Home Garden
# Home & Garden >> Plants, Flowers & Herbs >> Herb Basics

Pros and Cons of Valerian Root

Valerian, or Valeriana officinalis, is a perennial herb native to Asia and Europe. Its roots are used as a mild sedative and sleep aid. Valerian use has advantages and disadvantages.

  1. Benefits

    • WebMD indicates that valerian acts like a sedative on the brain to cause drowsiness and relieve insomnia. Valerian is commonly combined with other relaxing herbs such as lemon balm. Some users add valerian to bath water to help with sleep disorders. Others use valerian as a treatment for anxiety, hypochondria, and depression, among other conditions.

    Considerations

    • Valerian is generally well tolerated. Children under 3 and pregnant or nursing mothers should not take valerian. Several mild side effects include itching, stomach upset, dizziness, and headaches. Avoid alcohol while using valerian root. In addition, WebMD recommends against combining sedative medications with valerian because of excessive drowsiness.

    Time Frame

    • WebMD indicates that valerian does not work as quickly as a sleeping pill for relieving insomnia. Patients must use the herb for anywhere from several days to four weeks before feeling any positive effects.

Previous:

Next:

Herb Basics
  1. Pros and Cons of Carpet Stair Treads
  2. Pros and Cons of Latex Beds
  3. Latex Mattress Pros and Cons
  4. Pros and Cons of a Tempur-Pedic Mattress
  5. Pros and Cons of Whole House Humidifiers
  6. Pros and Cons of Electrostatic Filters
  7. Pros and Cons of Faux Backsplash
  8. Pros and Cons of Hardwood Flooring Vs. Bamboo
  9. Pros and Cons of Using Epoxy Primer
  10. The Pros and Cons of Security Gates
  11. Pros and Cons of a Fireproof Safe
  12. Pros and Cons of Using Milk Thistle

Home Garden © https://www.98905.com