Valerian Root
- Scientific name Valeriana officinalis L.
- Family Valerianaceae (Valerian Family)
- Common name Valerian, Valerian root, English valerian
- Part(s) used Rhizome and roots
- Contains Alkaloids, iridoids, volatile oils, polyphenolic acids, sterol, choline, tannins, gum and resin.
- Avoid using with Sedatives
- Special precautions Should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation. Avoid using large amounts over a long period.
Insomnia is difficulty in falling asleep, which can be caused by stress,
anxiety or emotional problems. While sleeping pills are frequently used to
overcome insomnia, many of these medications are addictive and may cause
side effects.
So, before you reach for the sleeping pills the next time, you
should know that there are supplements and herbs you can take
to help relieve your symptoms. One of them is Valerian.
An herbal alternative to restlessness and pain relief
Although Valerian has been traditionally used in certain types of
epilepsy, it is most valued for its benefits of promoting sleep and
relieving mild pain without the side effects commonly associated with
sedative drugs.
Valerian exerts a soothing effect on the nervous system to gently
calm nervous tension, stress, restlessness and anxiety. These
relaxing properties can also be helpful in the treatment of high
blood pressure and other stress-related heart conditions.
In addition, Valerian can be useful for relieving bodily tensions such
as menstrual cramps, muscle spasms and indigestion.
Concomitant
in various clinical studies, Valerian have been shown to:
- Help reduce physiological reactivity during stressful situations when used with kava (a type of herb).
- Have a positive effect on sleep structure and sleep perception in patients with primary insomnia (difficulty in falling asleep and without other concomitant diseases), with very few adverse effects.
- Be an effective alternative to benzodiazepines (a class of drugs that reduce the activity of the central nervous system to induce sedation) when used in combination with hops (a type of herb) in the treatment of sleep disorders, with fewer side effects.
- Significantly improve sleep quality and the time it takes to fall asleep, especially in subjects who considered themselves poor or irregular sleepers, as well as smokers.
- Is considered safe, as overdose at 20 times more than the recommended dosage produced only mild symptoms that resolved within 24 hours.
Remember these tips to help you sleep!
- Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
- Only use your bedroom for sleeping. Make sure it is a pleasant, comfortable and peaceful environment.
- Stay away from caffeine (coffee, tea or soft drinks), alcohol and cigarettes in the evening.
- Get some exercise.
- Avoid napping in the daytime.
- Your last meal should be 3 to 4 hours before bedtime.
