Beautiful Plants For Your Interior
Valerian Root Extract
Valeriana officinalis
One of Europe's most widely used and historically significant sleep herbs — Valerian root has been used as a calming and sleep-promoting botanical since ancient Greek and Roman times. Modern Research confirms Valerian's ability to reduce sleep onset time, improve sleep quality, and decrease nighttime waking through multiple complementary mechanisms including GABA enhancement and adenosine activity.
What Is It?
Valeriana officinalis is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe and Asia, now naturalized across
North America. The root and rhizome contain the medicinal compounds — extracted and used medicinally
since at least the time of ancient Greece, where Hippocrates described its properties and Galen prescribed it for insomnia.
The name "Valerian" may derive from the Latin "valere" (to be strong or healthy) or from the Roman Emperor Valerian. Its distinctive strong, earthy odor comes from isovaleric acid — one of its many bioactive compounds. Valerian is officially recognized as a traditional medicinal plant for sleep support
by the European Medicines Agency.
North America. The root and rhizome contain the medicinal compounds — extracted and used medicinally
since at least the time of ancient Greece, where Hippocrates described its properties and Galen prescribed it for insomnia.
The name "Valerian" may derive from the Latin "valere" (to be strong or healthy) or from the Roman Emperor Valerian. Its distinctive strong, earthy odor comes from isovaleric acid — one of its many bioactive compounds. Valerian is officially recognized as a traditional medicinal plant for sleep support
by the European Medicines Agency.
How It Works
Valerian's sleep benefits come from multiple bioactive compound classes working together:
- Valerenic Acid — the primary active compound in Valerian, valerenic acid inhibits the breakdown of GABA in the brain and modulates GABA-A receptors — effectively increasing GABAergic activity without the dependency risks of pharmaceutical GABA modulators
- Isovaleric Acid — contributes to the sedative properties through mechanisms that are still being elucidated
- Iridoids (Valepotriates) — unique compounds with sedative and anxiolytic properties that may modulate serotonin receptors
- Adenosine Receptor Activity — some Valerian compounds interact with adenosine receptors —
the same system targeted by caffeine (from the opposite direction) — promoting drowsiness and sleep pressure
- Antioxidant Effects — Valerian's linarin and hesperidin provide antioxidant and mild sedative support
- Valerenic Acid — the primary active compound in Valerian, valerenic acid inhibits the breakdown of GABA in the brain and modulates GABA-A receptors — effectively increasing GABAergic activity without the dependency risks of pharmaceutical GABA modulators
- Isovaleric Acid — contributes to the sedative properties through mechanisms that are still being elucidated
- Iridoids (Valepotriates) — unique compounds with sedative and anxiolytic properties that may modulate serotonin receptors
- Adenosine Receptor Activity — some Valerian compounds interact with adenosine receptors —
the same system targeted by caffeine (from the opposite direction) — promoting drowsiness and sleep pressure
- Antioxidant Effects — Valerian's linarin and hesperidin provide antioxidant and mild sedative support
Side Effects & Considerations
Valerian has a long history of safe traditional use with a solid modern safety record:
- Generally well tolerated at standard doses
- Paradoxical stimulating effect in a minority of users — if this occurs try a lower dose or discontinue
- May cause vivid dreams in some individuals
- Mild digestive upset possible — take with food if sensitive
- May cause morning grogginess at higher doses — start low and adjust as needed
- May enhance effects of sedative medications and alcohol — avoid combining
- Not recommended during pregnancy or nursing
- May interact with certain medications metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes
- Not intended for long-term use beyond 4-6 weeks without a break — though many people use it safely for longer periods
Typical Dosage Range
300mg – 600mg daily
Most clinical studies use 300-600mg of standardized Valerian root extract (typically standardized
to 0.8% valerenic acid) taken 30-60 minutes before bed.
Effects may take 2-4 weeks of consistent use to reach maximum benefit — unlike some sleep aids,
Valerian's effects build gradually.
Not recommended for occasional acute use — best with consistent nightly dosing.
Works synergistically with other calming herbs and compounds including GABA, Melatonin, and L-Theanine as found in REMedy.
Research Notes
- Bent et al. (2006) — Systematic review in the American Journal of Medicine of 16 eligible studies found
Valerian may improve sleep quality without producing side effects — with the most consistent evidence for
subjective sleep improvement.
- Koetter et al. (2007) — Randomized double-blind trial published in Phytotherapy Research found Valerian plus Hops combination significantly reduced sleep latency and improved sleep quality compared to placebo in insomnia sufferers.
- Fernández-San-Martín et al. (2010) — Meta-analysis in Sleep Medicine confirmed Valerian's statistically significant improvement in subjective sleep quality across multiple studies without serious adverse effects.
- Trauner et al. (2008) — Research confirmed valerenic acid's positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A
receptors as the primary mechanism behind Valerian's anxiolytic and sleep-promoting effects.
Valerian may improve sleep quality without producing side effects — with the most consistent evidence for
subjective sleep improvement.
- Koetter et al. (2007) — Randomized double-blind trial published in Phytotherapy Research found Valerian plus Hops combination significantly reduced sleep latency and improved sleep quality compared to placebo in insomnia sufferers.
- Fernández-San-Martín et al. (2010) — Meta-analysis in Sleep Medicine confirmed Valerian's statistically significant improvement in subjective sleep quality across multiple studies without serious adverse effects.
- Trauner et al. (2008) — Research confirmed valerenic acid's positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A
receptors as the primary mechanism behind Valerian's anxiolytic and sleep-promoting effects.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.