Valerian is a powerful herb because of its calming effect on stress. It’s openly available in most health food shops to buy. But what is it and what does it do?
What is valerian?
Valerian, which is often referred to as ‘nature’s valium’, is a tall perennial flowering plant with pink and white flowers that can grow up to 6ft in length. The term ‘valerian’ stems from the Latin word ‘valere’, which means ‘to be strong’ and be in ‘good health.’ It’s also known by the names garden heliotrope, all-heal, and setwall.
Its roots and stems are used to create the widely used herbal supplement due to their medicinal properties. The plant has an unpleasant, pungent odour as a result of valeric acid, which is important in its ability to improve sleep and induce relaxation.
Valerian has been used for centuries as a herbal medicine, going as far back as the existence of Ancient Greece. The plant originated from West Asia and Europe but has now been naturalised in parts of North America.
What are the benefits of taking valerian?
There are many benefits of taking valerian. Here are just some of the things it can do:
- Help with insomnia
- Help with headaches
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Help with digestive issues
- Help you relax
- Help with depression
What forms are valerian available In?
Valerian is available as a tea, tincture, capsule, tablet, liquid extract and in powder form.
It is generally safe to consume on an empty stomach. However, if the packaging advises you otherwise or you get an upset stomach, you should consume your next dose once you have eaten.
Can i take valerian?
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take valerian. You should also avoid it if you have liver disease.
You can take valerian at any point during the day, however, it is recommended that the last dose should be at least 1 hour before bedtime. Please read the instructions on the packaging and consult your doctor or GP before consuming to get a better idea of what is best for you.
What are the possible side effects?
Possible side effects of valerian are tummy ache, headache, dizziness, and drowsiness.
Overall, valerian is a great herb for easing stress, anxiety, insomnia and more. It can bring you some much needed relief when you need it, having been used for centuries for its effectiveness in improving wellbeing when stressed..
DISCLAIMER
Before you start any new diet, health programme, exercise routine, and ingest or topically use any oil, vitamin, mineral, product or compound, it is very important to consult your doctor, therapist or do a patch test to make sure you do not have any adverse reactions.
We do not offer any form of medical or psychological advice. The information in our wellbeing articles are offered for educational purposes only. Our wellbeing articles are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Thank you.
