When you can’t sleep, you’ll do just about anything to find relief. Many people are acutely aware of the dangers posed by many prescription sleep medications and seek to avoid them as much as possible. For that reason, many people end up trying valerian root at least once to see if it affords them a bit more sleep. However, it is important to note right away that, unlike many herbal remedies, valerian root is not meant to work instantly.
Those who do find it remotely effective take it for at least a month before noticing any real results. Also, valerian root does not work for everyone. Some people take it diligently every single day without seeing a single noticeable benefit. However, in the search for a cure to a sleep disorder, valerian root certainly won’t hurt and might even be just what you need.
Valerian root and seeds
Valerian root is a kind of herb that people have taken for centuries to help reduce anxiety and to induce sleep. Unlike other types of herbs, though, valerian seeds and valerian root works best when taken on a regular basis. Over time, valerian root can prompt a person to fall into a more regular sleep pattern, effectively helping out with sleep disorders like insomnia. You can buy valerian root and seeds at just about any local natural food store. Also, it is very easy to find and order on the Internet. Many herbal sleep aids also contain doses of valerian root to help enhance their effects. The way that you choose to take it is entirely up to you, and you may find that it works best for you as a tea or in some other manner.
Valerian tea
For most people, valerian tea is the best option when it comes to taking this herb. That’s because tea is naturally quite calming, anyway; when brewed to a nice, warm temperature, it can help calm you down and make you feel ready for bed. Some like to mix valerian with other ingredients to make a sleepy time tea. The way you choose to brew your tea is a strictly personal choice, and you might want to experiment a little bit before settling on one particular method.
The key is to try and make a habit of drinking valerian tea every night before bed for at least a couple of weeks; many people say that at least a month is necessary, though. By giving the valerian root tea a chance to work, you might discover a great way to manage your sleep disorder.
Valerian side effects
Oddly enough, one of the most reported side effects with valerian – besides helping people get to sleep better – is excitability. In some people, valerian actually revs them up and makes it even harder to get to sleep. When first taking valerian, then, it is critical to pay close attention to how your body is responding. If you notice that your thoughts begin to race, then valerian root probably isn’t for you.
Some who use valerian root notice irregular heartbeats or an increase in their heart rate, which can be concerning. You may also notice that you experience some bad headaches when you begin taking valerian root or valerian tea. For some people, these headaches subside – but with others, they never go away and it becomes necessary to discontinue the use of valerian.
Is valerian root effective for sleep?
There is no definitive answer to whether valerian will help you get to sleep more easily. Some people swear by this herb to maintain a healthy sleep schedule, and others never see an ounce of improvement despite taking it regularly. Many people simply can’t tolerate valerian due to its rather unpleasant taste; even if it is mixed with other ingredients, valerian has a very distinctive taste that many people just can’t deal with.
If you can get past the taste and stick with the program, you may notice some positive results on your sleep schedule when taking valerian. Everyone is different, and other sleep aids may prove to be more effective for you. To get a better idea about what is available, see our sleep aid reviews.
