Which is safer: Valerian root pills or Valerian root in general?

Question

I want to use valerian root as a sleep aid. I do not have trouble falling asleep i just have a problem staying asleep. I often wake up out of breath. I hear that valerian root can help this and it is natural. However upon going to my Local GNC i have noticed that it is in pill form, So i was curious to know if Valerian root is effective in pill form or is it better used as valerian root extract? Which on is safer?

Answer 1

i am against homeopathic medicine in general, but if you must use it. I suggest Melatonin as a sleep aid.  

Answer 2

As long as you are buying from a reputable company, both are perfectly safe. I have had good success with a tincture from Herbs, Etc. that contains Valerian but is mixed with several other herbs that help sleep, including Passion Flower, Hops & California Poppy.

Some companies to consider are Frontier, Now Foods, Nature's Answer, HerbPharm, Gaia, Nature's Way, Herbs, Etc. Most health food stores will carry these.

You can try the "shotgun" approach but you'll have better success if you talk to a professional Naturopath about what is causing you're breathlessness.

Answer 3

Recently i started take Valerian root tea. Its really effective but its taste is very annoyingly pungent. Personally i don't trust pharmaceutical companies. I don't know what else they are putting in their Valerian pills aside from valerian or how many times its been extracted so i don't trust them. I just take 2 grams of valerian, steep it in tea for 8 minutes, dab it for 2, add alot of honey, and have a good nights sleep.

The sleep from the root feels like hypnosis practically, its incredible.

I got my whole root at www.shamansgarden.com

Answer 4

Both are effective but the pill would be manufactured under (hopefully) strict  -read safe - conditions.  I've used Valerian root pills before and they're a mild relaxant.  However, I think you need to make an appointment with a sleep clinic.  If you're often waking up out of breath, you may have sleep apnea.  You stop breathing.  That's likely the reason you're waking throughout the night.  My husband did the same thing.  He has sleep apnea.

Answer 5

I have used 5-HTP and Valerian Root tablets.

I would suggest the tablets because then you know how much you are taking each night and then can tailor the dosage to suit you.

Valerian works well and is very calming. My step mother and father both use it with success, as do I. I find if I take the right amount it's very calming and gets me to sleep

But if I have too much I sometimes get mildly anxious the next day. But I am a nervous wreck so take that with a pinch of salt!

I have found 5-HTP to not give any anxiety the next day and is a stronger sleep aid, at the dosage of 100mg before bed.

BOTH are effective, I prefer 5-HTP but I do still have some Valerian around the house. I am going to use the Valerian to take a break from 5-HTP. 5-HTP is slightly more expensive though.

Edit: I would not worry as both supplements have an excellent safety record. Valerian may give mild "bowel discomfort" for a day or two but this goes away.