Valerian For Anxiety, Insomnia, Stress and More

What Are The Health Benefits of Valerian?

Valerian is an herb known for its powerful benefits of providing anxiety and stress relief. Just like any other nervine herbs, Valerian can either have stimulating or relaxing effects. Our bodies are exposed to plenty of stressful situations every day, but we have no idea how much stress our body has been enduring until we suffer from its debilitating symptoms.

Valerian For AnxietyUnfortunately, instead of making some positive changes in one’s lifestyle in order to reduce these adverse effects of stress, many people turn to the ‘quick fix’ of prescription medications.

As people rely on the temporary relief provided by these drugs the root cause of pain is often overlooked.

As a result, new pain and illnesses arise while the person tries so hard to overcome their dependency to these medications.

Herbs like Valerian can provide the same stress and anxiety relief without the need to be reliant for prescription medications.

Valerian can be used for the relief of many problems, including the following:

Valerian For Anxiety and Insomnia

The mild sedative effect of Valerian has made it one of the most commonly used herbs for treating people with insomnia. Valerian is also known to be effective for alleviating the symptoms of nocturnal anxiety, panic attacks and restlessness.

In most cases, those who take Valerian for anxiety and insomnia, usually awake feeling refreshed and alert without any signs of negative morning-after effects, such as with prescription medications.

Stress Causes High Blood Pressure

Too much exposure to stress can also lead to high blood pressure. With Valerian’s gentle sedative effect to the nervous system, you will become more relaxed and relieved from stress and anxiety. Subsequently, lowering of blood pressure occurs.

  • In addition, its valerenic acid contains enzymes that inhibits the process of breaking down of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) so that blood pressures will be regulated.

Attention Deficit Disorder

Those people who were diagnosed with ADHD or Attention Deficit Disorder can also benefit from taking Valerian. The relaxing effect of this herb helps people achieve better focus. On the other hand, its stimulating effect also enabled them to concentrate for a longer period of time while experiencing improved coordination as hyperactivity reduces.

Other Health Benefits

If you use Valerian for anxiety, insomnia or stress, you may be interested to know there are more health benefits. Many people who suffer with anxiety also have stomach discomfort, such as these…

  • Menstrual Cramps – Valerian’s anti-spasmodic effect can also be felt inside the smooth muscles of the uterus. The spasmodic contractions of a woman’s intestinal muscles can also be prevented, as it soothes the pelvic muscles and ligaments thereby providing relief from menstrual cramps.
  • Stomach Problems – The ability of valerian to soothe and calm digestive muscles has made it a very helpful herb for treating constipation, upset stomach and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The soothing effect of valerenic acid is the one that provides relief even to those people who are suffering from stomach ulcers.

Tips for Using Valerian

Valerian should not be used in conjunction with other over the counter or prescription medications such as antidepressants and sleeping tablets. This is to avoid experiencing dizziness or drowsiness which can be counterproductive to the purpose of taking Valerian.

  • If you are taking any anxiety medications, it would be wise to consult your health care provider before you use Valerian for anxiety.

The use of Valerian and other anxiety herbs for easing anxiety symptoms, is a natural alternative to using mainstream drugs. These herbs can definitely help in giving you relief, without the adverse side effects of medications.

  • Valerian is available in tea, tablet or capsule form. You may also find it many natural anxiety supplements, such as ProVanax. Valerian is just one of the ProVanax ingredients.

References:
1. http://elixirultineretii.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/medical-benefits-of-valerian-root/
2. http://www.mdidea.com/products/herbextract/valerian/data06.html

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My website contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase any products mentioned in my articles, I may receive a commission. If you do, thank you!

About Jennifer Johnson

I suffered with social anxiety and stress for years. I discovered what my triggers were and learned to control them. Hopefully some of the natural anxiety relief techniques I have tried, will also be your solution.

Comments

  1. Boris Nunez says

    Melatonin!? That’s a natural sleep aid supplement. It’s used mostly for people with jet lag, and have problems sleeping. I fail to see how that might help anxiety at all, besides making the user sleepy. I think the best drug for anxiety, is fresh food and eating healthy. Simple as that. Also, plenty of exercise. Don’t be so quick to resort to substances. Yes, melatonin. Studies show it has anxiolytic properties. Also, fresh food and healthy eating might help with stress and anxiety that is not clinically disordered, but it won’t be of much help to someone with an anxiety disorder. I should know; I used to work out 6 days per week and eat very healthful foods, keeping track of every calorie, and its source. This made me feel better overall, but did nothing to remedy my anxiety, nevermind mitigating panic attacks.

    • I don’t understand your point or melatonin which wasn’t discussed? Herbs have been used for thousands of years to help people. Anxiety and stress are often diseases and need to be treated. Simply exercising and eating well won’t necessarily resolve the problem. In fact you actually say that i.e. you seem to be contradicting yourself. If it helps I take valerian, ashwagandha and lot of B vits and fishoil. I’m not 100% but I’m much better than where I was, which was hell.

  2. Jennifer Johnson says

    Hi Boris,

    I haven’t mentioned melatonin…and I certainly agree with you…a healthy diet is so important, as I have written here.
    https://anxietyreliefstress.com/category/anxiety-diet/

    However, I do believe eating healthy foods, and also not eating unhealthy foods, reduces anxiety. It does for me anyway.

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