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Valerian Sleep Tincture

A sedative herbal tincture for insomnia and anxiety. Valerian combined with passionflower creates a powerful natural sleep aid.

tincturesSleep & RelaxationBeginner⏱ 15 mins (+ 6 weeks maceration)Shelf life: 3 years

Benefits

Promotes sleepReduces anxietyMuscle relaxantNon-habit-forming

Ingredients

  • Dried valerian root — 30g
  • Dried passionflower — 20g
  • Dried hops flowers — 10g
  • Vegetable glycerine (for alcohol-free version) — optional
  • 80-proof vodka — 300ml

Instructions

  1. Combine all dried herbs in a glass jar.
  2. Cover with vodka — herbs should be fully submerged.
  3. For alcohol-free version, replace 50% of vodka with vegetable glycerine.
  4. Seal and store in a cool dark place for 4–6 weeks.
  5. Shake the jar every day.
  6. Strain, press herbs, and bottle in dark glass.

Notes

Take 30–40 drops in warm water 30 minutes before bed. Do not drive or operate machinery after use. Avoid combining with alcohol or pharmaceutical sedatives.

Interactions & contraindications

Dried valerian root

Full profile
  • CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Pregnancy

Use Caution

Some midwives use valerian short-term for pregnancy-related anxiety/sleep, but formal safety studies are limited — generally used cautiously and not as a long-term or high-dose remedy.

Breastfeeding

Use Caution

Limited formal safety data; sedative herbs can cause infant drowsiness via milk, so cautious, short-term use is typical.

Children

Use Caution

Sometimes used short-term for children's sleep under guidance, but dosing for children isn't well established — start low and use short-term only.

Sedatives, benzodiazepines, alcohol

Additive drowsiness and CNS depression.

Anesthesia (pre-surgery)

May prolong sedation — inform your surgical team and typically discontinue 1–2 weeks prior.

Dried passionflower

Full profile
  • CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Pregnancy

Avoid

Passionflower has a traditional reputation for stimulating uterine contractions and is generally advised against during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Use Caution

Limited formal safety data; sedative herbs can cause infant drowsiness via milk — used cautiously if at all.

Children

Use Caution

Sometimes used short-term for children's anxiety/sleep in mild tea form under guidance; not well studied for regular pediatric use.

Sedatives, MAOIs

Additive sedative effect; theoretical MAOI interaction.

Dried hops flowers

Full profile
  • Hormone-sensitive conditions (breast/ovarian cancer, endometriosis) — phytoestrogenic activity possible
  • CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Pregnancy

Use Caution

Hops has estrogenic (phytoestrogen) activity and a sedative effect — generally used cautiously and only short-term in pregnancy, not as a routine remedy.

Breastfeeding

Use Caution

Sedative effect can cause infant drowsiness via milk; also traditionally associated with mild effects on mood — used cautiously.

Children

Avoid

Sedative and hormone-modulating effects mean hops is not typically used in children.

Sedatives, alcohol

Additive CNS depression.

Vegetable glycerine (for alcohol-free version)

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Vegetable glycerine (for alcohol-free version) in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Vegetable glycerine (for alcohol-free version) itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Insufficient Data

No specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.

Breastfeeding

Insufficient Data

No specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.

Children

Insufficient Data

No specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.

No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Vegetable glycerine (for alcohol-free version) in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.

80-proof vodka

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for 80-proof vodka in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on 80-proof vodka itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Insufficient Data

No specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.

Breastfeeding

Insufficient Data

No specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.

Children

Insufficient Data

No specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.

No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for 80-proof vodka in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.