Benefits of Valerian Root

Valerian root has been used for hundreds of years to treat all kinds of nerve, sleep, and anxiety disorders. It has the ability to slow down ones heart beat while increasing the hearts pumping force. Valerian root is particularly useful in treating insomnia issues that stem from nervousness, anxiety, and an over active mind. It has been used for these purposes since before the birth of Christ, and is listed in almost every pharmacopoeia in the world. The biggest negative I hear on valerian when it is used alone is that it taste bad and causes bad burps. I have experienced this myself and must admit that aspect of valeria I can do without. The development of this odor comes from the drying process when the herb undergoes a chemical decomposition which is actually what produces the active ingredient within the valerian called valerenic acid. I have found that when valerian is mixed into a formula with other natural sleep aids it dilutes the bad taste enough to make valerian very usable and not taste bad at all. Whenever I recommend valeria I recommend a good potent extract of the active ingredient which is the valerenic acid. Look for formulas that contain extracts of 0.8% of valerenic acids. These are the strongest and most effective valerian formulas available. And if you are looking at an all inclusive natural sleep aid with valerian as one component make sure to find one that supplies the valerian in the pure extract form. This is often the way to determine if the sleeping aid is a strong formula or a weaker formula. If all or most of the herbal ingredients are specified as herbal extracts and list the percentage of active extract than you are probably looking at a good product. From my experience when valerian is combined with other natural sleep aids it works much better than when it is taken by itself. Don’t get me wrong, many of my clients do respond well to valerian root by itself, but more likes it affects when it is combined with other ingredients in a nice synergistic natural sleep aid.