Has Anyone Used Valerian?

Question

I have some serious anxiety issues when it comes to storms. I was told valerian is good for calming your nerves. I was just wondering if anyone has used it and if it is helpful. I also have insomnia. Thanks for any info anyone can give me!

Answer 1

Yes, the valerian capsules from a health food store will calm you.

DO NOT - regardless of that other answer - take it constantly. And yes, it's supposed to smell like dirty socks.

Answer 2

Valerican root is very useful in helping with anxiety and insomnia. I haev sued it successfully many times to help me sleep. Another good side effect is that for some people dreams are so much more vivid when using Valerian. I would suggest it to somene that needs help sleeping.

It stinks though, so don't smell the capsule bottle. =D

Answer 3

Yes and it didnt do anything for me xxxx

Answer 4

I've used it, it did ok, if you're body doesn't need it you will burp it up for days. (and it's not pleasant).  Try synthetic melatonin, try 3 capsules at first, in the evening, it will make you sleep like a rock, calm nerves and won't make u burp.

Here is info from a site about Valerian:

Many people use Valerian Root ro help them through bouts of sleeplessness. As its popularity grows, so does the curiousity about potential side effects. Aside from being a very natural alternative to over-the-counter synthetic drugs, it's surprisingly safe. However, just as any other herb or plant used for consumption, it has its limits.While Valerian is absolutely fabulous for treating insomnia, it's also used for various other afflictions such as anxiety as a result of alcohol withdrawl, panic related anxiety, the flu, and muscle aches and pains. Knowing that, you may get a slight idea of the general effects of Valerian just by estimating the reverse feelings of the above descriptions - envision aa calm, tranquil state. With that in mind, the side effects that you can expect to experience are semi-obvious. Drowsiness and or lack of ability to remain alert are the most common of the side effects. Because this root aids insomnia (inability to sleep), the drowsiness that accompanies that makes it unsafe for driving, operating heavy machinery, or any other activity that requires the participant to be alert. The proper dosage of Valerian Root is appx. 18-24 grams (1tsp liquid or 400-450mg of the root in caplets). There has only been one reported overdose while using Valerian Root in 1995 and the user took over 20 times the recommended dosage and the user recovered within 24 hours. Other potential side effects when taking Valerian in larger doses are nausea, dizziness, restlessness, blurry vision, and excitability. These, however, have only been reported after very large doses have been consumed - often times with the accompaniment of alcohol, which is strongly discouraged. When using this root for insomnia, do not take it (or any other sleep aid) for more than two week periods. You should not get accustomed to taking a sleep aid in order to sleep - you need to assist your body in learning how to sleep at appropriate times. However, using a natural product to aid your body in its habits is highly preferable in comparison to using synthetic, over-the-counter drugs to chemically alter your body's state.http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

Here is a great melatonin site too much info to paste

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/melaton...

In fact I am on atavan right now and the site says it can be used for people on atavan, having similar effects without the side effects.  Thx for the q, I learned something new today

God Bless

Answer 5

Valerian is great unless taken by highly strung people, as it can send them over the edge...

Answer 6

I've used it, but only off-and-on...and apparently, you're supposed to take it regularly for a few weeks before noticing any effects.

I have bad anxiety too, and I did notice a slight calm feeling with valerian. But I should say, if you're totally unable to control your anxiety, valerian won't help. I've been working to handle and control my anxiety for about a year now...and I think that if you're the kind of person who gets bad attacks, horribly negative thoughts...you should probably get all that worked out before you try valerian.

Answer 7

Valerian is very helpful for anxiety, so is Skullcap. Both also work  well for insomnia. The key for these herbs to work is to ensure you're getting quality herbs. Most health food stores are selling herbs of very poor quality due to not storing them properly. Even the capsuled ones are not great, they tend to be old and they are ground which causes them to lose potency very quickly. Any herbs that you are going to use, if you plan on grinding them and putting them into capsules, they should be ground immediately before encapsulation to ensure decent quality and potency. And be sure to only make as many as you will be able use in a month or so.

I've used both herbs and found them extremely effective, but again, it greatly depends on the quality. The herbs should have a very distinct odour and colour. If they are grey, so dry that they are brittle and have no real identifying smell, don't buy them, they're no good.

Another quick note, all herbs are MUCH more effective as a tea. You can blend Skullcap and/or Valerian (Valerian has quite a strong flavour, but does blend not too badly with peppermint or spearmint tea) into any herbal tea you like. The affects are stronger and are noticed much more quickly.