Overview: Valerian is a plant called Valeriana officinalis. The root and root-like parts of valerian are used to make teas and dietary supplements, such as tablets or capsules. People take. This fact sheet provides basic information about valerian—common names, usefulness and safety, and resources for more information. The chief constituent of valerian is a yellowish-green to brownish-yellow oil present in the dried root, varying in content from 0.5 to 2.0%. This variation in quantity may be determined by location; a dry, stony soil yields a root richer in oil than moist, fertile soil. What valerian root is, what the trials show for sleep, stress, period pain and hot flashes, how to take it as a tea, tincture or capsule, how much to take and who should be careful. Valerian's small white flowers are the showy part of the plant; the medicine comes from its root. What is valerian? Valerian is a flowering plant, the root of which is dried and used as an herbal remedy. Valerian has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating sleep problems (insomnia). Valerian root supplements have been found to help people fall asleep faster, improve their sleep quality, and spend more time in a deep sleep stage. However, some studies found that valerian root had no effect or a statistically insignificant effect. Valerian root is an herbal supplement made from the roots of the valerian plant, which is native to Europe and parts of Asia. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its calming effects.