Ingredient
Valerian root
Valerian root is the dried underground part of Valeriana officinalis, a plant traditionally used in European herbal medicine for mild nervous tension and sleep problems.
Reviewed health uses
Situational stress
The EMA documents traditional use of valerian-root preparations for temporary mild nervous tension and to promote natural sleep. A Cochrane review found too little evidence to determine whether valerian treats anxiety disorders; this is indirect to situational stress and does not establish benefit for this ailment.
Insomnia
Human trials and systematic reviews of valerian root preparations report inconsistent results, with some subjective improvements but no reliable clinically meaningful benefit across studies. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests clinicians not use valerian for chronic insomnia. Evidence is form- and population-specific and does not establish benefit for teas, tinctures, or other products outside studied preparations.
Household preparations
Safety information
No published ingredient-specific cautions are attached.