Dormeasan^® Valerian & Hops

Dormeasan^® Valerian-Hops oral drops is a traditional herbal medicinal product for use in the temporary relief of sleep disturbances caused by the symptoms of mild anxiety, exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy. Always read the leaflet.

Dormeasan^® is not a 'sleeping pill’. It is a herbal sleeping aid and won't normally leave you feeling groggy in the morning. Unlike many sleep remedies, Dormeasan^® is available in the form of a liquid herbal tincture. Taken just half an hour before bedtime, it can help if you worry that you can't sleep - encouraging a more natural sleep, helping you sleep better and wake feeling refreshed.

At A.Vogel, we insist that only freshly picked Valerian root and Hops plants are used to make Dormeasan^®. This ensures that the herb extracts obtained provide the active* ingredients that encourage undisturbed sleep.

The use of fresh herbs gives Dormeasan^® tincture a stronger taste and smell because it has not lost its volatile oils. Some people may prefer to take Dormeasan^® diluted in fruit juice, rather in water.

* Tobler M, et al. Characteristics of whole fresh plant extracts. Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur GanzheitsMedizin, 1994.

Dormeasan^® may be used as a sleep remedy or for mild anxiety, by adults (over 18 years of age) and the elderly.

As a sleep remedy: Take 30 drops of the herbal remedy in a little water half an hour before bedtime.

For mild anxiety: This product may also be used to relieve the symptoms of mild anxiety. Take 10 - 20 drops once or twice daily.

Don't take more than the recommended dose. This product is not known to be habit forming.

For more advice to help you sleep better, go to our Tips for a Good Night's Sleep.

Below are the 4 most common ‘sleep problems’ encountered by our helpline, and how Dormeasan^® can help.

1. I can’t get to sleep easily

I have trouble dropping off to sleep. I toss and turn until I finally doze off at 3 or 4 in the morning.

What you can try:
Take 30 drops of Dormeasan^® 30 minutes before going to bed.

2. My sleep is interrupted

I fall asleep easily but wake several times through the night. This makes me feel tired and anxious during the day and exhausted when evening comes.

What you can try: 
Take 10 to 20 drops of Dormeasan^® once or twice during the day to help ease symptoms of anxiety – this will also help aid sleep when you retire. If you wake up in the middle of the night, take 30 drops of Dormeasan®.

3. I can’t sleep when on holiday (or when working shifts)

I don’t normally have trouble sleeping, but travelling can make me anxious and I find that my sleep can be disturbed when away on holiday or when the clock changes. I have the same problem when working shifts.

What you can try:   
Take 30 drops of Dormeasan^® 30 minutes before retiring to bed while you settle into these changes. Having a bottle of Dormeasan^® handy in these circumstances means that you can be ready to act if you have trouble sleeping.

4. I have tried other remedies to help me sleep better

I am a light sleeper, waking up several times a night. I have tried other remedies in tablet form. These have worked to a certain extent but I would like to try something else.

What you can try:   
Fresh herb extracts such as Dormeasan^® are liquid herbal medicines made from freshly harvested herbs and can contain higher amounts of active substances^(*). 

* Tobler M, et al. Characteristics of whole fresh plant extracts. Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur GanzheitsMedizin, 1994.

• Do not use if you are allergic to valerian root or hops, or if you are already taking medication for disturbed sleep or insomnia, or another herbal sleep remedy
• If your symptoms worsen or if you do not feel any benefit within 4 weeks, talk to your doctor
• Do not use Dormeasan^® if you are pregnant or breast feeding
• Do not use Dormeasan^® if you are taking another medicine that is affected by alcohol

1ml of Dormeasan^® oral liquid (equivalent to 35 drops) contains:

• Valerian root tincture 0.5ml (Valeriana officinalis L.) (1:10-11) Extraction solvent: ethanol 58%v/v
• Hops strobile tincture 0.5ml (Humulus lupulus L.) (1:12-13) Extraction solvent: ethanol 65% v/v

Other ingredients used are ethanol and water.

Like all medicines, this product can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Minor side effects

The following minor side effects can occur when using this product: feeling sick, stomach discomfort.

