valerian stinks!

[davemchine]

I decided to try valerian and from the first moment I opened the bottle I knew it stunk to high heaven. Phew!

Dave

[ztirffritz]

Insomnia? My wife and I just use melatonin. It is really cheap at the Grocery Outlet.

[ka jowct]

Valerian seems to be very appealing to at least some cats: like catnip. A friend once gave me some valerian tea, wrapped in foil. I took it home in a plastic bag, which I absent-mindedly hung from a door knob and forgot about.. By the time I remembered to it, the cats had ripped it open and were getting very excited.

[TheCaber]

good thing you didn't actually ingest it, kj; imagine what the kitties would have done to you!

[BigGuynRusty]

Cats & Rats!

By Melissa Chiasson, MD and Julie Dickson, MD
Valerian root has been used for centuries in Europe and Asia as a sedative/hypnotic agent. It is claimed that Valerian root decreases the time it takes for a person to fall asleep and that it also improves sleep quality. However, there are many other purported uses for this plant. Unfortunately, most of these do not have any scientifically proven merit.

Valerian root has a distinctive unpleasant odor which is only present in the dried form. The fresh root has no odor. In the drying process, components in the root hydrolyze to form isovaleric acid. It is this compound that causes the offensive odor. This odor is said to be attractive to rats. According to legend, the Pied Piper used Valerian root to lure rats from the village of Hamlin.

BGnR

[Robo]

Melatonin works for me too but wow does it give me crazy dreams and makes me feel yucky the next day. Valerian never worked for me. 2 Vicodin and a bottle of wine works well.

[ka jowct]

good thing you didn't actually ingest it, kj; imagine what the kitties would have done to you!

I had to wash my hands very thoroughly after handling it and disposing of it. It was like Kitty Krack to some of them.