sedative refers to calming of anxiety but may also impair alertness.
Excessive use of Tagar may dull the mind, and may cause central paralysis, and other severe conditions. When taken for the long term as it can cause mental depression in some people.
In case, you are taking sedative drugs such as benzodiazepines, don’t take valerian in addition to them, except under physician supervision.
Tagar Increases Heat Inside Body
Tagar can increase the heat inside the body. Excess heat is an unsuitable condition which can lead to sleep disturbance, burning sensation in the eyes-hands, uneasiness in the stomach, ulcers, digestion problems like acidity, and gas.
Tagar Can Cause Rapid Heart Beat
Long-term use of valerian root can lower the blood pressure, and increase the heartbeat.
Tagar Increases Pitta
Pitta is responsible for digestion, metabolism, and transformation in the body. In the case of Pitta Dosha, the person can experience acid indigestion or heartburn, fatty diarrhea, blood in the stools, inflammation of the stomach or esophagus, appendicitis, and peptic ulcers.
The adverse events probably linked to the consumption of valerian root gastrointestinal symptoms e.g. nausea, abdominal cramps (unknown frequency) have been reported.
Tagar Can Cause Sleep Loss
Tagar increases heat, and Pitta. A person with Pitta Prakriti should take Tagar with caution. High Pitta increases aggravated heat, and result in insomnia.
In case you are experiencing any of the above side effects then try to overcome these by adjusting the dosage, and use it with other appropriate cooling herbs or consult a doctor.