A good night’s rest is when your body and mind recharge, so it’s not something you can afford to overlook. Whether you’re grinding through work, gearing up for a workout, or just trying to feel like yourself again, quality rest changes everything.
Fortunately, you have no shortage of options to help support a better night’s sleep, including valerian root vs chamomile. We see these two plant-based remedies compared all the time, and we’re here to break down all the differences between valerian root and chamomile for you.
Valerian root helps calm an overactive nervous system to keep nighttime stress at bay, putting you in the right state to fall asleep. Chamomile works pretty similarly, gently easing anxiety and mental tension through its apigenin content.
So is one necessarily better than the other, or can you mix valerian root and chamomile for the best of both worlds? These two ingredients are part of a more comprehensive formulation here at Tabs, as we believe in addressing sleep challenges from all angles.
Our Sleep Tabs combine chamomile and valerian root with L-theanine, melatonin, California poppy, and saffron. Simply let one tab dissolve on your tongue and these ingredients work their magic to ease your body and mind into a deep, restful state so you can drift away to dreamland!
Don’t let sleepless nights dictate your days anymore. Shop Tabs today or learn more below!
What Does Valerian Root Do?
This herb has a ton of research supporting its role in sleep. How does it work, though? Bear with us as we get a bit scientific. Valerian root boosts the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content. This natural neurotransmitter helps calm overactive neurons, turning your nervous system down a few notches.
So if you feel that you can’t sleep at night because you’re lying there, “tired but wired,” valerian root might be just what you need. It’s not going to knock you out like a sedative, but it can help dial down the mental noise that keeps you from drifting off.
What makes valerian unique is that it doesn’t just help you fall asleep. It supports sleep quality, which you could argue matters more than how many hours of sleep you clock. People who use valerian often report deeper, more restful sleep with fewer middle-of-the-night wakeups.
Outside of sleep, valerian root has also been explored for things like muscle tension, menstrual discomfort, and even nervous restlessness. But its strongest, most reliable use case is helping your body calm down both mentally and physically, easing the transition to sleep naturally.
Just know that valerian builds up over time. You may not feel much the first few nights, but the benefits begin compounding with consistent use. The herb trains your nervous system to chill out when it’s time to rest.
What Does Chamomile Do?
You’ve probably heard about drinking chamomile tea before bed, and there’s a reason for that. This is basically the herbal equivalent of a warm hug. It’s soothing, subtle, and soft on your system, serving as a gentle anti-inflammatory and mild nervine.
What does that mean, though? Chamomile’s main active compound is apigenin, which binds to certain receptors in your brain that can promote relaxation and even reduce feelings of mild anxiety.
So similar to valerian root, chamomile won’t force you under. Instead, it helps ease you into a more relaxed state before bed. It works best for those who feel wound up or on edge and can’t seem to turn their brain off at night.
Chamomile brings plenty of other benefits to your self-care routine as well. For instance, some people use it for digestive support, especially when bloating or gut discomfort makes it hard to rest. It may even provide general mood support, ease menstrual symptoms, and fend off aches.
We also love chamomile for its low risk of side effects or dependency. You won’t wake up groggy the next day. You don’t have to cycle it. It’s mild enough for daily use but strong enough to nudge your body toward calm, especially when paired with other sleep-friendly ingredients.
That’s ultimately the key takeaway from this valerian root vs chamomile comparison. On its own, chamomile may not move the needle much (spoiler alert, neither will valerian root). But bring them together in the right synergistic formulation, and the effects are incredible!
Valerian Root vs Chamomile: Key Differences to Consider
There are quite a few similarities between valerian root and chamomile, most notably in that each eases a restless body and mind to create the optimal foundation for a good night’s sleep.
But, there are also plenty of differences between chamomile vs valerian root that you should be aware of if you’re considering adding one (or both?) to your wind-down ritual. Here’s what you need to know about valerian root vs chamomile.
How They Work in the Body
Let’s start with the biggest difference between valerian root and chamomile, the way they interact with your body’s systems to support sleep. While they more or less accomplish the same goal, they take different paths to make it happen.
Valerian root interacts directly with your brain’s GABA system. More specifically, it slows down excessive neuronal activity by increasing GABA availability.
That means it helps reduce internal “noise” at the chemical level. It’s worth trying if your sleep challenges can be traced back to nervous system overdrive. You want to rest, but your brain hasn’t gotten the message.
On the other hand, chamomile works more subtly. That key compound we mentioned earlier, apigenin, binds to specific receptors in the brain that encourage a sense of calm.
But it’s not changing your neurochemical environment quite like valerian does. Rather, it helps promote a general feeling of ease when restlessness is bubbling under the surface.
Strength and Speed of Effects
Neither valerian root nor chamomile is going to knock you out cold the way melatonin might. Each takes time to build up in the body.
That said, valerian root does tend to work faster and more noticeably. You actually feel it, especially if your body responds well to GABAergic compounds. The telltale signs it's working its magic are physical heaviness, muscle relaxation, or a quieting of racing thoughts.
