If you are one of the many people who feel anxious around bedtime, consider playing soft music thirty minutes before you retire. Valerian root may be the answer to your dreams. Studies have shown that valerian root extract, made from the dried roots of the herb Valeriana officinalis , can help ease mild, short-term insomnia. Though no one knows the exact mechanism responsible for valerian's sedating effect, it seems to act as a depressant of the central nervous system. Valerian seems to be more effective for inducing, rather than sustaining sleep but is considered a safe, nonaddictive alternative to pharmaceutical sleep aids.
Valerian root contains numerous substances that act on various structures of the nervous system.
The recommended adult dosage is 150 to 300 milligrams of extract 30 to 45 minutes before going to bed. Catnip is a nervine, which will actually strenghten the central nervous system rather than just knock you out like Valerian. A tablespoon of dried catnip steeped in a cup of boiling water for about an hour will do the trick, gently.