Valerian, a perennial native plant to North America, Europe, and Asia, contains a root stock which harbors many active compounds that herbalists believe give this plant an amazing medicinal value. Valerian's effects can be both positive and negative, however, so we'll talk about both the health benefits of Valerian and possible side-effects of Valerian in this article.
First and foremost, Valerian's root stock has been shown to help fight insomnia in several cases. Promoting sleep, many people use this supplement to help rest easier at night. Valerian is not an addictive substance, and doesn't lead to the usually groggy "Sleep Hangover" that some people feel when they take sleep aids. For this reason, its use is widely accepted. Another of the health benefits of Valerian root would be its ability to put the user in a calm and relaxed state, helping to alleviate the effects of stress and anxiety. Valerian has also been used for such tasks as alleviating headaches, relieving pain, improving menstrual flow and cramps, and also for helping irritable bowel syndrome.
The side effects of Valerian root are worth considering. Many experts tend to agree that a dose between 250 mg to 500mg per day is an adequate dose of this supplement. Possible side effects from taking overly high amounts of Valerian can include nausea, headaches, dizziness, grogginess, and palpitations of the heart. Very high dosages may also impair the liver and the central nervous system. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid Valerian since its effects on newborns have not been tested. Also, taking Valerian for stretches of longer than 2 weeks is not recommended.
Now that you know more about Valerian root, you can make a more informed decision about whether the health benefits of Valerian outweigh the possible risks of taking it.
About the Author
John Gibb manages Nutritional supplements
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