Indian Valerian, a Highly Endangered Medicinal Plant in North Eastern Himalayan Region

Indian Valerian (Valeriana jatamansi Jones), newly introduced endangered medicinal plant in North Eastern Himalayan region to the hilly region of West Bengal (Kalimpong 27.06°N 88.47°E) was conserved in field gene banks in Kalimpong regional research station for its highly active medicinal properties. The plant is known to be short medicinal herb and has distinct dimorphism in the floral biology and gynodioecious character. The plants were found to have flowering period in between January to April which was otherwise found in North Western Himalayas as per reports. The plants were found to have major active phytochemicals in the roots and rhizomes responsible for preventing epilepsy, snake and scorpion bite, cholera, dementia, nerve diseases of human beings. Conservation of this plant should be carefully taken in order to avoid the genetic drift and depletion of genetic base in any ex situ conservation worldwide.