Top 5 Valerian Root Extract Supplements – Full Analysis, Reviews & Buying Guide (2023)

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia and naturalized in North America. Extract from valerian root is a popular herbal sleep aid [*]. 

The medicinal use of valerian dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates has written about the therapeutic use of valerian. The 2nd century physician known as Galen also prescribed valerian for insomnia [*].

Historically, valerian was utilized to treat nervousness, trembling, headaches, heart palpitations, stress, migraine, fatigue, stomach cramps, and insomnia [**]. 

Various research suggest that valerian contains bioactive compounds that may help prevent sleep disorders, and stress related neuropsychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression. [****]. 

The two main compounds associated with valerian’s sedative and anxiolytic effects are valerenic acid and valepotriates and their derivatives [**]. 

There are over 150 other compounds identified from valerian [*], but additional research is needed to determine how these compounds affect the human body. 

Products containing valerian root extract claim to help with insomnia, anxiety, depression, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause symptoms, and headaches [*]. 

The popularity of valerian has led to hundreds of brands flooding the marketplace; however not all supplements are created equal! Unfortunately, more than 90% of valerian supplements in the market simply DON’T WORK!

We understand the challenges in finding the right supplement for your health needs. That’s why we gathered years of research and made this guide to help you find the top-rated valerian formulas that work for you.

Things To Be Cautious About

Has your brand been third-party tested? You should never buy supplements that don’t have Certificate of Analysis. The studies should be conducted in labs that are not affiliated with the manufacturer. These labs verify the product for safety and potency.

Does your valerian root extract contain cheap synthetic fillers? Some brands add artificial fillers to cut cost to offer cheap products. Some of these cheap fillers we found were titanium dioxide and artificial coloring. You should never purchase cheap products when it comes to supplements.

No return policy or customer service – A reputable supplement company will offer 100% money-back guarantee policy and provide customer support through phone number and email. We noticed many formulas out there are just copies of the top-rated brands. They don’t offer an easy refund policy or don’t even have a phone number to prove they are real.

Top 5 Valerian Root Supplements

The result: we reviewed over 100+ brands of Valerian Root Supplements in the market and complied a list of top 5 formulas based on effectiveness, safety, pricing, return policy, and overall customer satisfaction.

1. PureNature Ultra Calm

*Individual Results May Vary – Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product websites for more information.

2. Bluebonnet Valerian

*Individual Results May Vary – Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product websites for more information.

3. Nature’s Truth Valerian

*Individual Results May Vary – Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product websites for more information.

4. Nature’s Way Valerian Nighttime

*Individual Results May Vary – Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product websites for more information.

5. Swanson Valerian Root

*Individual Results May Vary – Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product websites for more information.

Ranking Factors

Shipping & Return Policy: we check the shipping and return policy of each recommended product to make sure these brands stand behind their products.

Customer Service: we contact the top rated brands through email, chat or phone to make sure they are responsive and can answer potential questions customers might have.

Essential Ingredients: we verify the ingredients in every top rated brands, their safety and dosage amount in comparison with the latest scientific studies.

Overall Effectiveness: we check with real customers through their reviews and testimonials to make sure the top brands are as effective as they claim to be. We recommend the top 5 formulas based on their average score.

We highly recommend our reader to do their own research, read real reviews and contact any brands directly to make sure they can provide the products and services based on their needs.

*This is a subjective assessment based on the strength of the available information and our independent research and customer feedback. Results may vary based on individual.

Disclosure of Material Connection: we only recommend products and services which we believe will add value to the users. However, you should assume the owner of this website and/or blog has an affiliate relationship and/or another material connection, to any suppliers of goods and services that may be discussed here and may be compensated for showing ads or recommending products or services or linking to the supplier’s website.

Sources and Citations

1. Valerian Fact Sheet https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Valerian-HealthProfessional/
2. Valerian https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/valerian
3. Valerian for Sleep… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4394901/
4. Valerian Root in… https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33086877/
5. The Effects of Valerian on Sleep Quality… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8077445/