Valeriana officinalis (more commonly known as valerian) has been long used as a tranquilizer. The plant is native to Europe, North America, and parts of northern Asia. It was popularly used in ancient Greece and Rome to treat heart conditions, and was hailed as a cure-all during the Middle Ages.
Valerian is mainly used in treating the nervous system and calming the whole body. It can be used as a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, digestive toner, and sedative. If you have heard of or used valerian, it was probably in relation to sleep. Valerian can help you fall asleep more easily and wake feeling more rested. Unlike other sleep aids, most people who use valerian do not feel groggy or sluggish when they wake up.
The dried roots of valerian store well and can be used in teas or in a soothing pre-bedtime bath. Valerian is also used for relieving mild headaches and menstrual cramps. Just 2-3 grams of the dried root steeped in boiling water and taken before bed can help you sleep. Valerian is also available in capsules that can be taken a few hours before bedtime.
If you are planning to grow valerian, be warned that though the plant looks pretty, the leaves have a sharp and unpleasant smell.
You should not use valerian as a sleep aid for more than two weeks at a time; like many sleep aids, it can be habit-forming. See your doctor if you are experiencing insomnia for more than two weeks. For mild sleeping problems, you can try other methods to get a good night’s sleep.
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Although there are few long-term studies on the effectiveness and safety of valerian, the American Academy of Family Physicians believes that it is a safe herbal choice for treating mild insomnia and can be helpful in weaning patients off benzodiazepines and other sleep aids. However, using valerian with drugs like anesthetics or barbiturates can increase the sedative effects.