Process for preparing a valerian extract formulation comprising the steps of: a) extracting radix valeriana officinalis with alcoholic-aqueous extractants to obtain a raw extract, said alcoholic-aqueous extractant containing from 10 to 50% by volume of alcohol; b) at least partially removing the alcoholic fraction from the raw extract to obtain a viscous extract; c) contacting the viscous extract with a hydrophobic adsorbing agent; d) separating the hydrophobic adsorbing agent to obtain a purified extract; e) converting the purified extract to a valerian extract formulation using pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary agents.