Valerian

Valeriana officinalis, commonly known as Valerian, is a perennial herb and flowering plant in the family Valerianaceae, native to Europe and northwest Asia. It has been used as an herb in traditional medicine since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates described the properties of the plant, while Galen later listed it among the remedies for insomnia. In the past it was also used in patients with epilepsy.
Valerian root has hypnotic, anxiolytic and sedative properties due to the oils it contains, which have similar effects to benzodiazepines. It is used as a natural sedative and relaxant of the nervous system, to treat insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, tension, mild symptoms of mental stress and headaches.
A number of scientific studies on valerian's effects on sleep quality and duration have mixed results, and most conclusions about its medicinal properties are based primarily on long-term use. However, according to the European Medicines Agency, the effectiveness of the plant's properties is considered reasonable, as it has been safely used in pharmaceutical preparations for at least 30 years (15 of them within the EU).
The dried root of the plant shows no side effects when consumed according to the recommended daily dosage (7-10 grams).

Herbs are and should be treated as medicines. We recommend that you always consult your doctor before using them.