Valerian Root: Can it Solve Your Sleep and Anxiety Woes?

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Valerian root benefits have different effects, depending on the living being it acts on animals or humans. While serving as a potent stimulant for animals, it has a notable sedative impact on humans. Thus, cats become euphoric when they smell the plant, joyfully rubbing against it. The aroma of the valerian, which becomes more potent when the plant is dry, does not have any particular attraction for humans since it resembles the smell of foot sweat. It is a matter of preference.

Valerian root has been employed in therapeutic science since the Renaissance when its property to prevent epileptic attacks was discovered.

Valerian Root Benefits and Healing Properties

The roots of Valerian contain around one percent of essential oil with antispasmodic action and many components (terpenes, borneol esters, etc.) and between one percent and five percent of valepotriates, substances to which valerian’s sedative effects were traditionally attributed. However, today, the most important agent of valerian root benefits is baldrinal, the valepotriates’ metabolite, called valtrate.

Valerian root benefits include tranquilizing, sedative, narcotic (favoring sleep), analgesic (calms aches), antispasmodic, and anticonvulsive effects. It produces sedation in the autonomic and central nervous systems, decreasing anxiety and blood pressure. Its action is similar to that of neuroleptic pharmaceuticals (fenotyazines and derivatives); however, it lacks the latter’s toxic effects. These are the indications of the valerian.

• Autonomic Nervous System Disorders (Symptom). Anxiety, anxiety neurosis, neurasthenia and irritability, headaches, palpitations, arrhythmia, essential blood pressure hypertension (with no organic cause), shivers, gastric neurosis (stomach nervousness), irritable colon, and other psychosomatic diseases.
• Tiredness and nervous depression.
• Insomnia. Due to its narcotic action, it renders good results when a bath reinforces its infusion before bedtime.
• Epilepsy. When regularly taken, it prevents epileptic attacks. However, it does not substitute anti-epileptic treatment, though it may help to reduce the dose.
• Asthma. Valerian root benefits are more prevalent in prevention than in treating acute asthma attacks, as with epilepsy. Its antispasmodic and sedative actions prevent bronchial spasms, one of the causes of asthma, and mucous membrane edema.
• Pain. Due to its analgesic action, it helps fight sciatic and rheumatic pain. Moreover, it also acts externally, applied to the affected area to ease pain in contusions, lumbago, sciatica, muscular strain, and rheumatic pain.

Valerian is a sedating and calming herb for all emotional disturbances and pain. However, it tends to stimulate a few individuals (because the essential oils were not changed into valerianic acid, the calming medicinal property). In every one, the herb will be stimulating for a little while until the oils are replaced.

This plant is beneficial when under emotional pain and stress. It is suitable for insomnia, migraines, nervous conditions, stomach cramps that cause vomiting, enemas for pinworms, stones in the bladder, neurasthenia, hysteria, colic, colds, low fevers, and fatigue. Valerian tea can minimize menstrual cramps, intestinal cramps, muscle pains, and bronchial spasms.

The herb also treats ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, paralysis, palsy, measles, hangover, and afterbirth pains. It can also lessen mucus caused by colds. The plant is primarily used in various herbal formulas. An effective bedtime tea for insomnia is ½ teaspoon of valerian root and ½ teaspoon of hops steeped in a cup of hot water.

The herb can be used as a wash for sores and pimples in external applications.

NOTE: Avoid boiling valerian because the essential oils will dissipate. Hops’ properties are similar and can be substituted.

Valerian is one of the leading over-the-counter sleep aids and tranquilizers in Europe. Ten controlled clinical studies have been published on valerian preparations. According to a recent study, it worked best as a sleep aid over a month rather than on a single-dose basis. In Germany, the herb was approved as a sedative in sleep-inducing preparations for nervous restlessness and to help fall asleep. Cats have been attracted to the scent of the root, like catnip. In eighteenth-century apothecaries, the quality of valerian root was determined by how cats reacted to it.

Valerian Root Scientific Facts

1. Other names: Fragrant valerian, all-heal, English valerian, German valerian, great wild valerian, heliotrope, setwall, vandal root, Vermont valerian, wild valerian.
2. French: Valeriane, herbe aux chats.
3. Spanish: Valeriana, hierba de los gatos.
4. Environment: It grows on roadsides, forest borders, meadows, and river banks in Europe, except in the Mediterranean. It has also been naturalized in North America and South America.
5. Description: This is a herbaceous plant of the Valerianaceae family. Its upright, hollowed, furrowed stems grow from 0.5 to 2 m high, and its little pink flowers gather in terminal clusters.
6. Parts of the plant used medicinally: Root and rhizome.

How to use Valerian

1. Infusion.
2. Cold extract.
3. Root powder.
4. Compresses
5. Add one or two liters of a decoction similar to that prepared for compresses for warm water baths with soothing action.

Decoction: Simmer for five to fifteen minutes and take three ounces three times daily. Tincture: Take ½ to one teaspoon three times daily. Fluid Extract: Take ½ teaspoon three times daily. Oil: Five drops three times daily. Powder: Take two to three #0 capsules (10 to 15 grains) thrice daily.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 172, 173. Print. [valerian root benefits]
2. Vance Ferrell Harold M. Cherne, M.D. The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia [Book]. – Altamont, TN: Harvestime Books, 2010. – Vol. Seventh Edition: 7: pp. 184.
3. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/valerian
4. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-valerian-root