Will Valerian work for me?
Valerian (valeriana officinalis) root is a strong smelling, effective herb for sleep that is also very safe and nonaddictive. This popular root helps most fall asleep fast and get a deeper more restful sleep. Though it helps most, in some in can cause the opposite effect, leaving some feeling agitated or overstimulated.
Will Valerian make me sleepy?
Just like with anything, nothing works for every single person. We recommend starting with low doses and seeing how Valerian works with your body. If you should feel groggy or like your muscles are "rubbery," lower your dose. Valerian is known for helping people fall asleep easier, stay asleep longer and feel more rested in the morning. However, some common indicators that Valerian may work for you are if you're prone to anxiety. Valerian may leave you feeling overstimulated if you tend to run hot and if you tend to anger or frustration rather than anxiety. Another indicator may be that those with parasympathetic excess, which can be seen in those with small pupils, are more likely to be stimulated as opposed to those with sympathetic excess and larger pupils (from The Modern Herbal Dispensatory by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne). This does not apply to the flower essence of Valerian, just tea, tinctures, and capsules.
What else does Valerian help with?
Valerian is wonderful for all Nervous System issues. While it's most known for helping with insomnia, it's also known for helping with digestive issues, headaches, menstrual cramps (works great when paired with Crampbark), mild pain and tension, and stress. It's useful in acute situations (such as headaches and menstrual cramps), but it's also good for chronic conditions and is safe to take long term. Valerian also relaxes blood vessels, helping in hypertension (especially when paired with Hawthorn berries).
Is Valerian Safe?
Valerian is safe for kids, pregnancy and breastfeeding. As always, if you are taking any medications or have any health conditions, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before taking any new herbs or supplements. If you are experiencing depression or are on pain medication, use valerian with extreme caution. Valerian is a very well-studied herb and has been popular for quite some time, so finding information online or through doctors may be easier than some other herbs that have not been so popular recently.
How to take Valerian
Valerian can be drunk as a tea, but the dried root does have a very strong smell. Most hate the smell, saying it smells like old books or dirty socks. Some don't mind the smell, saying it has a sweet earthy smell (I'm in the latter group). So, if you can't take the smell, the tincture form may be more suited to you, while it still has a strong aroma it's nowhere near as strong as the dried root. The fresh root is not nearly as strong as the dried. As the root dries the active ingredients are released, creating a stronger odor.
Feel like Valerian may be a good fit for you? Try our Deep Sleep tincture and let us know what you think!