Valerian Root Tincture Dosages, Benefits and How to Make

Valerian tincture has been a staple of natural medicine for thousands of years. It was for a long time considered to be a “cure all” for anything that might ail you.

Valerian root was believed to calm nerves, regulate heart rhythms, improve impaired breathing and establish healthy sleep patterns by promoting tranquility and a sense of well-being.

Interestingly, this herb was used as a traditional remedy in vastly diverse cultures covering a broad geographical range. It was previously used as a liquid tincture, prepared into tea or taken as loose powder.

Today, Valerian root pills are more common, but there are still many herbal health stores that carry tincture extracts of the Valerian plant.

Valerian Root

Herbal Supplement

Calmness

Mood

Sleep Onset

How It Works:

• Helps alleviate stress & anxiety
• Promotes better sleep & daytime alertness
• Boosts relaxation by enhancing GABA signalling

Dosage:

Between 300 - 900 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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What is Valerian Tincture?

Valerian is a wild grassland flowering plant that grows in Europe and Asia.

A valerian liquid tincture is made by soaking the roots of the herb in alcohol to extract the active compounds.

Some tinctures may use the leaves and stems of the plant as well, but the root has the highest concentration of medicinal ingredients.

The ancient Greeks and Romans ground the root of the hard herbaceous plant and mixed it with water to make a salve or poultice to treat infection and promote healing in wounds, burns and skin irritations.

The leaves of the plant were referred to in old legends as “God’s Hand” and were used in a healing balm for minor cuts and scrapes. A few of the moist leaves were wrapped around a cut finger or scraped toe to ease pain and prevent infection.

When dried and finely pulverized, the root was the base for many herbal potions. Valerian tinctures and teas were also to treat fear, anxiety, depression, migraine headaches, muscle spasms, irritability, lack of focus, memory loss, erectile dysfunction, menstrual complaints as well as sleep disorders.

It was also used generally for the purpose of mood enhancement and to promote calm, relaxation and a sense of well-being.

Long History of Medicinal Use

In America, as early as the 16th century, Shaker settlers commercially cultivate vast fields of valerian for sale to the pharmaceutical industry and doctors. Women in particular became frequent users of valerian tinctures and tonics and for some, the extremely high potency root extract became an addiction.

Valerian overdose was common with symptoms that included dizzy spells, giddiness, euphoria, lack of coordination and sedation. Although some women overused the calming herb to the point of dependency, for many it safely and without side effects, relieved pain, quieted nerves, soothed irritability and anger and encourage restful and healing sleep.

It was about this same time period in history when valerian was commonly used in witchcraft. The root was used to cast spells and repel evil energies, improve mood and was relied upon in “cat magic” as an attraction to felines. Valerian contains “cat-attracting” properties similar to catnip. Valerian was also used in rituals to evoke animal spirits.

Valerian gained new popularity a decade ago when research studies confirmed it was beneficial in treating persons with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson Disease, dementia or memory loss.

It is primarily valued for its role in relieving pain and promoting a good nights rest. Valerian root tincture is frequently recommended as a muscle relaxant and mild tranquillizer.

The herb may relieve anxiety and can have positive effects on the central nervous system. It is used to help reduce depression and overexertion.

Many herbal practitioners have also found valerian tincture to be an extremely helpful herbal remedy in the treatment of children and adults with ADD and ADHD. Valerian helps in calming and balancing moods in person so afflicted.

How to Use Valerian Tinctures

There are several advantages to using tinctures over capsules or pills. One of those is a greater flexibility in dosages and methods of administration.

A Valerian tincture can be mixed into a tea or other type of beverage, swallowed on its own, or even dropped into a hot bathtub full of water for a soothing effect on the skin.

Dosing can be more personalized compared to pre-formulated pills as the user can simply measure out a smaller amount of the liquid to take.

However, it can also be easier to make a mistake in dosage when using a liquid tincture. It is best to purchase a product that provides an accurate dropper to avoid mistakes.

Typical dosages of Valerian tinctures will depend on the ailment being treated.

The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that 4 mL to 6 mL is the appropriate daily dose for insomnia. This is best taken between one or two hours before bedtime to induce sleepiness. If taken earlier in the day, it may cause unwanted drowsiness in some individuals.

For the treatment of anxiety, tinctures are often taken in lower dosages of 2 mL to 4 mL per day with dosages sometimes split between two or three administrations. In research studies, effects are most prominent following four weeks of consistent use.

Research Studies

Scientists in Switzerland and Germany have conducted wide-ranging studies on the effects of valerian tincture and have validated that the herb promotes sleep with long-term use. Participants receiving this herbal extract reported falling asleep faster and sleeping sounder than those given a placebo.

Studies have also identified an ingredient of valerian, called valeportriate, as producting sedative and tranquilizing effects.

In another study, the participants were divided into three groups: those who took valerian supplement alone, those given a combination of valerian and other herb including hops and St. John’s Wort and a third group that was given a placebo.

All those that received active ingredients (valerian alone or in combination with other supplements) reported improved sleep patterns. The greatest improvement was seen in the group that received Valerian and hops.

Those who took the placebo continued to experience sleep pattern complaints.

Grow Valerian in Your Home Garden

For gardening enthusiasts, valerian is an attractive addition to the organic herb garden. The foliage is deep green and fern-like. From early spring through late summer the plant is covered with clouds of sweetly fragrant bright white and soft pink flowers.

For centuries, an extract from the fragrant blooms was an important ingredient in perfumery. Bath salts, oils and lotions, used prior to bedtime following a long hot bath, promoted sound sleep.

Valerian can be propagated from seeds or root cuttings and grows best win nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with plenty of sunshine. Seeds are available from herbal growers or for purchase online. Because valerian attracts cats, gardeners may find it necessary to provide some protection to the plants.

One of the interesting attributes of valerian is the flowers are quite sweet smelling, but the odor of the root is diametrically opposing and smells awful. The scent and taste are the reason most people prefer Valerian tinctures, tablets, capsules or mixing the powdered dietary supplement in a fruit smoothie to hide the taste.

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