Valerian is a perennial that is located in Europe, North America, and some areas of Asia. It’s the rootstock portion of the plant that contains all the numerous active compounds that some believe give Valerian it’s medicinal characteristics.

The effects and benefits of Valerian can be widely positive, especially for those that have trouble sleeping. The health benefits of Valerian may outweight it’s possible side effects, so you can make the determination for yourself.

One of the keystone effects of Valerian is the ability to fight insomnia by encouraging and promoting sleep. In some countries located in Europe, Valerian is officially approved strictly for this ability as some studies have demonstrated that Valerian greatly outperforms placebos.

Some experts on Valerian note that it is not an addictive substance and will not render you groggy as an after-effect the next day, as opposed to some other sleep aids and prescription drugs may do.

In addition, another mood-relaxing benefit of valerian is it’s claimed ability to insert a feeling of calm and relaxation into your body, so it may be beneficial in treating stress and anxiety. Other benefits that some claim Valerian to have include improving cramps and menstrual flow, alleviating headaches, pain relief, and treating irritable bowel syndrome.