Valerian: The sleep-inducing medicinal plant | BRIGITTE.de

valerian
Calming and sleep-inducing medicinal plant

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Valerian is one of the medicinal plants and is mainly used against sleep disorders and for calming. You can find out everything you need to know about the plant here.

What is valerian?

The so-called real valerian (Valeriana officinalis) was already used in ancient Greece as a herbal remedy. The medicinal plant is known for its calming and sleep-inducing effect and is therefore used, for example, to treat inner restlessness, nervousness and sleep disorders. In medicine, only the dried and cut valerian root is used.

Fields of application of Valeriana officinalis

Valerian can help with the following symptoms:

  • sleep problems
  • inner unrest
  • nervousness
  • tension
  • feelings of anxiety
  • tension

A relaxation bath with the valerian root in the form of a is particularly suitable for relieving tension in the muscles bath additive. The general rule: Before using the medicinal plant, you should talk to a doctor or pharmacist about the possible uses, dosage and possible side effects.

How does valerian work?

The effect can be attributed to the interaction with human nerve cells. In cooperation with the active ingredients of the plant, these release an inhibitory messenger substance. This has a positive effect on insomnia and the quality of sleep. It’s even been scientifically proven. Valerian can therefore effectively relieve nervous conditions and sleep disorders for several weeks.

Best in combination

By the way, you can do valerian perfectly mix with other medicinal plants such as lavender, hops or lemon balm. These also contain calming active ingredients. How about your own little herb garden? If you mix valerian root with other calming herbs, you can fight against insomnia and nervous restlessness.

Worth knowing about Valeriana officinalis

Valerian can grow up to 1.8 meters tall. From May to September you can find the plant along the way, mainly on moist forest soil. The small flowers are white to pink and have fine purple markings in some places. In general, the medicinal plant is not only native to Europe, but also to the temperate zones of Asia. Due to its positive properties as a medicinal plant, it is now also cultivated in Japan and North America.

Side Effects of Valerian

A bit of caution is still required, because in rare cases side effects may occur. If you suffer from the following symptoms after taking it, you should talk to your doctor:

  • Gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea or stomach cramps
  • headache
  • Restlessness (wrong doses of Valeriana officinalis can even increase restlessness)

Apart from these rather rare side effects, valerian root also contains active ingredients that significantly slow down your reaction speed. In a nutshell: Better not to drive a car, but rather stay in bed or lie on the couch. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children under the age of twelve should avoid taking valerian. Because so far there is no verifiable scientific knowledge about the consequences of using them.

Be careful with these interactions

Taking valerian is not always the right way to treat problems falling asleep and inner restlessness. When taking the following drugs at the same time, interactions could occur:

  • Other medicines such as sleeping pills or tranquilizers
  • alcohol

In this case, it is essential to coordinate with the doctor in advance whether it makes sense to take valerian as well.

Application: The correct intake of valerian

You can do valerian now in the form of

You can get various nerve, sleeping and gastrointestinal teas in every drugstore. For all other forms, you will find what you are looking for in the pharmacy. No matter what you choose, you should consume about two to three grams of valerian per day. The dosage is of course written on the medicines and teas.

Extra info: Valerian as a cat herb

The plant is popularly known as cat weed. The reason: the smell is said to attract cats. The plant gives off a characteristic pleasant smell. If you want to test whether your cat likes it, you can buy small cushions filled with dried valerian root at any pet supply store and give them to your cat. By the way: According to legend, the smell of the medicinal plant even helped the Pied Piper of Hamelin on his hunt.

Reading tips: You can find out how to get better sleep here. We also explain the different chronotypes and reveal what helps with sleep disorders in old age.

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European Medicines Agency (EMA): “Valerianae radix

Medicinal plant lexicon of the cooperation Phytopharmaka GbR: “valerian

Schöpke, T., Institute for Pharmacy, University of Greifswald: Botany for Pharmacists: “Valerian root – Valerianae radix

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