Using Valerian Root as a Sleep Aid

Valerian root also goes by such names as capon's tail and red valerian. The herb is used as a calming agent to treat ailments like anxiety, stress and headaches. It's popular in providing relief for light to moderate insomnia; however, if you have a severe case of sleeplessness it can take a few weeks of consuming valerian before it's affects are felt.

How It Works

• According to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements (see Resources), researchers have not been able to pinpoint exactly how valerian causes drowsiness. One theory is that various elements that the plant contains are responsible for this effect.

Preparations

• Valerian root is available as a tea, in capsule and pill form, as a tincture, a juice and a bath. It is sold as the sole ingredient in a remedy and as a mixture of other items.

Dosage

• Blue Shield of California recommends taking tablets or capsules containing at total of 300-500 mg of valerian root about 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed. For tea, poor boiling water over one-eighth of a teaspoon of the dried herb.

Duration

• Health.com notes that valerian is best applied for short-term use (about four to six weeks). Prolonging the dosage without taking a break can start to cause insomnia instead of alleviate it.

Peppermint

• Valerian root tea can be mixed with peppermint to take advantage of the latter herb's soothing properties and to alleviate the smell of valerian, which has a strong odor.

Benefits

• In addition to being a natural remedy, Families.com points out that valerian has less of a tendency to make you feel groggy or tired in the morning when you wake up.

Effectiveness

• AOLHealth.com indicates valerian tends to work best for people who sleep poorly or fitfully, or individuals who have a hard time falling asleep.