Valerian
plant
taxonomy
parts used
application
mode of action
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Roots
Insomnia (stress/anxiety induced) treatment
Used for treatment of insomnia. May work as well as benzodiazepines in promoting natural sleep over time. Herbal hypnotic and sedative. May also have follow-on soporific effects (in stress-induced insomnia) due to shared pathways via down-regulation of neurological stimulatory activity (therefore useful for anxiety).