Valerian Root As An Insomnia Cure

Valerian, a hardy perennial flowering plant with sweetly smelling pink or white flowers, grows in many parts of Europe and Asia and now also grows naturally in areas of North America. Other names commonly used for valerian include: garden valerian, and garden heliotrope (no relation to Heliotrope - Heliotropum).

Valerian is also known by various folk names: All-Heal, Amantilla, Bloody Butcher, Capon's Trailer, Cat's Valerian, English Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Phu, Red Valerian, St. George's Herb, Sets Wale, Set Well, and Vandal Root.

The principle components used for medicinal purposes are the roots and rhizomes (underground stems) and stolons (horizontal stems). Typically harvested in September, the dried roots can be used to prepare teas and tinctures, while the dried plant materials normally find their way into capsules or tablets.

There is reference to the use of valerian as a medicinal herb as far back as the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates described its therapeutic uses and, in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia. The 16th century saw it used to treat nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations. In the mid-19th century, many considered valerian a stimulant that caused some of the same complaints it is thought to treat and held it in low esteem as a medicinal herb. During World War II the English used it to relieve the stress of air raids.

Unlike many other natural herbal sleep aids, to gain the benefits of the effects of valerian you need to use it on a regular basis, with the full effects coming slowly and steadily over time.

Results will appear after about a month and regular use promotes deep relaxation and sleep. Several studies suggest valerian as by far the best natural solution for insomnia and general sleeplessness for many individuals.

Research at the Nestlé Research Laboratories in Switzerland showed that a 450 mg dose of valerian in an aqueous extract is the optimum dose as an insomnia treatment. A higher dose typically results in grogginess without increasing effectiveness, and therefore care should be taken when administering valerian as a treatment for insomnia.

Furthermore, a double-blind crossover study of 128 subjects carried out in 1982, found valerian root to not only be effective as a sedative for insomnia, but also to be effective in improving the overall quality of sleep in the test subjects.

Commonly prescribed as a calming sleep aid, valerian can also play a useful part in treating anxiety-related sleep problems.