Do any of you have any experience with taking Valerian for insomnia?

Short Version of Details: Have you taken Valerian, did it help you to sleep? Were there any side effects?

Long Version of Details: I’ve suffered with insomnia for about 5 years. It seems to have started with the onset of peri-menopause, which I’m still going through. The only other symptom I have from that is occasional hot flashes, which were regular for the first 4 years, and only mildly annoying, but they have subsided substantially.

I would prefer not to take any medications (over the counter or prescription) and would like to know if any of you have ever tried Valerian. If so, did it help you to fall asleep? Were you able to stay asleep and get a good night’s rest?

If you’ve taken Valerian, did you have any side effects? From what I’ve read, Valerian doesn’t have any known side effects. Source from Mayo Clinic

I recently tried taking an over the counter sleep aid containing diphenhydramine (which is supposed to be a sedating antihistamine). I don’t want or need the antihistamine and don’t plan to take any more of it. Mostly, because it hasn’t helped at all. I tried it for 7 days right before my “regular” bedtime. It said on the label not to take it for more than two weeks. So far in the 7 days that I have taken it, it has not caused any drowsiness, nor has it helped to keep me asleep.

I took one of our Jelly’s advice and cut way back on the caffeine. That has helped a bit, but not completely, and not enough for a true good night’s sleep.

Reading a book before I go to sleep helps a little bit, but again, not enough.

I exercise regularly and eat very healthily. That doesn’t seem to make any particular difference. I’ve been exercising regularly for over a year, and have lost 30 lbs., mostly due to eating considerably less than I used to. I have a very healthy diet, including drinking lots of water. Eating healthy food and exercising regularly doesn’t seem to make the insomnia any better, nor any worse. I just wondered if any of you have had any luck with Valerian.