Valerian

Valerian is a flowering plant that originally grew in Europe and Asia.

The plant matures in the summer and can get quite tall – around 1.5 metres. Then, its sweetly scented white or pink flowers bloom, attracting flies, butterflies, and moths.

Its root though is the part of the plant that may have sedative or anxiolytic (countering anxiety) effects, and it is this that is sold in traditional herbal products.

How can valerian help with sleep?

Maybe you are one of those people who wakes up at 3am and then can never get back to sleep.

Or you are tired during the day, but when it comes to bed time, your brain will not let you get any rest!

Sleep disturbances can be temporary or more chronic, and they can be caused by life issues like stress, exercise and consumption habits, or screen time or deeper issues such as depression.

Other times, environmental and external issues can get in the way of a good snooze, such as jet lag, shift work, uncomfortable beds, a hot or cold room, and noise.

Valerian can help provide temporary relief of sleep disturbances due to symptoms of mild anxiety and aid sleep. This is based on traditional use only.

Ways to improve your sleep

There are a few things you can try to help combat sleep issues, including ensuring that you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends.

You can relax an hour before bed, by say, reading a book. Avoid screens and devices if you can, because those types of lights can cause problems with sleeping. 

Regular exercise, thick curtains to keep out all the light, and eye masks or ear plugs can also help.

Using valerian capsules, tablets, and drops

We provide valerian in various formats, which are all standardised. This means they are manufactured to a high standard, containing exactly the amount of valerian as declared on the product label.

We have Valerian Plus 30 Tablets.

These also contain herb extra from the passion flower, complimenting the effects of valerian root extract. These tablets can be used to for temporary relief of sleep disturbances due to symptoms of mild anxiety, based on traditional use only

Take one or two tablets half an hour before bed time. Swallow the tablets whole, with water or a drink. If necessary, an additional tablet can be taken earlier in the evening.

We also have valerian capsules.  

These only contain the root, and are for adults. To provide temporary relief for symptoms of mild anxiety and to aid sleep, based on traditional use only. The recommendation is to take one capsule three times a day, and for supporting sleep, you can take one capsule thirty minutes to an hour before bedtime.

The maximum dose is four capsules a day, and again, be sure to swallow the capsule whole with water.

Finally, we also have valerian in drop form.

This can be used to help the temporary relief of sleep disturbances resulting from mild anxiety. Based on traditional use only.

The drops are also for adults. Add 30 drops to some water or fruit juice half an hour before going to bed.

For help with mild anxiety, you can take 10 to 20 drops in the same way, once or twice a day. Be sure not to take more than 70 drops a day.

There haven’t yet been sufficient studies of valerian. However, because of its potential effects to induce sleep, it should not be taken with alcohol or sedatives.