Who Shouldnt Take Valerian Root
Although valerian root is generally considered safe, the following people shouldnt take it:
- Women who are pregnant or nursing. The risk to the developing baby hasnt been evaluated, though a 2007 study in rats determined that valerian root most likely doesnt affect the developing baby.
- Children younger than 3 years of age. The safety of valerian root hasnt been tested in children under 3.
Dont combine valerian root with alcohol, other sleep aids, or antidepressants.
Also avoid combining it with sedative drugs, such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines . Valerian root also has a sedative effect, and the effect can be addictive.
If youre taking any medications, ask your doctor if its safe to take valerian root. Valerian root may also increase the effects of anesthesia. If youre planning to have a surgery, inform your doctor and anesthesiologist that youre taking valerian root.
Valerian Root For Anxiety Reviews
A look at valerian root for anxiety reviews can help reveal a lot of things about the herb and its effectiveness in relieving social disorders. If you are suffering from symptoms such as heart palpitations, trembling, stressed caused by nausea, breathing problems or difficulties, excessive sweating, depersonalization and so on, then you are likely to be suffering from anxiety. Here are some sampled reviews and comments of users who have tried valerian extract for this problem:
- I struggle with day/night time anxietyIve been taking about 1,500 2,000 mg a day Valerian Root did not cure my anxiety. It only helps me manage the physical symptoms.
- I had anxiety symptoms, but, being desperate for sleepI took it. I slept well the whole night, but had some crazy dreams! I wish we could purchase this as a pharmaceutical that would guarantee quality and potency.
Most users who put in their valerian root for anxiety reviews noted that it is effective, easy to use and produces satisfactory results in calming down social or mild anxiety.
How To Take Valerian Root For Sleep
There is no official dosage recommended for people wanting to take valerian root. Most research studies of valerian roots effect on sleep have people take 300 to 600 milligrams, once per day, on a regular basis.
When taking a supplement, it is often best to start with a low dose, then gradually increase it over time, if needed. Talk to your doctor before starting valerian root to discuss dosage and if it is the best sleep aid for you.
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Side Effects Of Valerian Root
Most people who use this herb do not have severe side effects.
Side effects include:
Rarely these additional side effects may occur, in which case contact your doctor immediately. Rare side effects include memory problems, hallucinations, restlessness, trouble speaking, trouble walking, and muscle weakness.
Consider Trying Valerian if
Valerian root is most valuable for those who have insomnia. If you have trouble sleeping, mainly due to racing thoughts and anxiety, this may be the herb for you.
How To Determine A Credible Herbal Company
Many valerian root products are adulterated, as are many other herbs. To purchase a product with therapeutic benefits always buy from credible companies.
Credible companies: have testimonials and good reviews list ingredients on products uphold quality procedures for extracting and producing the herb.
I always do extensive online research before deciding upon a credible product or purchase from companies that I have used in the past.
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Uses And Recommended Dosage
Valerian has been classified as generally recognized as safe in the United States. It can be purchased as a dietary supplement or herbal supplement in a variety of forms online or at your local health food store. Its sold as a dry powdered extract in capsule form, a tea, tincture or fluid extract.
Valerian can also be used externally in essential oil form.
Valerian seems to be most effective after you take it regularly for two or more weeks. It may take a few weeks before the effects of valerian root herbal supplements are noticed.
For sleep disorders, it may be taken one to two hours before bedtime or up to three times in the course of the day, with the last dose near bedtime.
Whats the best valerian root recommended dosage for sleep disorders? Recommendations can vary slightly, but for insomnia, it can be taken in the following forms at these recommended dosages:
- Tea: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoonful of dried root, steep 5 to 10 minutes.
- Tincture : 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoon
- Fluid extract : 1/2 to 1 teaspoon
- Dry powdered extract : 250 to 600 milligrams
Once sleep improves, its recommended that you keep taking valerian for two to six weeks. For anxiety, try 120 to 200 milligrams, three to four times per day.
How Is Valerian Root Used For Social Anxiety
Valerian root is derived from a plant that originally comes from Europe and Asia. Valerian root has sedative effects and has been used for thousands of years to remedy various conditions such as arthritis, digestive problems, and headaches. Its most common use is to treat sleep problems and anxiety.
While the supplement is not FDA-approved for any medical use, it is generally considered safe for adults for short-term use.
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Valerian Root For Mild Anxiety And As Sleep Remedy
We find the first record of Valerians modern use as a sleep aid in monastic medicine. A manuscript dating back to the late 9th century states the following of Valerian for anxiety.
In the case of excessive insomnia it provides the appropriate sleep, it frees you from exhaustion, takes away the inertia.
The remedy goes beyond promoting good sleep. Rather we associate it with supporting a balancing effect. The philosophy of balance or disctretio shows-up throughout Hildegards medical teachings.
