Valerian Root Sleep Tea
A more potent sleep herb for nights when nothing else seems to work.
Valerian root is one of the most clinically studied herbal sleep aids, with multiple studies showing improvements in sleep quality, time to fall asleep, and nighttime waking. It works through a mechanism similar to benzodiazepine medications — increasing GABA levels in the brain — but is far gentler and non-addictive.
I reach for valerian root on the nights when I'm particularly wound up, traveling across time zones, or dealing with unusual stress. It's more potent than chamomile and has a noticeably stronger sedative effect for most people.
Fair warning: valerian root has an earthy, somewhat pungent smell that takes getting used to. Mixing it with more pleasant herbs like passionflower and a good amount of honey makes it significantly more palatable.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried valerian root
- 1 teaspoon dried passionflower
- 1 teaspoon dried lemon balm
- 8 ounces boiling water
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey
How to Use
- 1Combine herbs in a tea infuser.
- 2Pour boiling water over herbs and cover immediately.
- 3Steep for fifteen minutes — longer steeping extracts more of the active compounds.
- 4Strain, add generous honey, and stir well.
- 5Drink thirty to sixty minutes before your intended bedtime.
- 6Do not drive after consuming valerian root. Not recommended during pregnancy.