Is Valerian Root Safe
According to the Botanical Safety Handbook: 2nd Edition, valerian root is a Safety Class 1B herb. This category is described as:
Herbs that can be safely consumed when used appropriately.
- History of safe traditional use
- No case reports of significant adverse eventswith high probability of causality
- No significant adverse events in clinical trials
- No identified concerns for use during pregnancyor lactation
- No innately toxic constituents
- Toxicity associated with excessive use is not abasis for exclusion from this class
- Minor or self-limiting side effects are not basesfor exclusion from this class
However, there are some things to keep in mind.
- Vivid dreams are the most common side effect reported.
- Caution is advised during use of barbiturates, bensodiazepines, and other sedative drugs, because valerian may increase their effects.
- Avoid taking large doses of valerian for an extended period of time; instead, use modest doses for just 2 to 3 weeks, with a weeks break before you begin taking the doses again.
- Also, for a small percentage of the population, valerian root has a stimulating effect rather than a calming one. According to renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar:
What Is Valerian Tea Good For
Valerian tea has sedative properties. The tea is beneficial if you are having difficulties falling or staying asleep. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the sleep-boosting benefits of valerian tea may not take effect immediately. If you are using the tea to help reduce insomnia, aim to drink it consistently for approximately one month to see the greatest benefits. Always check with your doctor before trying a natural sleep aid. You may also experience other benefits from valerian tea such as:
- regulating nerve cells
- helping with chronic fatigue syndrome
- aiding in overcoming attention disorders
- reducing muscle and joint pain
- eliminating hot flashes
- overcoming restlessness
The calming benefits of this ayurvedic, herbal remedy may help you to overcome anxiety, restlessness and sleeplessness. This natural remedy has few side effects and can be enjoyed before going to sleep to enhance your overall sleeping habits and wake with energy.
Dr Stuarts Valerian Plus 15 Tea Bags
£2.49
Dr Stuarts Valerian Plus 15 Tea Bags
£2.49
1h 50m 52s left for next day delivery
Description
- A blend of valerian, lime flowers and hops
- Traditional Victorian recipe
- Caffeine-free
Dr Stuarts Valerian Plus Tea has mellow and bitter flavours of the Valerian root and hops balance to make a relaxing nightime drink. Dr Stuarts Valerian Plus Tea contains Active Botanicals, which are herbs of the highest quality picked from the most prized parts of the plants. This means the most aromatic, flavourful and beneficial tea possible.
Leave the tea to brew for a good four or five minutes to allow time for them to release all their valuable essential oils. Cover the mug whilst brewing, or use a small teapot to keep even more goodness in!
Nutritional Information:
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How To Prepare With Teabags
If you go this route, the Valerian will probably be mixed with other herb which is completely fine. If you wish to only have Valerian, then get the root and prepare it your own way.
My advice is to try both ways and see which you like better.
Having the teabag makes the process even easier. All you have to do is add;a cups worth of water thats boiled;1/3rd of the way to a cup with the teabag already in it.
Cover and let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes and enjoy.
Spend Less Drink More
Drinking tea is not merely a pastime, but a lifestyle, so it only makes sense to have plenty of tea on hand and purchase a supply that will last you for a while. At Buddha Teas, the more you buy, the less you spend in the long run. We encourage you to buy bulk, as the per-unit price decreases the more you buy. Spend at least $50 per order, and youll also receive free shipping on all US orders.
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Valerian Root Tea Side Effects
Every good thing has its own risks and shortcomings. So, what are the side effects of valerian root tea? Most of the valerian root tea side effects come with excessive use of the tea. Therefore, it is important to use the right dosage when taking this tea. Any excessive consumption of the tea will lead to the following undesirable side effects.
- Headaches and migraines
- Increased depression and
- Night terrors
If you are scared of night terrors, moderate your intake of valerian root tea. Use a standard dosage of any type of valerian tea, be it Alvita Valerian Root Tea or any other brand of the tea. See more side effects of valerian root.
The Soothing Properties Of Chamomile
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Sleep Inducing Effect
Chamomile contains an antioxidant called apigenin, which proved to jump-start sleep. In one study, patients with chronic insomnia that took chamomile extract twice a day for a month fell asleep 15 minutes faster on average and woke up less during the night.
