1. From Greeks to Americans
Valerian root is a medicinal plant native to Asia and Europe, but is now grown in the United States. The roots of the plant are harvested, dried and used to make extracts and tinctures as well as capsules and tablets. Originally used in early medicine by the Greeks and Romans, valerian root has been an important ingredient in many herbal remedies for more than a thousand years and has gained a positive reputation in traditional medical circles.
2. Get Your Z's With Valerian
The most common use of valerian root is to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders, and was first described as an insomnia treatment by Hippocrates in the second century. Unlike many prescription sleep-aids, valerian is non-habit forming and will not make you feel groggy upon awakening, making it a perfect solution for chronic sleep disorders or the occasional bout of insomnia. Valerian is fast acting and can be taken in capsule form about 1 hour before bed daily or as needed to help you sleep.
3. Getting to the Root of Nervousness
Due to its mild sedative effects, valerian root is also used to treat a number of nervous conditions, both for temporary relief and long-term treatment. Valerian can help stop nervous trembling, relieve headaches, decrease the force of epileptic seizures and can even help to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD). While valerian can help to calm the nerves, when taken in moderation it will not effect reaction time, alertness or concentration, meaning it can be taken throughout the day without the common drowsy effects of other types of sedatives.
4. Calm Your Digestive Tract
Valerian root can also be an effective treatment for those with digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colitis or chronic constipation as it tends to calm spastic muscles, easing the digestive process. To treat digestive disorders, valerian should be taken twice daily before meals.
5. Dosage is Important
As with any dietary supplement, you should always consult both your doctor and the manufacturer's instructions for dosage information. However, up to 600 mg of valerian root can be taken daily without side effects. There have not been sufficient studies to determine the effect of valerian root on pregnant women or children, therefore it is best to avoid taking supplements if pregnant, trying to get pregnant or nursing. Additionally, without doctor recommendation, valerian should not be given to young children.
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