If you are in pursuit of healthy hair, you have probably come across the mention of valerian root as a natural remedy. But what exactly are the benefits of valerian root?
Whether you’re dealing with stress-related shedding, or looking for a natural way to boost hair growth, valerian root could be the solution you’ve been looking for. Read on to discover how this ancient herb can transform your hair care routine! We will discuss:
- What Valerian Root is/common uses
- How it can benefit your hair care
- The relationship between sleep, haircare, and valerian root
What is Valerian Root?
A Quick Introduction to Valerian Root + its Common Uses
Valerian Root is no new discovery. It is a natural herb derived from the Valeriana officinalis plant, which is native to Europe and Asia, and has been valued for its medicinal properties since ancient Greece and Rome. Traditionally, it was used to alleviate insomnia, migraines, fatigue, and stomach cramps.
In terms of looks, the valerian plant can grow quite tall and produces delicate pink and white flowers. While the entire plant has medicinal properties, the root is the most potent and offers the greatest benefits.
It is best known for its calming and sedative properties, making it a popular remedy for insomnia, anxiety, and stress relief. The root contains compounds that interact with the nervous system, helping to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
Today, people commonly use valerian for sleep disorders, mainly insomnia. Valerian root has been shown to help get you to sleep faster and improve the quality of such sleep. It is the safest in relatively low doses, but still effective.
Other common uses of valerian root are:
- Reducing stress: Although scientists are not completely sure how the root works yet, they believe the root increases the amount of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This chemical helps to regulate nerve cells and, in turn, has a calming effect on anxiety.
- Easing menstrual cramps: The root may help relieve menstrual cramps by reducing muscle spasms and uterine contractions
- Promoting a positive mood: Valerian root may reduce depression symptoms. There is thought that by simultaneously boosting GABA, reducing cortisol, and increasing serotonin, the root may reduce depression.
It should be noted, however, that there is not sufficient evidence to fully conclude that valerian root is helpful for all of the above. However, studies do show that there very well could be a correlation with valerian root and the above uses. More statistical analysis has to be done.
Beyond its benefits for sleep and stress, valerian root also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is commonly found in supplements, teas, tinctures, and even hair care products (more on that later)!
Valerian Root and Hair Care
Benefits to Nourishing Your Hair Naturally
So, now that we know what exactly valerian root is, how could it possibly benefit hair care? The plant actually can benefit the hair in many ways, primarily by promoting scalp health, reducing stress-related hair loss, and improving overall hair strength.
Valerian root contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which can benefit hair health. These anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds can help soothe scalp irritation, reduce redness, and promote a balanced environment for hair follicles. A healthy scalp is essential for strong, healthy hair growth. Valerian root also contains nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium, which contribute to promoting a healthy scalp as well as hair growth.
There are also findings that suggest the compounds in valerian root may influence hair growth at the cellular level. However, just as before, more research is necessary before any definitive conclusions are made.
Some of the active compounds in valerian root, like valerenic acid and antioxidants, may help strengthen hair at the root, reducing breakage and thinning. This can lead to thicker, healthier strands over time.
Valerian root is also known to reduce stress, as stated previously. This is also beneficial to hair growth as stress is a major contributor to hair shedding and thinning. Stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium. This is where a large amount of hair follicles enter the resting phase (telogen) too quickly. This results in excessive, noticeable, hair shedding.
When the body experiences stress, it releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. This may cause hair follicles to produce weaker, thinner hair. Or, worse, stop producing hair altogether.
If valerian root reduces stress, it reduces the opportunity for hair loss due to stress while also simultaneously promoting healthy, thicker hair.
Valerian Root, Sleep, and Hair
Breaking Down the Correlation Among the Three
Quality and quantity of sleep affect hair growth!
Does sleep really affect hair growth? Yes! In fact, sleep plays a very crucial role in hair growth. Sleep is essential to every body process, and hair growth is no exception.
Hair growth is not just affected by how much sleep you’re getting, but also the quality.
The quality of your sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy hair. During deep, restorative sleep, the body focuses on repair and regeneration. This includes the renewal of hair follicle cells. These sleep phases support tissue growth and the proliferation of hair matrix keratinocytes, essential for strong, healthy hair.
Additionally, key growth hormones that stimulate hair growth are released during deep sleep, helping to nourish and strengthen hair follicles. While you sleep, your body carries out crucial repair and regeneration processes, including those that support hair follicles. A disrupted sleep cycle can interfere with these functions, potentially impacting the hair growth cycle and contributing to hair loss. Poor sleep may reduce blood circulation to the scalp, which would deprive your hair follicles of the oxygen and nutrients essential for healthy hair growth.
Also, adequate rest also helps regulate stress hormones like cortisol, which we mentioned previously.
Since valerian root is commonly used as a sleep aid, it may indirectly benefit hair by improving rest and recovery, allowing the body to focus on hair regeneration.
If you aren’t getting quality sleep and are worried about how that may be affecting your hair, consider taking a nighttime supplement! Dr. Emil’s EZ Doze, for example, is a natural sleep aid that promotes both better, and faster, sleep. Or, consider Bedtime Burn, which is both a sleep aid and a fat burner all in one! Both of these supplements contain valerian root as an ingredient, which we have proven to have other benefits besides just sleep.
Valerian root can improve your quality of life including better sleep, less stress, and a happier attitude. Not only this, but the ancient herb can also improve your quality of hair. Try adding valerian root to your daily life, whether that is through a supplement, a hair oil, or otherwise!
