Valerian root is recommended by doctors and nutritionists for anxiety relief. It promotes the production of GABA neurotransmitters in the brain, causing muscle relaxation and stress relief. Valerian capsules containing 450 mg of ground valerian root are the most common form of treatment.
Western herbalists have understood valerian’s ability to relieve anxiety for decades. Now a growing number of doctors and nutritionists are recommending valerian for anxiety to their patients. Valerian root, or Valeriana officinallis, is typically dried and ground so that it can be consumed as a capsule or tea to teach the effects of stress and anxiety. Here is a detailed look at the mechanism that allows valerian root to treat anxiety, as well as some of the more common valerian products.
To properly use valerian for anxiety, an individual can begin by understanding that the effects of valerian and anxiety are rooted in the relationship between anxiety and the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). The GABA neurotransmitter is responsible for limiting the excitability of the central nervous system in mammals. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or anxiety attacks often do not have enough GABA in their nervous systems. People experiencing the effects of GABA deficiency should rely on herbs like valerian root or eat certain foods to promote the production of GABA neurotransmitters in the brain and reduce anxiety.
Valerian root promotes GABA production by helping to release the inhibitory neurotransmitter at nerve cell endings and then blocks nerve cell removal from the nervous system. As a result, GABA accumulates in the central nervous system, causing muscle relaxation, stress relief, and decreased anxiety. The GABA production and retention caused by valerian is also the reason why the supplement acts as an effective treatment for mild to moderate insomnia.
There is a wide range of valerian products available to the public. An individual must choose depending on the severity of their anxiety symptoms. The key to using valerian and anxiety relief products effectively is using the proper valerian dosage to treat symptoms without using so much that a patient experiences unnecessary valerian side effects. Valerian is most often taken to treat anxiety in the form of valerian capsules containing 450 mg of ground valerian root. A user can take up to three capsules depending on the severity of her anxiety. In cases where symptoms are more severe, users often take valerian oil, valerian liquid, or valerian tea to experience valerian relief and anxiety more quickly.
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