Valerian root powder 1oz. wholesale bulk powdered herb

Also known as

Valeriana officinalis. Common Valerian, European Valerian, Valeriana and Allheal.

Introduction

Valerian has a long history of use in Western Europe as a sedative and sleep aid, with medicinal uses dating back to Hippocrates time (ca. 460-377 B.C.) In the U.S. valerian root is widely used in sleep aids and sedatives in various forms including teas, tablets, and capsules. Often, valerian is combined with other herbs traditionally known to promote sleep including hops, passionflower, lemon balm, chamomile, and lavender. The root must be dried at temperatures below 105 degrees F (40 degrees C) for its medicinally active compounds to form. In teas, it tastes sweet and spicy if somewhat bitter, but its odor is unpleasant. Ancient medical texts acknowledge the odor of the herb by calling the plant phu.

Constituents

Acetic acid, ascorbic acid, beta-ionone, calcium, caffeic acid, magnesium, manganese, quercitin, valeric acid.

Parts Used

Dried root.

Typical Preparations

Teas, tinctures and capsules. The chopped herb is combined with St. John's wort. Valerian powder is mixed with hops and/or lemon balm. Because of its often expressed unpleasant taste, most prefer to take it as a capsule or extract.

Summary

Valerian is a calmative and tranquilizer. It has been used at least since the time of Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.E.) for treating headaches, insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, menstrual problems, nervous stomach, and hysteria. Clinical trials have confirmed the use of valerian for treating insomnia, especially the insomnia that accompanies menopause. The advantage of valerian over tranquilizers such as Valium and Xanax is that it reduces sleep latency, the time required to fall asleep, without a period of bedtime drowsiness and without creating a "hangover" or grogginess the next morning. Valerian has greatest effect in treating chronic insomnia, rather than short-term sleeplessness. It also soothes the digestive system and may prevent cramping caused by irritable bowel syndrome.

Precautions

If you use valerian for several months, you may experience withdrawal symptoms (headache, insomnia, racing heart, and general grouchiness) if you stop using the herb abruptly. Reduce dosage of a period of about a week if you wish to discontinue using the herb. Valerian itself does not cause side effects, but it may increase the side effects of some of the older medications for insomnia, such as Ativan (lorazepam), Valium, (diazempam), or Xanax (alprazolam).

Valerian is actually quite well known for its ability to help one go to sleep at night. It’s been used for thousands of years as a sleep aid. And even though there are many products on the market that improve sleep, none come close to the natural effects of valerian root.

Valerian is a plant that is native to Europe. The root of the plant is used in herbal medicine and must be at least two years old before it’s unearthed and used by humans for medicinal purposes. It’s used to help slow down the body in many ways and provides relief for several problems.

For example, if someone is having problems sleeping at night, valerian root can be prescribed to aid in sleep. It’s one of the best treatments you’ll find as a sleep aid in modern times.

You can also use valerian root to treat problems with stress and anxiety. While it’s best known as a sedative used for sleeping, it can also be mild enough to be used to fight anxiety. When you take the appropriate amount of valerian root, you’ll feel stress melt away. Muscle tension that’s often caused from stress and overworked muscles can also be combated with valerian. It helps to relax the muscles and relieve the pain and tension that comes from too much stress on the muscles.

If you have high blood pressure, particularly due to anxiety, valerian root can also help to return your blood pressure to normal. It helps to fight the physical effects of anxiety on the body and leaves you with sweet relief.

Unlike many prescription tranquilizers and sedatives, valerian root is not addictive. You won’t find yourself in the position of relying completely on it to relax and sleep at night. It will simply act as an aid in relaxing the muscles so that you can drift off to a peaceful sleep. Even though it’s been around a long time, it’s still one of the most effective ways to catch some sleep.

Valerian root can be taken in the form of a tincture and it can be used in the form of a decoction. You can also find valerian in the form of tablets and capsules. While it doesn’t pose a dangerous threat because of addiction, valerian root will make you drowsy. You shouldn’t operate a vehicle or heavy machinery while using it and you should never combine it with another sleep aid.