Yes, valerian herb is greatly helpful for sound sleep/relaxation. So are hops and passionflower, which can be helpful also, and are sometimes found in combination preparations with valerian.

Another needed item is melatonin, which is naturally produced by our body at night, and sometimes a 3 mg. pill in the evening is very helpful for inducing a natural sleep cycle. It needs to be noted that for long term insomnia or in acute stress situations, that minerals are needed more than normally, particularly magnesium and calcium. The addidion of these two important ones can make a particular difference in relaxation of our muscular tensness and some way helps us to fall asleep more quickly. Since most of us on a typical nutrient deficient American diet are somewhat lacking in mineral intake, it might be quickly helpful to start the minerals and add in the melatonin too. Try it a few days, and add in the valerian if needed also.

There are many natural sleep aids, both herbal and homeopathic, and these may be useful without causing addiction. The magnesium mineral is known to be one of the most commonly deficient minerals in the American diet and population. It is 'antagonistic' with calcium via cellular absorption and nearly all mineral supplements contain far too much calcium in proportion to the contained magnesium. Some physicians believe the magnesium levels should equal the amount of calcium, but nearly every common supplement available will have twice as much calcium as compared to magnesium.

Both these minerals are better absorbed when taken with an acid food/juice and quite probably when taken at separate times,i.e. take magnesium in the morning and calcium in the evening. That way the body can better assimilate all it needs.

If one begins this mineral supplementation and sees no effect at all, it is possible that the body has too many sulfites, a natural and necessary ingredient for cellular activity. If sulfites are excessive, the body does not utilize the magnesium efficiently. This would not be known without laboratory blood tests performed on the mineral status. There is an inexpensive urine test for sulfites available and you might obtain information on this at www.starrwalker.com. Some persons have a higher genetic propensity to produce sulfites, and others may have an excessive level due to dietery intake.

So, if you just can't get to sleep and sleep soundly, one of the reasons may be this situation. When you are tired, really tired, too tired, and still can't obtain restful sleep, this area might be a good one to explore. You need those z z z z zzs!