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Calming Properties
As for its calming properties, chamomile is at a stage of preliminary research. It is important to note, however, that, according to some studies, apigenin may interact with other drugs. These medications include anti-inflammatory medications, sedative and anti anxiety medications, anticoagulant agents, and Aspirin.
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Determine Which Supplement Is Good For You And If You Really Need Them:
Insomnia may be caused by several causes. These causes may be internal or external. Correcting the causes of insomnia can go a long way in solving the problem. It is also good to determine which supplement can work for me. There are several things to consider before deciding on which supplement to take.
Consider Natural Ways To Tackle Insomnia
There are other ways to tackle insomnia and ensure that you get a good night sleep every day. Some of the natural ways to tackle insomnia are easy to implement too. They include:
- Exercise and weight reduction
- Minimizing the use of stimulants
- Minimize the use of alcohol
- Making the bedroom comfortable for sleep
These natural ways to fight insomnia among others are very effective if insomnia is not being caused by a disorder.
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Research On Valerian Root For Anxiety And Sleep
To be clear, science isn’t exactly sure how valerian even works. Some research suggests that valerenic acid, the main active component in valerian root extracts, binds to gamma aminobutyric acid receptors in the brain. It might also increase the amount of GABA in the brain, which is thought to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Prescription drugs like alprazolam and diazepam also target GABA receptors.
Additionally, the research on valerian root is unconvincing at best, especially for anxiety. Most studies are small and poorly designed.; Some studies find that valerian root improves sleep and anxiety symptoms, while other studies find it has little to no effect at all, further adding to the confusion. A 2020 meta-analysis that looked at 60 studies involving 6,894 people to try and determine why the research was inconclusive, although the drug had no severe side effects in adults. The researchers noted that the erratic findings could be due to the variable quality of herbal extracts. The authors noted that the plant could have more reliable effects on anxiety and sleep if the preparation and dosage of the root were more tightly controlled.
The general consensus is that valerian can be a useful treatment for some forms of anxiety and insomnia. Its important to note, however, that research isnt consistent and some studies suggest that it doesnt work to a greater degree than placebo, says Dr. Brown.
Can Valerian Root Be Taken Long
According to Rosemary Gladstar, its important to Avoid taking large doses of valerian for an extended period of time; instead, use modest doses for just 2 to 3 weeks, with a weeks break before you begin taking the doses again.
However, according to the Mayo Clinic, Valerian seems to be most effective after you take it regularly for two or more weeks, so it seems like around two weeks may be the sweet spot.
Some experts recommend taking valerian for 2-3 weeks, followed by a break of the same duration. I take this approach and rotate valerian root with passionflower.
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Different Cats Might Have Different Reactions To Valerian
In the same way that different cats can have varying reactions to catnip, two cats might have opposite reactions to valerian. For example, while one cat might get really energized and excited, and be totally ready to play and run after sniffing some valerian, another might not become as active and might feel calmer and more relaxed. Others might experience a combination of these reactions. And some kitties might even get a little aggressive, especially if theyre trying to keep a valerian toy all to themselves while your other cats are attempting to play with it.
Ultimately, you wont know how your unique kitty will react to valerian until he is exposed to some. So you might want to give it a try and then proceed based on your pets reaction to it. You might discover that it has no effect on him or you might find that he likes it way more than catnip.
What You Should Do Next:
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Maintaining Serotonin & Norepinephrine
One study found that valerian reduced stress in mice by helping maintain serotonin and norepinephrine in two specific brain regions that are associated with fear and anxiousness the hippocampus and amygdala. The presence of these two neurotransmitters helps to calm excessive activity in the hippocampus/amygdala.
Another study found that mice who were given valerian had reduced corticosterone levels, which is the mouse version of cortisol .
Of course, while sipping valerian tea or taking it in tincture form can be incredibly helpful during stressful times, theres more we can do to increase our stress resilience. Here are some of my top tips:
- Incorporate adaptogens, which are herbs that help the body adapt to stress
Always Check The Medications That You Are Taking And Explore If They May Interact
As discussed above melatonin and valerian root interacts with several medications. Some of the interactions can be indicated on the product label or read on the internet. It is good to always check which medications you are using and find out the interactions with the supplements to prevent disability or death.
