Valerian Tea

What is Valerian Tea?

Valerian Tea is a beverage prepared from the roots of the flowering Valerian plant, Valeriana officinalis. Its calming and sedative effects have been known for centuries, and Valerian has been used as a sedative, an anticonvulsant, a treatment for migrane headaches, and as a pain reliever, for centuries.

Today, Valerian is most often consumed in tea form. Valerian tea is prepared from Valerian extract, an oil derived from the dried roots of the Valerian plant.

Valerian is used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders, and is viewed as a natural alternative to both over-the-counter and prescription sleep medications. Scientific studies show strong evidence for Valerian's efficiacy as a sleep aid.

Valerian History

Valerian's use as a mediciinal supplement dates back to ancient Greece, when Hippocrates (the father of modern medicine) first described its properties. Greek physician Dioscorides prescribed Valerian as treatment for conditions with the liver, the urinary tract, and the digestive tract. Ancient Roman physician Galen of Pergamon prescribed Valerian as a treatment for insomnia.

In addition to its use as a medicinal supplement, Valerian was also used as a personal and bath-water perfume by the Chinese, and was even used as a good luck charm in Sweden, where it would placed in a groom's wedding clothes to ward off nefarious elves. It has been used as cooking spice, and for spiritual purposes by many cultures throughout history.

Interestingly, cats are attracted to Valerian in much the same way they are attracted to catnip, no doubt due to its calming properties. (Catnip can also serve as a sedative in humans, and is frequently including in herbal "calming" teas.) In fact, ancient Greek and Roman pharmacists and apothecaries would judge the quality of the their Valerian root based on a cat's reaction it it.

Valerian's Modern Uses

Today, Valerian is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other sleep disorders. With few side effects, Valerian is a safe and natural alternative to modern sleep medications. Valerian is sold over-the-counter at many health food stores, in both tea and caplet form, making it readily accessible to everyone.

A note of caution, though: A buyer should exercise care when purchasing Valerian extracts and teas. Since Valerian products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug administration, many newer or "fly-by-night" companies sell Valerian extracts with lower-than-advertised effective amounts. Make sure you get what you pay for by only purchasing from well-known, established, reputable companies.