What Is Valerian Tea?

Valerian, or Valeriana officinalis, can help relieve stress, ease insomnia and reduce anxiety. An over-the-counter, herbal alternative to sleeping pills that have benzodiazepine, you can find valerian in the form of tea, extract, cut roots or capsules.

How to Use

Holistic Online warns against preparing valerian tea in boiling water, as it might drive off some of the oils, the most effective part of the plant. To prepare the tea, steep 2 teaspoons of valerian roots in 2 cups of warm water for an entire day. Take it before bedtime, after straining it and warming it up.

Side Effects

Valerian might not work for everyone, and could cause mild indigestion, headache, palpitations, and dizziness, giddiness or disorientation, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Some people may experience allergic reactions such as rashes, hives or difficulty breathing. Also, the roots and liquid extract form of valerian have a strong, distinct smell that many people do not like.

The Herb

Valerian, a perennial herb, grows to about 4 to 5 feet in size, with clusters of pink or white flowers, notes Innvista.com. It blooms in June and July, growing in damp places all over the world, though native to Europe. Its oil mainly resides in the roots.

History

According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, use of valerian as a natural sleeping aid began in ancient Greece and Rome, during the 9th century B.C. to 5th century A.D. In the 2nd century A.D., Roman physician and philosopher Galen prescribed it as an cure for insomnia. Over time, its uses broadened to treat "nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations," in the 16th century, the ODS says, and to "relieve the stress of air raids" in England during World War II.

Etymology

When Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia, he called it "phu," for its pungent smell. In the 9th or 10th century it became known as valerian, deriving from the Latin verb "valere," meaning "to be happy," says Innvista.com.

Warning

Valerian users should avoid taking it with additional sedatives or anything that depresses the central nervous system, such as antihistamines.The ODS also cautions that pregnant women and children under 3 years old should not take valerian, due to lack of research on its effects.