Valerian is used for insomnia and other disorders and can be a useful alternative to ben zodiazepine drugs.

In the United States Valerian is sold as a nutritional supplement. Therapeutic use has increased as dietary supplements have gained in popularity, especially after the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act was passed in 1994. This law allowed the distribution of many agents as over-the-counter supplements, and therefore allowed them to bypass the regulatory requirements of the FDA
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Valerian is used against sleeping disorders, restlessness and anxiety, and as a muscle relaxant. 

Valerian is sometimes recommended as a first-line treatment when benefit-risk analysis dictates.

Valerian is often indicated as transition medication when discontinuing benzodiazepines.