I’m back. The boiling warning might just be an old wive’s tale after all, but boiling makes it even stinkier yet, according to accounts. There seems to be general agreement that it shouldn’t be used on a regular basis; it appears to interfere at some point with fast-growing cells such as those in the stomach lining and the liver. On an as-needed basis, there appears to be no problem.
Found some info that might be useful to you, Cran, in making your decision:
From Whole Health MD
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10064,00.html
General Interaction
To avoid excessive drowsiness or possibly other complications, don’t take valerian with any muscle relaxants (carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), narcotic pain relievers (codeine, hydrocodone), prescription sleep medications, tranquilizers, or other drugs that can make you sleepy (including certain antihistamines).
Note: For information on interactions with specific generic drugs, see our WholeHealthMD Drug/Nutrient Interactions Chart.
Possible Side Effects
Generally, valerian causes no side effects when taken at recommended doses. Some people do experience drowsiness or a certain lack of alertness if they take the herb during the day, however.
Extremely large doses may cause dizziness, restlessness, blurry vision, nausea, excitability, and/or grogginess upon awakening. A case of valerian overdose was reported in 1995; taking approximately 20 times the recommended therapeutic dose of valerian root (18 to 24 grams) produced mild symptoms. Luckily, these symptoms resolved within 24 hours.
Cautions
Don’t take valerian on a nightly basis for more than two consecutive weeks. Even though the herb is not addictive, it’s generally not a good idea to depend on any sleep aid long term.
After taking valerian, wait at least three hours before driving, operating heavy machinery, or undertaking any other potentially hazardous task that requires you to be alert.
Make sure to avoid alcohol while taking valerian.
Edited to add: One other thing, if you have history of depression you may want to avoid Valerian and try something like Passion Flower or Melissa (Lemon Balm). Be sure, like Nano posted, to only use it occasionally as it can be addictive.
HTH!!
“natural vs. drugs vs. whatever”.
Not everything “natural” is good for you - snake venom is natural, after all. But in certain quanities, snake venom CAN be beneficial - there’s a particular type of throat paralysis that can be treated by injections of venom into the vocal chords.
The “problem” with natural, is there really is NO way of knowing just what you are getting. This is one area where trying to go “cheap” is NOT the way to go, but even paying good money may not get you what you think you are getting. We ran a lot of tests on tablets, drinks, and other preparations that SAID they had ginko in them. Many of these had absolutely NO active ginkocides in them. Others may have had some, but not the ones that are beneficial. Others had active ginkocides, but in quantities so small that there was no way they would be of any help.
You really need to do a lot of “homework” first before you decide to take ANYTHING - be it a drug from a pharmaceitical company (prescription OR over the counter) or a homeopathic remedy. For instance, I read a lot about feverfew and echinechia (I know that’s not spelled correctly!). I have an occasional migraine, and was interested in the feverfew. After some digging, however, I found that feverfew, echinechia AND chamomile are all “cross” allergins of ragweed - if you are allergic to ragweed, you may react to them. I’m HIGHLY allergic to ragweed, so didn’t even attempt to use these (honeydew melon is a cross allergin of ragweed, too, btw.).
So, please either read up heavily on these, or find a GOOD homeopath to help you. I do the same for anything I injest, no matter what the recommendation.
Missy
Missy, who is “we?” Tough to associate unless it is made known.
I had a girlfriend called Valerie once. I always slept well afterwards!
I’m sorry, I couldn’t let the irony of this statement pass by. Homeopathic remedies are by definition so diluted that they contain ZERO molecules of the substance named on the label. Herbal medicine and homeopathic medicine are two very different things.
I tried posting this earlier, but I couldn’t get back onto the board.
I was going suggest using essential lavender oil for a good night’s sleep. I’ve used valerian, but it did tend to make me groggy. Diffusing lavender in your bedroom can be very relaxing and encourage sleep. I find I sleep deeper and longer. Best part, no side effects. For the bedroom, I think a battery powered or plug in diffuser is better than a candle diffuser, for safety reasons. If you fall asleep with an electric diffuser, you don’t have to worry about fire.
Here is a good site to visit. I’ve ordered several times with them. I like both their diffusers and their oils.
Oh, that is right. I sleep REALLY well after a massage with lavender oil!
I have a sedative effect on many, in fact that drawing in Dales sign language post is a sketch of me 
I’m a night owl by nature, and by the same token I am NOT a morning person.
However, when I find I really must get to sleep at a decent time, warmed milk with a dash of nutmeg on top seems to do it for me.
I tried catnip but found it made me go all furry.
Steven (norcal) the “we” is the food and beverage analytical lab that I work in. One of the R&D groups was researching the possibility of making juice drinks with additives like ginko, glucosamine, and other health benefit compounds.
And to the “homeopathy” definition, I was using it more in the general “health food store” definition, not a specific medical definition. I stand corrected.
Missy
That would be a naturopath, Missy.
i edited this down to nothing as it my have been inappropriate. :
best, tansy
Sorry to post late and OT, I love the avatar though. 
Surely didn’t expect three pages of replies. Thanks everybody. I’ll take them and pray they don’t kill me.
Valairian root is the herb that valium is refined from, so naturally it would have a seditive effect.
However, they do have some differences, namely that Valium is deadly if used with alcohol, while Valairian does not carry that risk. However, I would NEVER recommend mixing any seditive with alcohol, unless cleared by a doctor first.
I am surprised that Valium remains on the market after so many alcohol related deaths.
sorry…
http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/archives/Best/1995/valeriana-2.html
http://healthyherbs.about.com/cs/herbfaqs/p/pfvalerian.htm
Thank you for being the watchdog here, rh. I am surprised that people from a predominantly Euro-American background know so little about their herbal tradition. I suppose if they had herbal sessions at the pub,we would get topics about herbal session etiquette and so on and so forth.
And so it goes …