In contrast, chamomile’s effects are gentle and build gradually - takes more than just a few days. Some people find the shift to be so mild it's barely perceptible unless paired with other sleep aids.
That doesn’t mean chamomile doesn’t have its place or isn’t worth including in your bedtime routine, though. It just means it shines as part of a stack. We’ll talk more about this after finishing our comparison of valerian root vs chamomile.
Taste, Form, and Experience
Most of the time people compare chamomile vs valerian root tea specifically. This has long been the traditional way to tap into all the benefits each has to offer.
Taste is irrelevant when it comes to Tabs, though, as we’ve taken a radically different approach to delivering the benefits of valerian root and chamomile, but we’ll still touch on the overall experience.
The fact of the matter is, valerian root doesn’t win any awards for flavor. It has a naturally earthy, musky smell and a bitter edge that turns some people off in tea or tincture form. This is part of the appeal of Tabs - you never taste the valerian root.
Meanwhile, chamomile tea is something you can actually look forward to. It’s one of the most popular herbal teas in the world, not just for its benefits but for its sweet, floral, and mild flavor, with notes of apple or honey. It just tastes cozy.
Safety and Tolerance for Long-Term Use
Both valerian root and chamomile are generally considered “safe” when taken in moderate, daily-use doses. That said, there are some differences between valerian root vs chamomile worth knowing.
Valerian may cause grogginess or vivid dreams for some people at higher doses or when stacked with other strong relaxants. It’s not addictive, but it can cause mild withdrawal effects if used heavily and then stopped suddenly. We keep our dose gentle to avoid this effect at Tabs.
Chamomile is definitely the safer of the two as far as side effects go. People usually experience no issues even when taking it for years. The only caution we want to point out is for folks with ragweed allergies, since chamomile comes from the same plant family.
Other than that, though, you can safely use valerian root and chamomile without stressing about dependency or side effects. But is one better than the other, or can you mix valerian root and chamomile for synergistic effects?
Should You Combine Valerian Root and Chamomile for Stronger Effects?
You definitely can, and should in most cases. Remember, neither side of our chamomile vs valerian root comparison is necessarily going to move the needle on their one. These two herbs complement each other beautifully.
Valerian root works deeper in your nervous system to dial down overstimulation, while chamomile gently relaxes the edges of your stress response. So, you get a broader, more balanced calming effect than you’d get with either one on its own.
That said, you’re going to want a bit more firepower than just valerian root and chamomile if you’re serious about fixing your sleep. There are a few other compounds we suggest pairing with this dynamic duo.
Take L-theanine, for instance. Wait, how does L-theanine make you sleepy? It works somewhat similarly to chamomile and valerian root to ease mental chatter and sets a calm tone even before bed.
Meanwhile, a microdose of melatonin (we’re talking 0.3mg, not the stuff that leaves you groggy) can help nudge your circadian rhythm into place. Herbs like California poppy and kanna create a relaxed, grounded vibe. Similarly, saffron has been shown to support emotional balance and help you unwind without any harsh comedown.
You can learn more about valerian root vs melatonin, L-theanine vs melatonin, CBD vs melatonin for sleep, and other complementary pairings to put insomnia in the past. Otherwise, the best sleep support you’ll ever find is a few clicks away at Tabs.
The Best Night’s Sleep is Only a Few Clicks Away at Tabs
Tabs is here to help you elevate your wind-down routine without making it complicated. Our Sleep Tabs are made to melt on your tongue and ease your mind into rest, with a fast-acting blend that works in just 5-10 minutes.
The banana caramel cream flavor is smooth, nostalgic, and sweet enough to look forward to every night. But it’s the ingredients and their benefits that really earn our Sleep Tabs a place in your regimen:
- L-Theanine: Promotes mental calm without sedation
- Valerian Root: Improves sleep quality over time
- California Poppy: Settles your nervous system
- Kanna: Reduces tension and emotional stress
- Saffron: Supports mood and relaxation
- Melatonin (0.3mg): Just enough to nudge you to sleep, not leave you foggy
Take 1-2 tabs based on how sensitive you are or how much support you need. Let it dissolve on your tongue and feel the shift within minutes. Don’t exceed 5 tabs in 24 hours. It’s really that simple.
From our Sleep Tabs to our Mood Tabs, Stress Tabs, and everything in between, our products are vegan, sugar-free, made in the USA, and backed by hassle-free 30-day returns.
You don’t need more late nights tossing and turning. You need the right blend of calm, comfort, and science-backed ingredients delivered in a form that actually fits your life. Look no further than Tabs!
Closing Thoughts on Chamomile vs Valerian Root
We hope this valerian root vs chamomile comparison has left you with complete clarity on the role each plays. The key takeaway is there’s no point in taking sides here. Both have their own strengths and offer a more well-rounded path to rest when combined.
Chamomile is light, comforting, and supportive. Valerian is deeper, stronger, and more targeted. But real sleep support comes from hitting every angle - mind, body, and mood. That’s the approach we take here at Tabs, and why our solution belongs in your bedtime ritual.
Your best sleep isn’t one ingredient away - it’s one Tab. Feel the effects firsthand!