Valerian root supplements are becoming more and more popular. Teas, gels, liquids, oils and capsules are sold widely across the Western world, particularly in the United States.
This herbal extract is beneficial for improving sleep and reducing anxiety. It has a distinct mood-enhancing effect and can alleviate insomnia, without the side effects of many stronger sedatives.
With the abundance of brands, product types and formulations available that it can be difficult to decide which is right for you. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different form you can buy Valerian root extracts in?



- Helps alleviate stress & anxiety
- Promotes better sleep & daytime alertness
- Boosts relaxation by enhancing GABA signalling
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The most popular form of the supplement is the pill form.
Capsules, tablets and softgels are easy to consume and dosages are pre-measured to ensure correct administration.
Users are generally recommended to take Valerian capsules before they go to sleep, or to use a lower dosage during the day to combat anxiety.
Some valerian root supplements will also combine this ingredient with other natural herbs like hops, chamomile and lemon balm to enhance the effects.
Valerian is also available as an herbal tea. Generally, herbal tea bags from this plant contains additional ingredients such as chamomile, to moderate the taste slightly, as valerian can have quite a bitter and strong taste.
You can also buy this supplement in a liquid tincture form that makes it easy to brew teas by adding in a few drops of the extract to a pot of tea.
Finally, valerian is sold as an essential oil. Adding a few drops of the oil to a bath or burning it using an oil burner, can have great effects. The oil is not only used for aromatherapy purposes, it can also be applied directly to the skin to help relieve pain from cuts, insect bites and stings.
This is perhaps the oldest use of the product in alternative medicine across Europe, over the last couple of hundred years.
Why Use Valerian Root Products?
People buy valerian root extracts for a variety of different reasons. A common reason for using the natural plant extract is to relieve the effects of stress, anxiety and even depression. Scientific studies suggest that valerian root products can increase the level of GABA in the brain.
GABA is a neurotransmitter which helps to regulate the body’s mood and has been shown to reduce the effects of stress and encourage restful sleeping. Valerian is also topically used on the skin to treat cuts and to relieve pain. Some reports suggest that valerian can aid the white blood cell production in the affected area.
Scientific research into Valerian is still limited and it remains in the realm of alternative medicine. Very few long term studies have been undertaken to determine exactly how valerian works and what effects it has on the body.
The information that we do have available, suggests that short term usage of valerian root products does not produce any serious side effects, provided they are not taken in conjunction with other sedative medications. It is also listed as being generally by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States.
Best Place to Purchase Valerian
There are many of online shops where you can buy valerian root products.
High quality sites should provide accurate ingredients listings with the percentage of natural valerian extract that the supplement contains.
Be wary of companies that do not specify whether they are providing extracts from the root of the plant or from the leaves and stems; the roots contain a much higher concentration of active compounds and are preferable to the leaves or stems.
There are some local retail stores that may carry Valerian products near you. The main advantage to this method is that it allows the user to actually smell the product. This is particularly important if you are considering to buy valerian root in soap form, gel form, or essential oil form.
Many manufactures mix additional natural and herbal ingredients to their valerian products, because the odor released from natural valerian extract is considered by many to be particularly unattractive. Testimonies and reviews online often use the word foul to describe this odor.
If you are buying it in a local store, check to ensure that the product is well within the range before its expiry date. Some small local stores may not sell high volumes of this product which may mean that have stale inventory. If Valerian root capsules are left for too long, the phytochemicals within the product can degrade and no longer be viable.
Although valerian is increasing in popularity (particularly in the United States) it is still not commonly available in all health food stores. If you live outside of a city or in a rural area, it can be quite difficult to obtain except through online vendors.
Typical Prices
In general the higher the percentage of natural extract in the product, the more effective the product will be and the more expensive it will be. Natural herbal ingredients are more difficult to source than chemically synthesized compounds as Valerian must be grown for several years before the roots can be harvested.
For users in the United States, you can typically expect to pay $5 – $10 for a 30 day supply of 450mg valerian root pills. Before you buy Valerian root, speak to your doctor to help you determine whether this is the best supplement for your needs.
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- Schellenberg R, Sauer S, Abourashed EA, Koetter U, Brattström A. The fixed combination of valerian and hops (Ze91019) acts via a central adenosine mechanism. Planta Med. 2004
- Weeks BS. Formulations of dietary supplements and herbal extracts for relaxation and anxiolytic action: Relarian. Med Sci Monit. 2009
Article last updated on: May 12th, 2018 by Nootriment