Does it take effect in a day? This natural 'melatonin' can improve acute sleep deprivation

1. Valerian: Improving acute sleep deprivation

The sedative, anxiety relieving, and sleep improving effects of Valerian root extract have been proven. The study randomly assigned 80 participants in a 1:1 ratio to take a capsule containing VE (200mg) or placebo (microcrystalline cellulose) one hour before bedtime each day.

The wrist activity recorder was used to evaluate the sleep latency, actual sleep time, and sleep efficiency of the subjects. After taking VE for one day, the average sleep latency of the subjects decreased by 27.5%, actual sleep time increased by 6.8%, and sleep efficiency increased by 2.9%.

Research has shown that there is a significant improvement in actual sleep time after a single administration, indicating that valerian has acute benefits for sleep, and VE has the potential to become a substitute for melatonin.

2. Ancient Chinese herbs for calming and calming the mind

Valerian is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Valeriana in the family Fabaceae. Its rhizomes are short and hollow, with multiple slender fibrous roots. The inflorescence grows at the top, and the flowers are light purple red or white, with a strong aroma. According to the "Chinese Materia Medica", Valerian is mostly distributed in mild and humid places, returning to the heart and liver meridians. It has the effects of calming the mind, dispelling wind and dampness, promoting qi and blood circulation, and relieving pain. It can be used to improve insomnia, depression, anxiety, and other conditions. In Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica" during the Ming Dynasty, it was also recorded that valerian was "calming the mind and promoting qi and blood circulation", indicating that valerian had already been widely used in ancient Chinese medicine.

The active ingredients of Valerian mainly include Valerian triester, Valerian glycoside, Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), alkaloids, flavonoids, etc. These ingredients work together to make Valerian have sedative hypnotic, anti anxiety, antidepressant, memory enhancing, and pain relieving effects.

1) Valerian triester

Valerian triester is one of the most important active ingredients in Valerian, which binds to GABA-A receptors in the brain to exert sedative, stress relieving, and sleep improving effects, and has significant therapeutic effects on symptoms such as insomnia and excessive dreaming.

2) Valeric acid

Valeric acid is an extract of dried roots and rhizomes of Valerian, which has a central nervous system inhibitory effect and can increase GABA-A-receptor-mediated chloride ion influx, thereby regulating neurotransmitter balance and improving symptoms such as insomnia and multiple dreams. In addition, oxalic acid also has certain antibacterial effects.

3) Gamma aminobutyric acid

GABA is an important central nervous system inhibitory neurotransmitter widely present in vertebrates, plants, and microorganisms. Research has shown that consuming a certain amount of GABA has physiological effects such as improving sleep quality and lowering blood pressure.

4) Alkaloids

Because the alkaloids in Valerian can promote the synthesis and release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, enhance their activity, and thus have an anti anxiety effect. Can be used to alleviate various discomfort symptoms caused by mental stress, such as tension, unease, etc.

5) Flavonoids compounds

The flavonoids in Valerian include glycosides such as apigenin and acacetin, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress caused by tissue damage, thereby relieving pain.

3. Wide application of Valerian

According to SPINS data, the total sales of herbal supplements in the United States for the 52 weeks ending December 31, 2023 were approximately $12.551 billion, with differences in sales growth between mainstream and natural channels for valerian. In mainstream channels, the sales of valerian supplements reached $18.29 million, ranking 26th, a year-on-year decrease of 12.5%. However, in natural channels, the sales revenue of valerian is about 7.1 million US dollars, ranking 21st with a year-on-year increase of 5.4%. The difference in market performance may be related to the continuous fluctuations in overall sales of herbal supplements in the United States since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2019.

At present, the application scope of Valerian extract is extremely wide, not only in supplements, but also in various fields such as medicine, cosmetics, and pet industry.

1) Health field

In the health and pharmaceutical industries, valerian is a highly favored "star ingredient". In the field of medicine, Valerian extract is used to treat mental or psychological disorders such as insomnia, anxiety, and depression due to its significant sedative, sedative, and antidepressant effects. In the health product industry, extract of Valerian is often used as a dietary supplement to improve sleep, relieve stress, and enhance immunity, but it has not yet been approved for use in food in China.

2) Spice industry

In the spice industry, valerian is highly regarded for its unique and charming aroma. Its scent blends a faint earthy scent with a rich floral aroma, providing users with a peaceful and comfortable experience. Based on this characteristic, Gya Labs launched valerian essential oil, which is suitable for the production of perfume, fragrance and scented candles.

3) Cosmetics field

The antioxidant and anti-aging properties of Valerian extract make it an important component of skincare formulas, helping to delay skin aging and improve skin quality. In addition, the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of Valerian extract are suitable for care products targeting sensitive skin, effectively soothing skin discomfort and promoting skin health.

4) Pet Market

Dried fresh valerian has a strong and unique aroma, which can serve as a substitute for catnip. At the same time, it can also be combined with natural ingredients such as chamomile and processed into chewable tablets or drops to alleviate pets' anxiety and improve their sleep conditions.