Valerian Extract Benefits

Valer is a Latin word meaning to be strong or healthy. The plant valerian has been used for centuries in medicinal purposes. The flowering valerian plant is native to Europe and Asia, but is now grown all over the world. Valerian extract is one of the most widely used and tested herbs because of it's many proposed benefits.

Extract

• Valerian extracts are part of the ground up roots and stems of the dried plant that is used in teas, vitamin supplements, oils, tinctures, salves or capsules.

Insomnia

• Valerian was used as a sleep aid by Hippocrates, according to The Office of Dietary Supplements. Today valerian is still used as a common ingredient to treat insomnia. A recent study reported by the National Library of Medicine found one dose of valerian extract effective in a sleep study to treat insomnia. Two milliliters of the liquid extract were given diluted in water and flavored with honey to 20 participants in the study, all of whom spent more time in deeper sleep than they may have without valerian. Valerian is given in pill form in 400 to 900 milligrams as a sleep aid according to Medline Plus.

Stress and Anxieity

• Valerian roots relax the central nervous system. It was used in Germany to calm ill-behaved children and was used during World War II air raids to calm nerves. According to Medline Plus, valerian, given in combination with St. Johns wart, has been used to treat anxiety. Valerian is given in supplement form in doses of 100 to 600 milligrams before or after stress related events.

Strong Odor

• The scent of valerian is extremely pungent and unpleasant to most people, yet in the 16th century it was used as a perfume according to Insight Journal. The Latin definition of the word valerian meaning "strong" could refer to its strong odor.

Other Uses

• Valerian root has been used to treat epilepsy, nervousness and hysteria. Even though valerian has been used to treat epilepsy, modern research has not completely supported its usage in humans according to Insight Journal. However, a study done on rats and reported in Medline Plus, has found that valerian may act as an effective anticonvulsant.

Side Effects

• There have been a few reported side effects of valerian such as dizziness and stomach pain, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Other names that valerian is known by are; blessed herb, valeriana, valerian-hops extract, Jacob's ladder, baldrian, all-heal, amantilla and katzenwurzel.

Headaches

• Valerian can be used to treat migraine headaches. Because valerian interacts with the central nervous system it is used to treat headaches. Headache teas often include valerian.

Skin and Acne

• A salve of valerian root can be used to treat skin conditions such as acne and sores.