Valerian is a perennial herb which grows upto 1 metre in height. Its rootstock is thicker than the stem, producing suckers or shoots rising from the ground. The stems are furrowed, hairy below and smooth above, whereas its lower leaves are long compared to the smaller upper leaves. The plant has small, white flowers in small clusters and small and smooth fruit. The rhizomes and roots of the plant constitute the main use. The herb contains valerianic, formic and acetic acids, in addition to an essential oil, resin, starch, a glucoside and two alkaloids chatrine and valerianine.
