Valerian tea is made from the roots and underground stems of the valerian plant. It has proven helpful in decreasing stress, relieving menstrual symptoms, reducing menopausal symptoms and enhancing sleep. While not all the benefits are supported by scientific evidence, there are tons of people who swear by the effects of valerian tea. Valerian is often referred to as a magic sleep potion. It is the leading non-prescription sedative in Europe and is available in tea, pill or capsule form. It has a woodsy taste that not everyone finds pleasant. The longer the tea brews the more intense the flavor. It can be combined with other ingredients to soften the taste.
Improve sleep – Valerian offers sleep-enhancing properties. Taking valerian may reduce the time it requires to fall asleep and may also improve the quality of sleep. Most studies have looked into valerian in pill or capsule form. While the tea provides a lower concentration of valerian, sipping a warm beverage also helps with relaxation.
Some believe that valerian can decrease anxiety and stress. For women who suffer from severe period pain and cramping, over-the-counter medications often fail to provide relief. Valerian root offers a natural remedy. Several studies indicate that valerian is helpful in treating the symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes and insomnia are common complaints and most conventional medications come with harmful and long-term side-effects.
The side-effects of valerian tea are generally quite mild. Because of its sedative properties, you shouldn’t combine this type of tea with drinking alcoholic beverages or medications targeted at sleep or muscle relaxation. Some people complain of headaches, stomach issues, insomnia, uneasiness and fogginess after drinking valerian tea. You might even feel sluggish the following day. Avoid valerian tea if you’re taking medication used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures or other psychiatric disorders as it may interfere with these drugs.