Valerian for Insomnia User Reviews
Brand names: Valerian Root
Valerian has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from a total of 8 reviews for the off-label treatment of Insomnia. 38% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 38% reported a negative experience.
- Longi...
- September 30, 2019
"I suffer from insomnia, I took 500mg of Valerian at 8 PM before bedtime, I was laying in bed until 3 AM still awake, and from 9-PM to 3-AM my blood pressure rose very high and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, finally at around 3 AM this effect toned down and I fell into a deep sleep where I had a vivid dream for about 40 minutes, I woke up feeling refreshed but was not able to get back to sleep. My blood pressure returned to normal after that. I was taking Vraylar at the time so the pounding heart could have been an interaction, Overall Valerian did not seem to help with sleep onset or sleep duration. I stopped using it after that one night."
- Steph...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 12, 2021
"I have never been a great sleeper. A really good night would be six hours but regularly got less. Things got worse recently because of the current situation and I was taking so long to finally get to sleep it was horrible, then I’d waken early and couldn’t get back to sleep. It affected my whole life. I picked up Kalms Night a few days ago out of desperation. (I was a bit cynical) oh my goodness this stuff works!! As long as you remember to take it about an hour before you want to sleep. Every night since I started it I've got to sleep so easily and slept so so well, last night I slept 8 hours! And woke feeling so calm and rested.... this has been a God-send"
Frequently asked questions
- Carmen
- November 13, 2017
"I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, an auto-immune disease. Valerian was recommended to me for insomnia and so I took one. Because of my compromised auto-immune system, the pill had the opposite effect. I felt as if I had been given epinephrine and was in a 'run' mode all night long. By morning, I was exhausted and my head felt like it was about to explode. People with auto-immune disorder should definitely stay away from this herbal pill."
- Eddy...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 12, 2021
"For years I have very occasionally used a low dose of a benzodiazepine Brotilozam to sleep for many years. It worked fairly well without developing a tolerance, however recently I had a medical condition and began to take the medication nightly. Very soon I was up to a full dose and even that began to lose effect. Since I was worried about drug tolerance and addiction I looked for an alternative that would help me wean off from Brotilozam, after doing a lot of research on the internet I decided to try a valerian/hops mixture but was fairly skeptical. I was happily surprised find that the valerian/hops extract was very effective for me; after experimenting I found that if I take a 650 mg dose about an hour before desired sleep time I would fall asleep easily, sleep well and wake up refreshed. In fact, if I didn't have to get up to pee I am pretty sure that I would sleep the whole night. For me it worked wonderfully, now I sleep well every night and I am also complete off the benzodiazapine!"
Are you taking this medicine?
- Ted
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 23, 2020
"I am being treated for severe depression. So far the treatment has been successful. I was having trouble sleeping and "decided" to get this OTC medication to help me sleep. Trust me, this stuff is powerful, it feels stronger than Valium. The problem is the severe hangover effects the next day and it worsens your depression! Do not add this without your doctors advice."
- Stormy
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- March 5, 2017
"I have used valerian off and on for 26 years, no major side effect, at low doses. Usually I used this herb for insomnia which it works well. Also can be used for anxiety and stress; again at a low dosage. I would recommend on line information for your questions plus herbal specialists in your community. Do not exclude your doctor a MD or equally qualified professional. I am now adding valerian at night in conjunction with Zyprexa and Klonapin. Zyprexa at 15 mg on e pill, Klonapin at 0.50 or 1 mg dose. Do not recommend this combination yet to anybody. I am in the experimental phase. Stormy1959"
- Queen...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 8, 2021
"Took valerian for insomnia. Helps stay asleep and you feel MUCH better rested. I sleep 6 hours with VR or 10 hours without it. Only side effect is lucid dreams. I assume the other side effects (nausea, vomiting, etc) will only happen if you OD / are allergic. I weigh 150lbs and I take 650mg of high strength VR extract. 2 pill capsules."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
Learn more about Insomnia
- Anticholinergic Drugs to Avoid in the Elderly
- Benzodiazepines: Overview and Use
- What are the dangers of mixing sleeping pills with alcohol?
Care guides
Symptoms and treatments
Medicine.com guides (external)
More about valerian
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (28)
- Side effects
- Support group
- Drug class: herbal products
- Breastfeeding
- En español
"A doctor recommended trying Valerian 400 mg to help with sleep. Normally I fall asleep reasonably well but have trouble staying asleep. The first night I took this, an hour before my normal bedtime and it took me an extra 1 1/2 hours to fall asleep. Okay, maybe it wasn’t the Valerian and just coincidental. I took it a second night and was awake for half the night. Fell asleep almost 5 hours after going to bed! So this may work for some people, but for me it had the opposite effect. I think it’s worth mentioning in case someone else has a similar experience."