Valerian

We've all been there; 3 in the morning, exhausted, eyes swollen from a sleep that still manages to elude us. Insomnia can be misery, but most people suffer this at least once. Prescription drugs for insomnia, called hypnotics, can cause countless side-effects, so what is one to do? Thanks to an herb called Valerian, you may be able to sleep easy.

It's always important to understand medications, and with hypnotics that isn't always easy. For a long time, barbituates were the medication given to help people sleep. Because of their addictive qualities, as well as the fact that they stopped working at low doses fairly quickly, they became replaced by a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs are prescribed today, though they can also lose effectiveness as the body develops tolerance.

For most people, however, powerful medications like this aren't necessary. Herbal remedies can help most people, and they offer the possibility of a higher-quality, restorative sleep that doesn't lead to grogginess the next morning. Herbs such as Valerian can be a natural, safer solution.

Valerian is available from health food stores, usually in a gelatin pill. This way of taking it helps to mask the foul taste inherent in Valerian. Extracting Valerian yourself is a complicated process and best avoided, as it may be difficult to properly measure dosages. If you've got the stomach for it, chewing the dried root can be an effective means of consuming Valerian, as can teas brewed from the roots. Like any herb, one should always take smaller doses at first, to determine its effect as well as to identify any allergies.

That being said, Valerian is an extraordinarily effective herb that is very easy to grow. An amateur gardener can grow Valerian using either seeds or root divisions. The plants self-sow, ensuring continuous generations with minimal effort. Be careful when planting Valerian seeds, as they are only viable for a small period of time. Valerian will thrive in rich, sunny soil that is well-drained, so plan your garden accordingly.

Once your Valerian plant is established, it shouldn't require too much upkeep: it is a hardy perennial and takes care of itself quite well. After the second year, you can harvest the roots (the part with the highest concentration of sleep-promoting compounds). It is best to leave this until the fall, however, when the plant has most of its energy stored in its roots.

The Valerian plant has long leaves that look similar to ferns. The flowers are tiny and develop in clusters of white, pink, or lavender. The stem is a long, grooved stalk that supports the leaves and flowers. For anyone interested in growing their own Valerian, for either aesthetic or homeopathic reasons, there are countless resources where one can learn much more about this herb.