Composition of the Essential Oil from Roots and Rhizomes ofValeriana wallichii DC.

Abstract

The volatile constituents isolated from roots and rhizomes of Valeriana wallichii DC. ( = V. jatamansi Jones) were investigated by GC and GC–MS (EI and NICI) analysis. The plant material was obtained from different sources, namely from a local market in Kathmandu (Nepal), from plants grown in The Netherlands and in Germany, and from commercially available material from several German importers. The various roots and rhizomes yielded between 0.09 and 1.30% (v/w) essential oil on a dry weight basis. The main constituents of the oils from the plants grown in Europe were an unidentified sesquiterpene hydrocarbon, α-santalene, ar-curcumene and xanthorrhizol. In the oils from the Nepalese material and from the commercially available roots, except in one sample, patchouli alcohol was the main component. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.