Valerian Root for Anxiety: Reviews + Research 🧠 [2025]

Anxiety is incredibly common—affecting over 40 million adults in the U.S. alone and hundreds of millions more around the world. If you’re all too familiar with symptoms like racing thoughts, uneasiness, fear, or that sinking sense of dread, you’re definitely not alone in your search for relief.

But just like movie critics and audiences don’t always agree on the latest blockbuster, scientists and patients don’t always see eye to eye on the best way to treat anxiety—especially with a condition as complex and personal as this one. At the end of the day, the right treatment plan should always be tailored to you and guided by a healthcare provider. That said, there are some nonclinical, natural options for anxiety that have shown promising results—either on their own or alongside other therapies.

One of those options? Valerian root.

Today, we’re digging into the research behind valerian root for anxiety (don’t worry, we’ll translate the science into plain English). We’ll also look at real-world reviews from people who’ve tried it—so you can decide for yourself whether this herb is worth a shot.

PS – We pulled research that is published and peer-reviewed, but obviously the reviews we have from people who have tried valerian root as a home remedy for anxiety were not written by professionals, they just reflect the experiences of those individuals. Before taking any supplement always make sure to check with your doctor to evaluate if it is a safe and potentially effective option for your unique case. 

📋 Reviewing the Research: Valerian Root + Anxiety

Valerian root has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for stress and sleep, but modern research is starting to confirm that it might actually help with anxiety too. While it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, a few clinical studies suggest valerian can be a helpful tool for managing symptoms—especially mild to moderate anxiety or stress-related nervousness.

🧪 Study #1: Valerian vs. Diazepam (Yes, that Valium)

A randomized, double-blind study published in Phytotherapy Research compared valerian extract to diazepam (a well-known prescription anti-anxiety drug) in adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Over four weeks, participants received either 100 mg of valerian, 2.5 mg of diazepam, or a placebo.

The outcome: Valerian was shown to reduce anxiety symptoms about as well as diazepam, with fewer side effects like drowsiness and brain fog. Researchers concluded that valerian “may be a suitable alternative” for those looking for non-pharmaceutical support.

📘 Study #2: Valerian + Lemon Balm for Exam Stress

Another study published in Phytomedicine evaluated a combination of valerian root and lemon balm extract in people dealing with exam-induced anxiety—a super relatable kind of stress for anyone in (or who remembers) their student days. Participants were given 600 mg of valerian and 400 mg of lemon balm before a stressful academic test.

The result: Those taking the herbal combo reported significantly less anxiety and stress, along with improved sleep. Plus, they didn’t experience any major side effects.

📊 Study #3: Valerian in Broader Review

In a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers looked at several studies on valerian’s impact on anxiety and related symptoms. Across the board, valerian extract was found to be more effective than placebo, especially in individuals with mild anxiety or stress-related insomnia. 

The result: The review noted that consistency and proper dosage were key to seeing benefits.

TLDR; 

Valerian isn’t a pharmaceutical powerhouse, but the research is promising—especially for people dealing with mild anxiety, occasional nervousness, or stress-related sleep issues. Plus, it tends to come with fewer side effects than many prescription drugs and is non-habit forming, which is a big win if you’re looking for gentle, natural options.

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💬 Valerian Root for Anxiety Reviews from Real People

Results in a clinical setting only tell part of the story – how are actual people using valerian root to manage their anxiety, and more importantly, is it working?

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Overall, the consensus seems to be that valerian root is good for shutting down anxious thoughts to get some quality shut-eye, which can even carry over into lower levels of anxiety during the day as well. But you don’t have to take our word for it: 

From r/Supplements (“Valerian Root for Anxiety?”):

Redditors on a few different subs have chimed in with their thoughts on taking valerian root as an anxiety management tool, and their thoughts more or less look like this:

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“I’ve only been taking it for 5 days but I’ve noticed that my sleep is 100% better and if I take some after lunch I’m much calmer. I have a slight sedated effect and my heart rate actually went down.” – u/Macsurgeondotcom 

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Another user agreed:

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“I’m a big fan of it! I use a tincture during the day for anxiety...not everyday, but occasionally. It always works for me.” – u/Lr20005

From r/Anxiety (“Check Out Valerian Root. I have severe anxiety and it immediately helped me.”):

The anxiety subreddit has also shared thoughts on the effectiveness of valerian root, with one user reporting that taking valerian root with their prescribed medication helped them extend the antianxiety effects of their medication.

