Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), often known as garden heliotrope, is a European and Asian herb. This plant’s root has been used to cure sleeplessness, anxiety, tremors, migraines and palpitations since ancient times.
There are around 250 valerian species, but Valeriana officinalis is the most often utilised in the Western world. Furthermore, only two of them are widely used in medicine.
Valerian supplements are usually made from the roots and stems of plants and can be ingested as tea, tincture capsules and tablets.
So how do you take valerian? We’re covering this below. But first, let’s quickly discuss the benefits of valerian and valerian supplements.
Benefits of Valerian
Enhances sleep quality
Valerian has a calming effect and has been used for over 2000 years to induce relaxation and enhance sleep, particularly in those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, HIV, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
One of the primary results is a reduction in sleep disturbances or the amount of time required to fall asleep, without generating addiction or health hazards.
When used correctly, it may be an excellent alternative to sleeping drugs for people suffering from long-term sleep difficulties.
Alleviates anxiety
Valerian is also known as diazepam in nature because of its same effects on anxiety reduction as drugs in the bezodiazepines family, valium and xanax.
Helps with stress management
Valerian raises GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) levels in the brain, which are low during short or extended durations of stress. It also lowers blood pressure and minimises bodily responses during stressful conditions.
Improves hyperactivity and concentration in ADHD youngsters
Valerian raises GABA levels in the brain, and GABA deficit causes anxiety, agitation, and compulsive behavior, all of which are symptoms common in children with ADHD.
Alleviates menstruation cramps
Valerian has been shown in tests to reduce muscular spasms and to stop uterine muscle contractions.
Improves menopausal symptoms
In a study of 100 menopausal women who were no longer getting enough sleep, 30 percent of those who got valerian were able to wish for better sleep after four weeks.
Promotes heart health
According to research, valerian helps to strengthen blood vessels and enhance suppleness, both of which are helpful to heart health.
Additionally, after eating valerian, blood pressure is decreased, with blood vessels expanding and relaxing.
Other benefits of valerian drops and tablets include:
- Reduces the frequency of epileptic episodes
- Relieves dizziness
- Alleviates intestinal issues
- It can be used as a home cure for stomach cramps since it reduces muscular spasms after eating.
- Enhances memory and cognitive function
- Protects against renal disease
- If cholesterol levels are high, valerian might protect the kidneys from problems caused by excess fat.
- Alleviates migraines and headaches
- Alleviates knee discomfort
How to take valerian for insomnia?
Now that we’ve done a quick recap of its benefits, time to move on to how to take valerian.
Valerian is a safe and efficient insomnia treatment. It has been used as a medicinal herb since antiquity in the treatment of sleep disturbances.
This is because valerian increases sleep, allowing for more and better slumber. These positive benefits of the plant on insomnia are due to its effects on neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).
You can take valerian as tea, tincture, powder or tablets. Powdered valerian isn’t very common.
- A cup of valerian tea in the evening before going to bed.
- Valerian tincture for insomnia – 20-30 drops diluted in water or a cup of tea at bedtime.
- Valerian powder is taken before going to bed as a teaspoon shaved with a little water.
Another approach is to take food supplements in tablet form. The benefit is that valerian tablets are generally easier and more convenient to take if a cup of tea isn’t… your cup of tea (pun intended).
How to take valerian for anxiety?
Valerian root is utilised as a safe natural alternative to pharmaceutical medications such as xanax and valium.
This is due to the fact that valerian acid, a chemical contained in valerian root, works on GABA receptors in the brain, boosting the quantity of this neurotransmitter recognised for its relaxing and inhibitory impact on overloaded neurons.
In a 2015 research at Harvard Medical School on 12 of the most often used herbs to treat anxiety (including hops, Gotu kola, ginkgo, and chamomile), valerian performed the best for treating anxiety-related with various mental illnesses.
– 200mg valerian root extract can be taken 1-3 times a day to ease symptoms.
– If you prefer tincture, combine 20-30 drops in a little liquid (such as tea or water) and take 1-3 times per day, or follow the label’s directions.
Unlike pharmaceutical medications, valerian has no addictive properties, which means you can take valerian in the long term without the risk of becoming too dependent on it.
Valerian contraindications
Before you take valerian, make sure you’re aware of any interactions with other medications or substances. For example, you shouldn’t take valerian with alcohol.
The use of valerian in conjunction with other sedative or antidepressant medications. Valerian can enhance the effects of sedatives, antidepressants, barbiturates, and anti-anxiety drugs, necessitating a dose change, and should not be used without first seeing your doctor.
It may interact with other products or plants that have the similar effect of relaxing the body and producing sleep, such as St. John’s wort, melatonin, or kava kava.
Valerian, as you can see, protects the body not only from the inside but also from the outside. Valerian has antimicrobial characteristics that heal many skin disorders and includes vital fatty acids that nourish the skin profoundly, reducing the formation of wrinkles when applied in the form of essential oil, poultice, lotions, and creams.
Valerian can also be ingested in the form of tea, pills, and liquid extracts. Valerian-based treatment should be continued for at least four weeks since the good benefits on patients suffering from sleep difficulties, panic attacks, and anxiety are observed over time.
Valerian tinctures, tablets and teas aid in the regulation of sleep disturbances and the reduction of stress. They have a relaxing impact on the body and help to alleviate anxiety.
Pregnant or nursing women, and children under the age of three, since there haven’t been enough research to know if it has any effect.
Valerian enhances the effects of anesthesia, thus it is best to avoid it before surgery.