Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis) has a long history of use as a sedative nervine in Europe, mainly to help sleep. It is official in the German pharmacopoeia And licensed as a tea and tincture, and is included in various licensed medicines in Germany. It is the most important component in the approved and appropriate name ‘sedative tea’. Due to the unpleasant taste and the aroma of Valerian as a dried herb, the tincture is often preferred and often limited with more pleasant tasting herbs.
About 40% of adults have problems that fall or stay asleep and many rely on freely available or prescribed medicines for sleeping. Valerian is considered a reasonably priced alternative without known side effects. With more than 500 articles about Valerian posted on the Pubmed Database, it is a strongly investigated herb. Valerian extract has been reported that it causes significant improvements in sleeping and in sleep quality. Other applications are restlessness (AHN, 2016).
Some freely available products are standardized for different “key” components, but most herbalists agree, the use of the entire extract is best. Valerenic acid and other aromatic connections support the limbic system of the brain and the normal breakdown of gamma-aminoboteric acid (GABA). The non-fleeting Valepotrates contribute to the sedative activity of the central nervous system, although this method of operation is not so clearly known.
The Botanical Security ManualPublished by the American Herbal Products Association, Valerian mentions as “class 1 – herbs that can be safely consumed when used in the right way.”
The extensive committee e monographsPublished by the American Botanical Council, offers an extensive summary of Valerian Root. The World Health Organization reports that there are clinical data to support Valerian for a number of applications, including to support a healthy sleep and to calm the nervous system discomfort (WHO 1999).
Valerian is often combined with other relaxing herbs such as lemon balm, hops, passionflower and poppy, because of their synergy effects.
The formulas of Wishgarden Herbs that contain Valerian:
Deep recovery muscle Charmetal and serious relaxation muscle and tension
References
Writer Mindy Green is one of the founders and professional member of the American Herbalists Guild and member of the advisory board of the American Botanical Council, publisher of Herbal Gram Magazine. Mrs. Green served at the Faculty of the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies (1995-2003). The California School of Herbal Studies is one of Mindy’s business companies as co-owner and member of the Faculty (1985-1995). She is a nationally certified registered aromatherapist and has served in the education committees of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists and the Aromatherapy Registration Council. She now runs her own consultancy, Green Scentations, LLC.
A productive writer and teacher, Mrs. Green, has written more than 60 published articles about herbs, aromatherapy, skin care, holistic health and integrative care. She is a co-author of Aromatherapy, a complete guide to healing art; Author of Calendula and natural perfumes, and has contributed to countless books about herbs and healing. As a Botanical therapy expert, she has been interviewed more than 400 times by leading magazines and newspapers.
Only for educational purposes. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease or to sell a product.
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