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“I have been taking a valerian root (250 mg) after breakfast and it has prolonged the effects of my ativan and lessened my anxiety.” – u/justinofdoom

From r/herbalism (“What is your experience with Valerian Root?”):

One participant shared the dose that helped them find anxiety relief.

“It’s very safe and very effective. Anxiety is 1,000 mg and sleep is 1,500 mg. Give it a try, it works!” – u/Electrical_Spare_364

From r/Anxiety (“Valerian root for anxiety/PTSD?”):

Other uses brought up valerian root as a potential treatment for other anxiety-related conditions, like PTSD and nervous system dysregulation due to autism.

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“Sometimes I get bursts of emotion during the day that are hard to get out of, and valerian works really well for me. I take half the recommended…” – u/Euphoric_Taro_5956

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And while the feedback was generally positive, some users reported side effects of taking valerian root that might give you pause. According to some users, taking valerian root can lead to rebound anxiety when the supplement wears off.

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“Valerian has a backlash effect for me too, the next day my anxiety is worse than normal… I don’t take it anymore.” – (source)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQZJyHzMfNV/?img_index=2

📝 Reviewing Popular Valerian Root Supplements

Dr. Emil Nutrition carries a few supplements in different formulations that contain valerian root as an active ingredient: Bedtime Burn + EZ Doze. 

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🔥 Bedtime Burn + the extra strength formula Bedtime Burn Elite contain a unique blend of ingredients that support better sleep (including 55mg of valerian root) and nighttime fat-burning (like green tea extract)

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💤 EZ Doze + the extra strength formula EZ Doze Plus combine valerian root with GABA, 5-HTP, and time-released B-12 designed to help you fall asleep faster + wake up refreshed

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As of this writing, all four of these formulas boast customer ratings of 4.5+ stars out of 5 on the Dr. Emil website. But what do the reviews have to say about anxiety and getting a better night’s rest?

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“My insomnia is gone and I can sleep faster.” – Sheldon Burgess (Bedtime Burn Elite)

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“There’s nothing I would like to improve! I’m new to the company and their products. I’m using EZ Dose Plus. Love it! It just works, no side effects. Wake up ready the next morning for my normal routine.” – Evis Costano (EZ Doze Plus)

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“I’ve been using Bedtime Burn for over a year. I wasn’t sure how much it was doing, until I ran out. Missing it for about a week REALLY changed my sleep.” – Geralyn St Joseph (Bedtime Burn)

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Since these supplements aren’t strictly valerian root only or marketed specifically for people suffering from anxiety, we’ll read between the lines here a little bit. In general, verified customers report that Dr. Nutrition supplements with valerian root in them help them fall asleep, which means they’re no longer tossing and turning, and in some cases, no longer experiencing insomnia and all of the anxious thoughts that can come with it. 

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Not to mention, research shows that getting a good night’s sleep is a great way to manage anxiety. It lowers cortisol levels in the body, reducing the stress response and leading to improved emotional regulation, lower feelings of stress, and possibly fewer panic attacks as well.

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According to reviewers and researchers, valerian root can be a helpful tool in managing anxiety for some people.

Valerian root is not the proven, end-all be-all anxiety treatment – but the results are promising enough we think it’s worth a try.

Anxiety is different for everybody, which means that everybody who suffers from anxiety will respond to a different combination of management strategies, too. If your anxiety is keeping you up at night or leaving you feeling drained and on edge during the day, talk to your doctor about adding a valerian root supplement to your wellness routine.

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For some, the risk of rebound anxiety may not be worth it. But plenty of others have found success managing anxiety by taking a valerian root supplement, either on its own or in combination with other treatments. 

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Is giving valerian root a try the right option for you? Only you can decide!

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