Valerian Root

ACTS AS A SEDATIVE, IMPROVES CIRCULATION, AND REDUCES MUCUS FROM COLDS. GOOD FOR ANXIETY, FATIGUE, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, INSOMNIA, IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME, MENSTRUAL AND MUSCLE CRAMPS, NERVOUSNESS, PAIN, SPASMS, STRESS, AND ULCERS. SHOWN TO PROMOTE BETTER QUALITY SLEEP AND LONGER SLEEPING PERIODS.

Key Actions

• Sedative
• Relaxant
• Relieves muscle spasms
• Relieves anxiety
• Lowers blood pressure

Research

• Therapeutic properties : Comprehensive research conducted in Germany and Switzerland has provided support for the utilization of valerian in promoting sleep, enhancing sleep quality, and reducing blood pressure. A German study conducted in 2002, comparing valerian with oxazepam (a conventional sleep treatment), revealed the effectiveness of both—83% of individuals using valerian rated the treatment as highly effective, in comparison to 73% of those using oxazepam.

Traditional & Current Uses

• Historical uses : Referred to as “all-heal” during the Middle Ages, valerian was attributed with numerous virtues, notably being associated with the healing of epilepsy. In 1592, Fabius Calumna authored an elaborate work on herbal medicine, asserting that he had successfully treated his epilepsy using this herb.

• Stress-related disorders : Valerian diminishes mental over-activity and nervous excitability, offering assistance to individuals struggling to unwind. Its positive effects extend to a wide range of stress-related conditions, and, overall, it imparts a calming influence on the mind, characterized more by a soothing effect rather than a direct sedative action.

• Anxiety & insomnia : Valerian proves effective in alleviating various symptoms of anxiety, such as tremors, panic, palpitations, and sweating. It serves as a beneficial remedy for insomnia, addressing sleep disturbances arising from both anxiety and over-excitement.

• Effective relaxant : Valerian relaxes over-contracted muscles, and is helpful for shoulder and neck tension, asthma, colic, irritable bowel syndrome, period pain and muscle spasms.

• High blood pressure : Valerian is used with other herbs in remedies for high blood pressure caused by stress and anxiety.