For centuries, the tall perennial herb with pinkish flowers known as valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has been enlisted to help restless insomniacs get a sound night’s sleep. Today this mild, nonaddictive sedative is quite popular both as a sleep aid and as an anxiety fighter, particularly in Germany, France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. And in recent years its popularity has grown enormously in the United States as well.

This graceful plant grows wild in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its underground stems and roots are harvested and dried to make healing preparations.

Dr. Edelberg's comment: To say that valerian has a long therapeutic history is an understatement. The earliest recorded medical documents in ancient Greece refer to valerian, interestingly, as "pfui," most likely because of its truly unpleasant odor. And now, well over two thousand years later, there have been dozens of clinical studies confirming what the Greeks knew. These studies confirm the safety and effectiveness of valerian both as a sleep aid and a mild daytime anti-anxiety therapy and muscle relaxant.

Valerian acts on GABA receptors in the brain, making it a little like Valium, although the name similarity is purely coincidental. People taking Valerian as a sleep aid fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer than those taking a placebo. There is virtually no next day "hangover" effect and no one has ever reported any problems with drug dependence or addiction.

However, you do need to take enough Valerian, and most people don't. For daytime anti-anxiety effect, the dose is one capsule (425 mg) up to three times a day. You'll need to triple that amount (three capsules, 425 mg) at bedtime, for sleep.

Contains 90 Capsules

Ingredients
Each 425 mg. capsule contains 100% Fresh Freeze-Dried:
• Wildcrafted Valeriana sitchensis rhizome & root.

WARNING: If pregnant or lactating discuss use with your physician before taking product.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.