To Reduce Blood Pressure
Given that valerian has such a calming effect on the body and the mind, it is hardly a surprise to learn that it can also help reduce blood pressure levels. By reducing blood pressure, it can also have a beneficial effect on your heart. According to research, the very same properties that make valerian effective for sleep and relaxation help your body to regulate and maintain a healthy blood pressure.
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How Does Valerian Work
Valerian calms the nervous system and influences GABA receptors, working centrally at the level of the brain and promoting both emotional and physical relaxation. It appears to be this modulation of GABA-A receptors that produces the anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety, effects of this powerful herb. Valerian also acts as an antispasmodic and by calming the physical tension in the body it can help you relax and feel calmer.
Valerinic acid is thought to be one of the compounds responsible for this effect on GABA receptors. Valerinic acid is a fascinating compound that isn’t found anywhere else in nature: it is unique to the valerian plant! But, as with all herbal medicines, it is not just one phytochemical that brings about the healing effects. Valerian contains at least 17 sesquiterpenes, including valerinic acid. These are all thought to be responsible for the calming effects of valerian.
These sesquiterpenes are a type of essential oil, also called a volatile oil. These are compounds that cause a plant to smell and they evaporate easily, filling our noses with their aromatic particles when we smell the plant or the tincture! But these volatile oils can also be significantly diminished in the drying process. For this reason, I always recommend a fresh plant extract of valerian to get the maximum benefits.
Valerian Root May Help You Sleep Better
One of the most studied benefits of valerian is its ability to improve sleep.
Research suggests that taking valerian root may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, as well as improve sleep quality and quantity .
A 2020 review that included 60 studies concluded that valerian could be a safe and effective treatment to promote sleep and prevent associated disorders .
In the same 2021 study in 39 people undergoing hemodialysis mentioned earlier in this article, people had higher quality sleep when they took 530 mg of valerian root 1 hour before bedtime for 1 month, compared with a placebo .
In a 2017 study that included 120 people with sleep disturbances, one group took 2 pills of an herbal supplement called Vagonotte 30 minutes before their scheduled bedtime for 20 days.
They fell asleep faster, slept longer, and had fewer nighttime awakenings than the placebo group (
8 ).
A high quality study from 2011 looked at the effects of valerian extract in 100 postmenopausal women who were experiencing insomnia.
Those who received 530 mg of valerian extract twice a day for 4 weeks had significantly improved sleep quality compared with those who took a placebo .
Moreover, 30% of the women in the valerian group experienced sleep improvements, compared with just 4% in the placebo group .
However, not all studies have found that valerian provides sleep benefits.
Yet the study did find that the valerian treatment led to improvements in fatigue .
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Valerian Root Dosage For Anxiety
Do you know how much valerian root to take for anxiety? Valerian root dosage for anxiety is a very important aspect of trying this medicinal herb. Some people have reported undesirable side effects of valerian root when they consumed too much of it, meaning that the dose was inappropriate for whatever reason they were taking it. So, what is the right valerian root anxiety dosage?
The right dosage will always depend on the use. For instance, the dose of valerian root for treating and calming anxiety is different from that of sleep disorders and treatment of depression. Various forms have different dosage prescriptions. For instance, some bottles containing tablets of valerian have a prescription of 3 tablets before bedtime. This makes a dose of 1500mg.
You can take valerian in an herbal tincture or as valerian root tea for treating anxiety. The University of Maryland Medical Center, on valerian root for anxiety, recommends a dosage of 150mg two or three times a day to help reduce anxiety symptoms. However, this is only considered as a dosage guideline for anxiety.
How Do You Take Valerian Root
The two most common consumption types for valerian are tea and capsule. Taking valerian in a capsule or tablet allows for higher doses that may be beneficial for severe sleep disorders.
One study showed that a dose of 400-900 milligrams daily has similar sedative effects as a commonly prescribed drug known as diazepam . Valium is a pharmaceutical often used to treat anxiety, reduce muscle spasms, and act as a sedative for medical procedures.
- Tea: prepared from the dried roots of valerian, loose leaf tea is preferred for fuller flavor and higher potential for therapeutic benefits.
*If you have never made loose leaf tea before, you need a small loose leaf tea strainer. Place the tea in the strainer in a mug, boil water and pour into the mug, let steep for the appropriate amount of time.*
- Tincture: created by dissolving the dried roots of valerian in ethanol, tinctures are then bottled with a small dropper, to consume you fill the dropper and place under the tongue to soak in before swallowing
*Most herbal tinctures have instructions on the bottle regarding dosage*
- Essential Oil: created from the oil extracted from dried valerian root, essential oil differ from a tincture as it is not to be consumed orally, this product is to be diffused in the air, applying to the skin or soaking in water
- Capsule: the dried root of valerian can be ground into a powder or extracted as a liquid and encapsulated to be taken as a pill, encapsulated valerian allows for higher doses
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What To Look For
Because herbal remedies like valerian root are largely unregulated in the United States, you need to take steps to find products that are safe and reliable.
