Valerian – Detailed information

VALERIAN FOR INNER PEACE, SLEEP AND WELL-BEING

There are times in life when even counting sheep doesn't help you wind down and fall asleep. The hectic pace and stress of a packed day manifest as inner restlessness , and you can't fall asleep or sleep through the night. The next day, you wake up feeling exhausted. Relaxation, physical and mental well-being, and restful sleep are essential prerequisites for balance, concentration, and performance throughout the day.

Fortunately, nature also provides a remedy for this: the traditionally valued medicinal plant valerian . The root of true valerian contains compounds that are associated with a calming effect on the nervous system.

VALERIAN: FOR NERVES, MIND AND SERENITY

Valerian has been used in medicine for over 2,500 years. In ancient Greece, true valerian (Valeriana officinalis) was used as a panacea. In the Middle Ages, it was primarily believed to help with eye diseases. At the end of the 18th century, physicians discovered the plant's calming and sleep-inducing effects.

Today, valerian is primarily used for physical and mental well-being and good sleep quality – as a natural supporter for a stressful lifestyle, providing more serenity during the day and evening. The ingredients of the strong-smelling root are considered a natural aid for relaxing evenings.

THE VALERIAN PLANT AND ITS ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Valerian root is used medicinally and contains, among other things, essential oil, lignans and sesquiterpene acids – collectively known as valerenic acid . Another active ingredient, isovaleric acid, is responsible for the plant's scent, which cats reportedly love but humans less appreciate. All of these substances are traditionally associated with a calming effect . Some studies suggest that these compounds may interact with natural messengers in the nervous system, such as GABA, the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid, but the exact mechanisms have not yet been fully understood.

THE USE OF VALERIAN

Valerian is often used in the form of tea, tincture, or capsules. Valerian root powder contains the powder from the rhizome, roots, and runners, thus preserving even delicate components such as essential oil.

Look for standardized products with valerenic acid concentration and well-tolerated formulations that are also suitable for sensitive individuals – for mental and physical well-being.

VALERIAN FOR THE SOUL

During stressful times, valerian can help you calm down and fall asleep more easily . Unlike chemical sleep aids, it doesn't interfere with your natural sleep architecture—the important REM phase is preserved. This way, you'll wake up the next morning feeling refreshed and not groggy.

Taking it in capsule form offers a clear advantage: all the valuable components of the valerian root are retained – in contrast to tea or bath additives, where fat-soluble or volatile ingredients can be lost.

IDENTIFYING VALERIAN PLANT

The perennial valerian grows in moist meadows, along riverbanks, and in humid forests. This medicinal plant is native to Europe and temperate zones of Asia. Valerian grows up to 1.8 meters tall and bears feathery flowers in all shades from light pink to white. It blooms from May to September.

Only when dried does the root develop its typical scent – loved by cats, often unfamiliar to humans, but characteristic of the plant.