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Valerian Tea Recipe + Benefits ^
Teas can be made more quickly, but as mentioned above certain beneficial compounds are not easily extracted with water. However, valerian root tea will have higher levels of glutamine, which is a building block of GABA.
Although many roots are boiled for 30-45 minutes to increase the extraction of precious compounds, with valerian we take a different approach in order to preserve its volatile oils.
Before you brew, one thing to know is that while very helpful for relaxation, valerian root is considered to have an unpleasant smell. I dont mind it, but you may prefer it in tincture form.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Bring water to a light simmer and pour over the valerian root. Cover the container so that the volatile oils are retained. A small plate works well as a cover. Let the tea infuse for 30 minutes, then strain out the root and serve.
What About Valerian Root Capsules
Some valerian root capsules contain an extract of one or two active constituents rather than the whole root. Since valerian root has several known active constituents , I prefer to tinctures and teas that extract a wider range of constituents from the plant.
Some capsules do incorporate the whole root, but when herbs are taken as a capsule the body needs considerably more time to break down and assimilate the nutrients. If digestion is weak, sometimes not all the therapeutic properties will be absorbed.
So whats the best extraction approach with valerian root? As I mentioned, there are benefits to both tincture and tea forms, so Ive included recipes for both below.
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Melatonin And Valerian Root: Why Cant You Take Valerian Root And Melatonin Together
What do you do when you cant get sleep? People always do different things; some take a sleeping pill, some use sleeping aids containing melatonin, valerian root among other supplements, others use natural ways to get sleep among other actions. But why cant you take valerian root and melatonin together?
The human body is created to get sleep when there is darkness and to be awake during the daytime. This controlled sleep and waking up is called the sleep-wake cycle. It is natural for us to feel sleepy during the night and after a good night sleep to be alert during the day.
This cycle is controlled by the nervous system. It results in a decrease in respiration that can sometimes cause central sleep apnea. It also slows down most systems to enable you to relax and rejuvenate.
The whole sleep-wake cycle is under the regulation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus . This is found in the hypothalamus. One of the effects of the suprachiasmatic nucleus is to initiate the production of melatonin at night by the pineal gland.
It should be noted that melatonin production starts as the darkness sets in at night. The production stops or is minimized when there is a lot of light. For this matter, it is good to have your bedroom at the optimal lighting for sleep. This means there should be darkness in your bedroom as you go to sleep.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use valerian if you are allergic to it.
Before using valerian, talk to your healthcare provider. You may not be able to use valerian if you have certain medical conditions.
It is not known whether valerian will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether valerian passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.
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A Few Things To Consider
Valerian is known for having a pretty potent, unpleasant odor, so it is a good idea to store it in an airtight container. This will keep the odor contained, and will also keep the herb fresher for longer so your kitty will be able to continue enjoying it.
As you shop for valerian products for cats, you may come across supplements and sprays that feature it as an ingredient for promoting blissful feelings in your pet. If you are hoping to use valerian root as a natural remedy for your kittys unease, its best to talk to your vet first so you can get the information you need, and so you can understand how to administer this herb to your companion in a safe and effective way.
Again, while valerian is a great and safe alternative to catnip for your feline friend, if you ever have any questions regarding giving your kitty catnip or any other herb, including valerian, consult with your veterinarian, who can steer you in the right direction.
Lisa Selvaggio
Use Cat Toys That Contain Valerian
In the same way that you can purchase pet toys that are filled with catnip to encourage your kitty to play, you can find toys that have valerian. You might also come across toys that contain a mix of catnip and valerian, so this is also an option, especially if you already know your kitty likes catnip.
If you find it difficult to locate valerian cat toys from major pet supply retailers, you might be able to turn to independent sellers, such as those on sites like Etsy, who make valerian cat toys. Of course, if you are handy and the DIY type, another option is to make your own toys;with valerian for cats that you purchase or grow yourself.
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Is There A Proof Of Recommended Dosage
Both supplements have a recommended dosage. It is important to always take the dosage of valerian root and melatonin as indicated in the labels. Overdose of either can have serious side effects.
Both supplements have a well-known dose with determined upper and lower limits of dosage. It is also important to note that the period of uptake is recommended for both supplements.