How are you sleeping?
If you’re like 30% of the general population, not very well. According to the National Institutes of Health, 30% of the general population complains of sleep disruption, with 10% having symptoms of insomnia.
Most sufferers either use prescription medication, self-medicate, suffer in silence, or use medicinal herbs such as valerian root to promote a good night’s sleep. If you’ve just started experimenting with tea, you’ve probably come across valerian root listed in your tea’s ingredients, or seen it on lists of teas you must try, but if you’re like I was when I first started drinking tea, you don’t actually know what it is.
What Exactly is Valerian Root?
Valerian root comes from a plant called Valeriana officinalis, which is an herb that grows up to five feet tall and has delicate, sweet-smelling pink and white flowers. The plant is native to Europe and Asia but was introduced to the US in the 19th century. Its roots have been used as a medicine since the time of ancient Greece and Rome, and Hippocrates (a famous Greek doctor) prescribed it to combat fatigue.
In the 16th century, valerian root was used to treat “nervousness” (aka stress and anxiety) and headaches, and it can be taken today via tea, as it has been taken traditionally, or as tablets or capsules. Valerian root is still being studied today, over a thousand years after the first records. Why? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits.
What are the Benefits of Valerian Root?
1 | Reduces Feelings of Anxiety and Stress
If you’re one of the many people who struggle with stress and anxiety, valerian root is believed by many healthcare professionals to be an all-natural alternative to even prescription drugs like Xanax, Ativan, and Valium, because it too acts on GABA receptors. GABA stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid, but all you need to know is that these receptors are responsible for reducing the activity of neurons in the brain that can make us feel out of control and panicky.
While the jury is still out on whether valerian root can really compete with pharmaceuticals, a 2015 study by none other than Harvard found that valerian root was the most effective in treating the anxiety felt by those who suffer from bipolar disorder.
2 | Eases Symptoms of Menopause
While not everyone going through menopause experiences the same symptoms, a common one is hot flashes. Valerian root was found in one 2013 study to reduce the frequency and severity of these flashes in comparison with a placebo group, thus allowing you to wake up less frequently with discomfort.
3 | Combats Insomnia
While teas containing chamomile and lavender take the spotlight when it comes to sleep, valerian root also deserves some fame. A study published in the American Journal of Medicine in 2006 evaluated 16 other studies for a total of 1093 patients and saw that the patients who took valerian root for insomnia had an easier time getting to sleep.
Drinking tea containing valerian root as part of a bedtime ritual can be just what you need to help you sleep without the groggy feeling the next morning. Our Valerian ZZZs sleep tea contains valerian root, in addition to chamomile, rooibos, spearmint, and lemongrass, all designed to work in concert to promote your body’s natural ability to sleep soundly.