What Is
Valerian Herb?
For centuries, the tall perennial herb with pinkish flowers
known as Valerian Herb (
Valerian Herb
officinalis) has been enlisted to help restless insomniacs get a
sound night's sleep. Today this mild, nonaddictive sedative is
quite popular both as a sleep aid and as an anxiety fighter,
particularly in Germany, France, Belgium, and the United
Kingdom. And in recent years its popularity has grown enormously
in the United States as well.
This graceful plant grows wild in North America, Europe, and
Asia. Its underground stems and roots are harvested and dried to
make healing preparations.
Health Benefits of
Valerian Herb
Although there has long been controversy over what makes
Valerian Herb so
effective as a relaxant, it is increasingly accepted that this
herb does, in fact, work as the ancients once claimed it did. In
addition to promoting sound sleep,
Valerian Herb
has a reputation for easing anxiety and relaxing tense muscles.
It may also have a role to play in relieving digestive
conditions, such as diverticulosis and irritable bowel syndrome.
Valerian Herb
added to bath water in the form of a very strong herbal tea or
as an essential oil is said to have a calming effect, although
specific scientific evidence is sparse.
Specifically,
Valerian Herb
may help to:
* Improve sleep by
Valerian Herb.
In the brain, Valerian Herb is thought to bind to receptors for
a nerve chemical called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). By
blocking some nerve impulses from reaching the brain, the herb
seems to shorten the amount of time it takes to fall asleep as
well as improve the quality of sleep that results. And, unlike
some of the more commonly prescribed sleep medications,
Valerian Herb is
not addictive. Nor does it cause morning grogginess (when taken
at recommended doses), as some prescription drugs do.
Valerian Herb
may also be useful for people without insomnia per se. In a 1983
trial that involved 128 healthy people, those assigned to take a
Valerian Herb
root preparation were far more likely to fall asleep faster than
those given a placebo. The
Valerian Herb
group also tended to stay asleep longer. Overall sleep quality
improved significantly, particularly in those who rated
themselves as poor sleepers to start with.
* Reduce nervous tension, anxiety, and restlessness by
Valerian Herb.
German health authorities endorse the use of
Valerian Herb
for restlessness and sleeping disorders that are caused
specifically by nervous conditions. In fact, anyone who suffers
from stress, panic attacks, or other nervous conditions may want
to give
Valerian Herb a
try.
Valerian Herb is
thought to lessen anxiety because in blocking brain receptors
for the neurotransmitter GABA, it also inhibits nerve impulses
and stress-related messages from reaching the brain. More
research is needed, however.
* Lessen stomach cramps and improve digestive system disorders
by
Valerian Herb.
Animal testing and clinical research indicates that
Valerian Herb
has antispasmodic properties. This may explain why it's valuable
for countering spasms of the muscle tissue in the digestive
tract and easing the intestinal pain that frequently accompanies
irritable bowel syndrome. The herb's calming effect may also
contribute to healing; after all, many digestive disorders are
provoked by stress.
Note:
Valerian Herb
has also been found to be useful for a number of other
disorders. For information on these additional ailments, see our
Dosage Recommendations Chart for
Valerian Herb.
Forms of
Valerian Herb
* tincture
* tablet
* softgel
* liquid
* dried herb/tea
* capsule
Special Products by
Valerian Herb:
Valerian Root by
Nature's Answer Promotes A Tranquil Sleep
Valerian Power
by Nature's Herbs
Valerian Extract
by Nature's Way with Glycerin
Valerian Root by
NOW Foods
About the author:
Herbs & Nutrition Analyst
