How well does Valerian work for anxiety?

Do you know that 50-70 million people suffer from some kind of sleep disorder in the US itself? And not just mild symptomatic disorders, these people are affected chronically. The top three types of sleep disorders are sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and insomnia, which tops the charts.

If you have one of these, then you know how that affects your daily living and state of mind. And presumably, you have tried different methods to get the elusive sleep. Most people turn to natural remedies and herbal aids for falling into a normal and healthy sleeping pattern. In the US, valerian is used as one of the most common sleeping aids, due to its herbal properties, it is called “Valerian dietary supplement.”

Valerian is known as the ‘Nature’s Valium’ as it has mild sedative effects and is known to have a calming effect in anxiety attacks as well. Insomnia has been around for thousands of years and valerian has been recorded to have been used since the middle ages to treat insomnia.

Although there are over 250 species of valerian, the one to go to for sleeping disorders and anxiety is “Valeriana Officinalis”. This is the most popular variety due to its medicinal values. Certified by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), it is considered to be safe as it has gentler properties than other synthetic drugs like barbiturates and benzodiazepines.

Straight stuff on Valerian

So what is valerian exactly? Valeriana Officinalis is an herb, more commonly known as Valerian. It is native to Europe and Asia and grows wild in the US and Canada now as well. Dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times, it has been used as a medicine.

The plant has delicately fragrant flowers but it is the root that has the powers along with an unpleasant smell. The rhizomes (underground stems), roots and stolons (horizontal stems) are of value and are used in teas, tinctures, capsules, tablets and syrups.

The effects of Valerian on the body

Although research has been an ongoing process on the effects of valerian, scientists are still baffled by the herb and its apparent responses. Nonetheless, it is suggested that the synergistic and independent processes found in the compound of the plant are

Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and carboxylic compounds
Low levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Valepotriates
Flavonoids
Lignans

Assuredly, there are compounds in valerian that can act on the GABA receptors in the body. These are valerenic acid and valerenol. GABA is a synthetic mediator that helps regulate the excitability of the nerve impulses in the body. It is the main neurotransmitter responsible for blocking anxiety attacks and aiding good sleep.

The two main components, valerenic acid and valerenol can inflect GABA receptors and increase it in amount in the central nervous system, the lack of which causes all the sleep disorders and other nervous system disorders.

Benefits

Valerian’s efficacy:

Helps ease anxiety disorders.
Helps users sleep faster.
Quality of sleep is better.
Eases stress.
Known to work in depression.
Relieves restlessness symptoms.
Works well for OCD symptoms.
Calming effect in hyperactive people.
Helps with concentration focus problems.
Works with sleep associated disorders.

Risks and possible side effects

In the survey done by the National Institute of Health, the common side-effects that were reported were dizziness, weakness, headaches, itchiness, gastrointestinal issues such as stomach ache and diarrhoea.

Valerian should be taken under supervision if suffering from any other chronic ailments. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children and teenagers should get the general physician’s buy-in before popping this pill.

Conclusion

In any case, a general medical practitioner should be consulted before taking any herbal supplements. In the case of valerian, it is unlikely to cause any serious adverse effects though minor side effects are not uncommon. It is proved that valerian does help with sleep disorders, anxiety and also certain symptoms of OCD, menopause and PMS. Relatively safe, Roar naturally’s Extra Strength Valerian capsules have never recorded a case of any acute side effects. The capsules are vegetarian and non GMO. One capsule of Roar naturally’s Extra strength valerian is 500 mg of pure extract of the valerian root which is almost equivalent to 2000 mg of the root powder. Please consult your physician and start sleeping better with this herbal supplement.

Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.

-Gautama Buddha