One way to do this is by checking the label to see if the supplement has been certified by an independent agency like:
- U.S. Pharmacopeia
- NSF International
These certifying bodies ensure that the supplements voluntarily submitted for testing contain the active and inactive ingredients listed on the product label and are free of contaminants. Certification doesn’t guarantee safety or effectiveness.
Another way to choose herbal supplements is to pick those that have been certified organic. This is especially important when buying dried “wild-crafted” root or root shavings used to make teas and tinctures.
How Does Valerian Affect The Body
Scientists arent exactly sure how valerian works in the body.
However, research suggests its activity is related to the independent and synergistic actions of compounds found in the plant, including (
- low levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid
Certain compounds in valerian, called valerenic acid and valerenol, can act on GABA receptors in the body.
GABA is a chemical messenger that helps regulate nerve impulses in your nervous system.
Its one of the main neurotransmitters responsible for sleep regulation, and increasing the amount of GABA available in your body has sedative effects .
Valerenic acid and valerenol can modulate GABA receptors and increase the amount of GABA available in the central nervous system. Whats more, research has shown that valerenic acid inhibits an enzyme that destroys GABA .
Compounds in valerian may also interact with receptors for serotonin and adenosine, chemicals that play important roles in the regulation of sleep and mood .
Additionally, preliminary research suggests that valepotriates the compounds that give valerian its characteristic pungent smell may have anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in the body .
Summary
Valerian contains a number of compounds that may help promote calmness by increasing GABA availability in the body and interacting with certain receptors involved in mood and sleep.
Studies have shown that taking valerian in supplement form may be helpful for treating certain conditions, including anxiety and insomnia.
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Valerian Root Origin And Chemical Properties
Valerian root is gotten from valerian , an enduring blooming plant from the Valerianaceae family. The plant has sweetly scented pink or white blossoms that sprout in the late spring. Valerian is local to Europe and parts of Asia and now develops in North America too.
Valerian root contains unstable oils, including valerenic acids, less unpredictable sesquiterpenes and valepotriates . These dynamic constituents are likely in charge of valerian roots capacity to create a quieting and helpful impact on the bodys focal sensory system.
The name of the herb is gotten from the individual name Valeria and the Latin action word valere . Valerian has been utilized as a restorative herb since in any event the season of antiquated Greece and Rome. Hippocrates portrayed its properties, and Galen later endorsed it as a solution for sleep deprivation.
Valerian Root In Folk Medicine
Folk medicine recognizes the following primary applications of Valerian root.
- Restlessness, nervous sleep disorders
- Anxiety and tension, nervousness, restlessness
- Stage fright and test anxiety
- Nervous exhaustion, burn-out syndrome
- Nervous heart and stomach complaints
- Sleep-through disorders in the elderly
- Nervous learning difficulties and difficulty falling asleep
- Weather sensitivity symptoms
- Premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms
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Potential For Liver Damage
Although rare, some people have experienced liver damage while taking valerian. Usually, that’s due to overuse of valerian supplements or taking “wild-crafted” dried root.
Experts don’t yet know whether valerian root itself caused the damage or if it is due to contaminants in valerian products.
To protect your health, let your healthcare provider know if you intend to use valerian root for medical purposes. They may want to monitor your liver enzymes to ensure it remains healthy and functioning.
Valerian Root And Traditional Chinese Medicine
We talk a lot about traditional German medicine, but research also supports historically active use of Valerian among ancient Asian cultures.
Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends Valerian for people struggling to sleep, due to thinking of tomorrow. The premise suggests that when you lay in bed, thinking about the next day, Valerian helps to calm the mind, making space to organize thoughts, evaluate priorities, and eventually get to sleep.
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How Is Valerian Root Used For Anxiety
Are you facing trouble while sleeping? You may be a victim of anxiety! If you want to get rid of this problem, then you can try valerian root, which is a natural supplement. It is used to treat anxiety without any side effects. Valerian is a plant with flowers, which grows in Europe and in some parts of Asia. The flowers can be pink or white, which bloom in summer and the white flowers carry a sweet smell touching deep inside your soul. On the other hand, the root carries a foul smell like stinky cheese or may be of a dirty foot. Its a good remedy for curing insomnia and nervous anxiety helping you to lead a normal lifestyle. This natural herb was used in ancient Greece to treat:
If you are suffering from any of the above conditions, you can use the Valerian root exploring best results. Once you start using Valerian root you can fall asleep naturally staying away from insomnia.
It also calms your anxiety and thus you can get rid of all worries. It increases the release of GABA from your brain that gives you effective results in real time. Sometimes, its combined with certain other herbs to come up with amazing results ensuring a better health.
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