Valerian Root for Anxiety

Valerian root is derived from the plant, Valeriana officinalis, which is a perennial flowering plant, native to some parts of Asia, South Africa and Europe. Valerian plant and its root has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes, that can be traced back to the times of ancient Greeks and Romans. Even the father of medicine, Hippocrates acknowledged the medicinal properties of Valerian and later, it was recommended for insomnia by Galen, the Greek anatomist.

In medieval times, this herbal plant was used as a condiment, and 16th century has witnessed the plant being used for making perfumes. Apart from these, Valerian has been in use as an herbal remedy for digestive problems, liver problems, nervousness, nausea, epilepsy, hysteria and sleep disorders. In modern times, however, the plant and its roots have become popular as a remedy for anxiety and insomnia.

Benefits of Valerian Root

Its main benefit is that it produces a calming effect on the central nervous system. By helping the nervous system to relax, it can reduce stress and anxiety. The herb also has sedative properties, for which it could prove immensely helpful for enhancing sleep. This is the reason why, it is used for conditions like, insomnia. In addition to insomnia and anxiety, the herb or its roots may help in certain other disorders of the nervous system, including epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression and seizures. For women, it may provide some additional benefits by easing the menopause symptoms.

Though Valerian affects the central nervous system, it is not addictive in nature, and has not been found to cause any serious side effect. Some people can experience certain minor problems like, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, dizziness and morning drowsiness. Overuse and alcohol abuse while using it might result in liver damage, which can produce symptoms like, pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen and jaundice. Jaundice can cause yellowing of the white portion of the eye, as well as skin. Additionally, if an individual happens to be allergic to this herb, then its intake can result in allergic reactions, which can manifest in skin rash or hives, unusual swelling, especially around the mouth and throat and breathing difficulty.

Valerian Root as an Antianxiety Medicine

As a part of alternative medicine, it is used for calming the central nervous system in order to treat sleeplessness or insomnia. The supplements prepared from the roots of this herb are largely used all over the world to promote sleep, which in turn can reduce the level of anxiety. So, apart from being recognized as a sleep aid, valerian root has found wide scale popularity for reducing anxiety and stress as well, mainly due to its tranquilizing effect. It has been acknowledged to be very effective in improving the quality of sleep and reducing nervousness, irritability, depression, nervous tension and hysteria. Its main advantage over the commonly used prescription medications for insomnia is that, it does not produce morning 'grogginess' and 'sleep hangover', as it is non addictive in nature.

Because of being non-addictive, it is also not likely to carry the risk of dependency. What exactly makes it effective for promoting sleep and thus, reducing anxiety is not very clear. Scientists have so far discovered several chemical constituents of valerian root. But, which one of these chemicals is the main active compound of valerian is not known with certainty. However, some of these compounds are found to increase the level of the neurotransmitter, known as gamma aminobutyric acid or in short, GABA. This neurotransmitter may be responsible for producing a calming or sedative effect on the brain and help the individuals suffering from insomnia and anxiety to relax and get better sleep.

For using this herb for anxiety, it is imperative to know the appropriate dosage, in order to avoid any possible side effects that can arise from its overdose. Sometimes, a dose of 300 mg to 800 mg of Valerian root extract per day is recommended. However, to be on the safe side, it is better to consult a herbalist or health care provider to know the appropriate dosage of Valerian extract for curing insomnia or anxiety.

Another important point to be considered is its possible interaction with certain medications. Usually, valerian, if taken along with valium, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, Xanax, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, phenobarbital, codeine, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants and certain pain relievers has been observed to produce excessive drowsiness. Therefore, it is always advisable to take herbs and herbal supplements only under the supervision of a health care provider.