These are often short-lived and should go away by themselves. However if they are troubling you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are concerned about any side effect or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Driving and using machines

• This product is intended to help you fall asleep. If you feel drowsy, do not drive or operate machinery.
• The effects of the product may be increased by alcohol. Excessive use of alcohol should therefore be avoided.

1. How can I sleep better at night?

Our Tips for a Good Night's Sleep contains simple and practical lifestyle advice to help you sleep better at night. If you need more help, you may wish to consider a herbal sleep remedy such as Dormeasan^® containing extracts of the herbs Valerian and Hops.

2. How do I know if I am getting enough sleep?

The amount of sleep we need as individuals varies a lot depending on age and personality. Most of us will find that we need 8 hours, but some people can function perfectly well on 3 or 4 hours sleep a night. Read more about What is sleep?

3. Will this remedy help treat insomnia?

Insomnia can be defined as a medical or psychiatric condition characterised by persistent difficulty in falling asleep. Many people suffer from a lesser condition known as sleep disturbance. They feel that they can't sleep or are unable to get a night's sleep - either having difficulty falling asleep or waking up in the middle of the night, or both. Dormeasan^® Valerian-Hops oral drops is a herbal sleep remedy or sleeping aid which can be used for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances. It helps to restore natural sleep, assisting with a good night's sleep.

4. Is Dormeasan^® addictive?

Dormeasan^® is not known to be habit forming.

5. Can I take it if I'm on sedatives or tranquillisers?

Dormeasan^® should not be taken if you are already taking medication for the same problem. You may use Dormeasan^® if the medication you are taking is for symptoms other than sleep disturbances or insomnia. In addition, do not use Dormeasan^® if you are already taking another herbal sleep remedy.

6. Will it make me feel groggy in the morning?

Dormeasan^® helps you towards a natural sleep and will not normally leave you feeling groggy in the morning. If you feel drowsy after taking Dormeasan^®, do not drive or operate machinery.

7. Why is it called Dormeasan^®?

Dormeasan^® is a brand name used by A.Vogel since the 1960s. it comes from the Latin word 'domire' meaning 'to sleep'. This same word is also the origin of a number of words used today, including dormitory, dormer (a window in a sleeping room) and a dormouse.

8. I work night shifts. Can I take it in the morning to help me sleep?

Yes, you can. Take 30 drops half an hour before going to bed.

9. I work shifts and often find it hard to sleep when I need to. I find Dormeasan^® really helps. Is it ok to keep using it when I need it?

As you know the reason for your sleeping difficulty and Dormeasan^® is working well for it, there is no reason not to use it when it’s needed. There is no harm in using Valerian and Hops over an extended period of time, either daily or off and on as required. You can’t become physically dependent on them, and they won’t stop working – your body doesn’t become resistant to them.

10. How can I get to sleep better on long-haul flights or help overcome jet lag?

Long-haul flights can easily disturb your internal body clock, especially when you have to fit straight back into your normal work/life routine and it is quite stressful for most of us. This leads to you feeling awake in the middle of the night, tired during the day and anxious about getting a good sleep. Hence, jet lag is a disturbance to your normal sleep pattern. Dormeasan^® is a herbal sleeping aid which can help towards a better sleep in these circumstances.

11. I have used Dormeasan^® and it works well for me, but I do not like the taste. What can I do?

Take Dormeasan^® in a small amount of fruit juice instead of water.

12. How long can I take Dormeasan^® for?

You can take Dormeasan^® for as long as you need it and if it is helping you sleep.

13. How quickly does Dormeasan^® work?

This can depend on individual circumstances. As a sleeping aid, use Dormeasan^® 30 minutes before bedtime. If after 4 weeks, you feel that there is no improvement in your symptoms, you should consult a healthcare profesional.

14. Can I use Dormeasan^® during the during the day as well?

Yes, Dormeasan^® may also be used to help relieve the symptoms of mild anxiety. You may take an additional 10 or 20 drops once or twice a day. Do not however, take more than a total of 70 drops over a 24 hour period.