Novel and highly effective sleep inducing 3.beta.-hydroxy methyl-4.alpha.-hydroxy-8.beta.-alkoxy-2,9-dioxa tricyclo [4,3,1,0.sup.3,7 ] decane compounds of the following Formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 indicates an alkoxy group and preferably a lower alkoxy group, such as the methoxy group, the ethoxy group, or the n-butoxy group, whileR.sub.2 indicates the 10-methylene group or the 10.beta.-methyl group, are produced from didrovaltratum, i.e., 1-isovaleroxy-4-isovaleroxy methyl-7-acetoxy-spiro-oxirano-1,9-dihydrocyclopenta(c)pyrane or from extracts of plants of the genus Valerianaceae which contain about 70% of didrovaltratum. The novel compounds have a surprisingly low toxicity.