Valerian for Insomnia, Stress and Anxiety

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)is a perennial plant that reaches a height of five feet and grows wild throughout Europe and parts of Asia.

In many countries, Valerian was cultivated for medicinal purposes and has been used through the centuries to calm nervous jitters and bring on sleep.Today, it is an accepted over-the-counter insomnia remedy in Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy.

The ancient Greeks and Romans called valerian wild nard, but by the ninth century, it appeared in written records as valerian. It was recommended as a treatment for hysteria and emotional disorders. By the 1700s, physicians were recommending valerian for numerous complaints from living too luxuriously to having an ailment known as the vapors.

One eighteenth-century herbalist likened it to the urine of cats, so you can imagine that an herbal tea of valerian root is a less-than-exquisite sipping experience. Because of its strong smell, valerian is most commonly taken as pills or tincture.

The plant’s unmistakable odor emerges only during the drying process. Nevertheless its smell valerian is a wonderful herb for relaxing the body, both the mind and the muscles.

In herbal medicine today, valerian is primarily used for insomnia, mild anxiety, panic attacks, and tension in the body.

Valerian is classified as a mild tranquilizer. It’s also considered an antispasmodic, meaning that it eases muscle spasms or cramps in the body, and it has been used to relieve menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome. Valerian may also help for tension headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome.

A number of scientific studies have shown that valerian has a sedative effect on the brain, also relaxes muscles in the digestive tract that clench under stress, improves circulation, and reduces mucus from colds.

Long before over-the-counter and prescription sleeping pills became available, herbal sedatives were widely used.

Valerian is one of nature’s more popular herb that has been long used as a remedy for insomnia.

Today, it is an accepted over-the-counter insomnia remedy in Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy.

The herb hastens sleep, improves sleep quality, and reduces nighttime awakenings.

Once you fall asleep, the deep sleep stages are deepened. What’s more, you won’t wake up as often during the night, nor will you feel fatigued and drowsy in the morning.

According to the results of several studies, including one conducted in Germany in 1993, valerian helps you fall asleep more quickly, especially if you are elderly or a habitually poor sleeper. And once you do fall asleep, the deep sleep stages that are so important to a restful night are deepened.

The results of another study conducted in Germany showed that a combination of valerian and lemon balm sent even the worst sleepers off to dreamland as effectively as the drugs commonly prescribed for sleep.

Valerian’s active ingredients, found in the roots, include a group of compounds called valepotriates.

Research shows that these components attach to the same brain receptors as two types of pharmaceutical tranquilizers. Unlike the pharmaceuticals, however, valerian produces few side effects, and it doesn’t carry the risk of dependency.

Take 400 to 425 milligrams of Valerian Root one hour before bedtime in order the valerian plenty of time to wind down your nervous system.

Unlike some pharmaceuticals, valerian doesn’t interfere with the deepest part of the sleep cycle, called REM or dream sleep. There’s no hangover or grogginess the next day and little chance of dependency.

There’s far less risk of building up a tolerance to valerian or becoming dependent on it. 

One compound found in this herb depresses the central nervous system so well that the effect is similar to that of the sedative barbiturate phenobarbital. And valerian does this without causing any dizziness, blurred vision, drowsiness or poor physical performance and concentration the next day, as tranquilizers and barbiturates so often do. It does not even affect your dream recall or the ability to awaken refreshed in the morning. People in one study reported that they even felt much better the next day.

Valerian a mild herbal relaxant. You take it when you’re feeling stressed or when stress, anxiety, muscle tension, or muscle spasms bothering you and keeping you awake and causing you insomnia.

Valerian root can help relax these annoyances and help to fall asleep. It won’t put you to sleep, but it can relax you enough so you can fall asleep.

Its mild tranquilizing power has made valerian a popular treatment for anxiety; in Europe, it is often prescribed for that purpose.

A number of scientific studies have shown that valerian has a sedative effect on the brain and also relaxes muscles in the digestive tract that clench under stress.

About the Author

Dr.Inese Millere is Holistic Stress Management coach and consultant who assist women in leadership in creating stress management and work life balance strategies, and healthy lifestyle routines.

If you'd like to talk about coaching with me, please contact me directly at info@action4balance.com with a brief description of your situation.