Valerian Tea
The Truth about Valerian Tea
Those who believe in herbal medicine have made various amazing claims for valerian tea. But are they true? Is there any evidence valerian tea does what it claims?
Here’s what we know from a scientific point of view.
Valerian as a Cure for Insomnia
Since ancient times, insomniacs have looked to valerian tea as a cure for their sleep troubles. In fact, the name “valerian” comes from the Roman name “Valarius”. Don’t let those websites that try to claim this tea for China foul you, this is a tea of European origin. The valerian plant is found right in Europe and doesn’t quite extend to China as its natural region of growth.
In regard to insomnia, valerian is definitely effective in getting people to sleep so long as they have mild cases of insomnia. Drinking a bit of tea fifteen to twenty minutes before you hit the sack is likely to help you along to the land of Nod.
One needs to be careful, however, not to use this as a method of getting to sleep every night, as one can become dependent on valerian as on any other drug.
Short-Term Side Effects of Valerian Tea
In some cases, people get the opposite effect of what they are looking for from valerian. That is, valerian makes some people feel wide-awake and antsy. Some users also report dizziness, headaches, and stomach difficulties.
Valerian may also have severe negative effects when combined with prescription painkillers and drugs that affect the liver. Before taking valerian tea, you should consult with your physician if you are on any prescriptions with similar effects or areas of interaction.
Pregnancy Recommendation
Researchers have not studied the effects of valerian on pregnancy, so you should not use it until after you have finished breastfeeding.
Long-Term Side Effects of Valerian Tea
The long-term effects of valerian are far more serious. If you become addicted to valerian and use it for a prolonged period, you may become depressed, suffer severe liver damage and damage your nervous system. For this reason, you should only take valerian as you would flu medicine, while symptoms last but not for more than a week or two at time during any season.
Anti-Anxiety Medication
Another claim made for valerian is that it helps with anxiety. Although people suffering with mild cases of anxiety have reported some positive results, people with more fully developed anxiety have not noticed these benefits. This is no doubt because anxiety has a strong psychological element that does not respond to this mild type of chemical treatment.
Menstrual Cramps and Digestive Problems
Some women have found that valerian tea does help against menstrual cramps. As long as it is only used with the most severe cramping, valerian is a good substitute for other sorts of cramp relievers.
For the same reasons, valerian helps with menstrual cramps; it also helps with other digestive problems and is sometimes used as a medication for irritable bowel.
Muscle Spasms
Some have also recommended valerian for muscle spasm. Its effectiveness has a lot to do with what the cause of the muscle spasm is, since muscle spasm is more of a symptom than a condition. However, there is not too much evidence of valerian’s effectiveness, although herbalists more commonly recommend thyme tea for this condition.
Lower Blood Pressure
Although some herbalists recommend valerian tea as a cure for high blood pressure, I have found no scientific evidence for this claim.
Tumor Prevention
The most outrageous claim made for valerian is that it will somehow prevent tumors. There is no scientific evidence for this claim either.
Overall, valerian tea, if used with moderation can be a mild remedy for insomnia and cramps. As usual, however, the more extreme claims have no basis in science. Always look for the weasel words, “may help”. “May” almost always means there is little to no evidence for it—otherwise these benefits would be advertised much more strongly and prominently. They would not leave “tumor prevention” for last if valerian actually did prevent tumors.