I decided to take a trip to the local healthfood store, to see if it would save money. In the end, ordering online actually came out a little cheaper in some regards, but I got some great products.

Particularly, I want to talk about Gaia Herbs Valerian Root Capsules. The guy at the store said that he really likes them, and the caps contain the herb, as well as an extract done the way they do it in Europe. I recognized them as the ones described by my girlfriend. They come in a glass bottle. You can see the oil in the caps! They do cost around $25 for 60 caps or 30 doses, so you will pay more, but as they say in Pulp Fiction: You’ll know where that money went!

Two caps contain 1800mg of valerenic acid, which seemed like twice as much to me, but for some reason it feels like my other caps which have 900 mg. As soon as I held them in my mouth, I could sense their potency. The extract gives a very full feeling. It feels the most drug-like and recreational of the Valerian preparations I have tried. You will get your money’s worth. I really enjoy it! It has a nice dreamy feel, more like drinking a tea made from the root, but it has its own distinctive qualities as well. It rolls over you and you smile in bliss, then lie down as a herbal hammock cushions you. Then your friend on the phone starts talking, and things happen. Music plays while you dream while awake, and a feeling coalesces into a movement which coalesces into a voice. More people deserve to know about this legal and safe herb.

My girlfriend needed an alternative to anxiolitic medications such as Ativan. I suggested she try Valerian. She has taken quite a liking to it.

As a responsible boyfriend and shaman, I’ve started enjoying it as well, though less frequently than she. I don’t need it always in me, just when dealing with stress, when it gets me the most loaded. Some call it “Natural Valium” and I can see why, as it feels very similar in many ways. I’d say that Valerian lets one function more than Valium however, in other words you can remain more yourself instead of just getting out of it and acting dumb. It can induce sleep, but not necessarily. The first night I took it, I felt so good that it made me feel wired. I felt like doing all these cool things, but not like actually doing them. I could not move! That seems to lessen after a few uses however as the body acclimates. Valerian potentiates GABA which does not seem surprising. It will also give a false positive for benzodiazepam on most drug tests. Amazing!

As with all herbs, you have to get the good stuff. People will try something from Wal-mart, and assume that it doesn’t work and that herbs suck. I guarantee, that if you get some good Valerian, that you will feel it! Just remember to go to the bathroom.