Valerian Root Benefits| Health Benefits of Valerian Tea

Valerian Root Benefits| Health Benefits of Valerian Tea

Valerian is an herb. Medicine is made from the root. Valerian root is an herb that comes from the perennial plant Valeriana officinalis, which is typically found growing in North America, Europe, and Asia. It is typically sold in a powdered form or as a fresh juice. It has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb. The herb became very popular in the 16th and 17th centuries to treat symptoms such as nervousness, headaches, and unsteadiness. Valerian is most commonly used forsleep disorders, especially the inability to sleep (insomnia). It is frequently combined with hops, lemon balm, or other herbs that also cause drowsiness.

Some people who are trying to withdraw from the use of “sleeping pills” use valerian tea to help them sleep after they have tapered the dose of the sleeping pill. There is some scientific evidence that valerian works for sleep disorders, although not all studies are positive. Valerian is also used for conditions connected to anxiety and psychological stress including nervous asthma, hysterical states, excitability, and fear of illness (hypochondria), headaches, migraine, and stomach upset.

Benefits of Valerian Tea

Pain Reliever

It calms and relieves pain making it great aid for many common everyday problems that most people experience.Valerian tea eases menstrual cramps. It eases stomach cramps. Valerian has also proven useful in alleviating headaches, reducing pain, improving menstrual flow and cramps, and as an aid with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Anxiety

Another health benefits of valerian tea is its ability to help alleviate the effects of stress and anxiety. Valerian is used as a general nervine, meaning a substance that has a tonic effect on the nerves, restoring balance and relieving tension and anxiety. In the study of herbs, a nervine is classified as stimulating or sedating. The researchers conclude that valerian root may be a viable alternative to traditional anti-anxiety drugs for some individuals.

Epilepsy

The anti convulsive effect of valerian tea was diminished when a substance that blocks a receptor for the molecule adenosine was administered prior to the valerian, leading the researchers to conclude that adenosine is an important component in the activity of valerian root on the nervous system. Valerian root benefits involve treatment of epilepsy.

Insomnia

The valerian root benefits people who wake up during the night. Some studies show that the herb may provide quick relief for poor sleep. But, it may take two to four weeks of daily use to bring improved sleep for people with serious insomnia. Numerous clinical studies in the United States and Europe have found valerian root to be effective in relieving stress and anxiety, as well as improve sleep quality. It has also been shown to decrease headaches in adults and improve sleep in children.

Source: Allegiance