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Botanical Name: Valeriana officinalis
Common Names: Valerian
Valerian, native to the Americas, Asia, and Europe has been used to ease
insomnia, stress-related
anxiety, and nervous restlessness for thousands of
years, with particular popularity in Europe starting in the 17th century. Now,
modern day research, mainly over the last decade, has begun to confirm the
scientific validity of these historic uses. It may also ease menstrual and
stomach cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, some of the restlessness that
accompanies attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and migraine
symptoms. There have also been rare reports for use to treat convulsions from a
seizure disorder. Its most well-researched use, however, is as a calmant to help
people sleep.
Insomnia
Valerian is a popular alternative treatment to benzodiazepines (such as
diazepam
and alprazolam) and other commonly prescribed medications for sleep problems
because it is considered to be both safe and gentle. In studies of animals and
people, valerian has demonstrated mild sedative and tranquilizing activity, as
well as the ability to relieve anxiety. Generally, studies have shown that
valerian reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and improves the quality of
sleep itself. Plus, unlike many prescription sleep aids, valerian may have fewer
after effects the next day, such as morning drowsiness. In addition, although
not studied scientifically, some experts use valerian for sleep disturbances
related to feelings of depression.
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Valerian products are made from the root of a tall, wispy plant, which is
grown to decorate gardens but also grows wild in damp grasslands. Its
umbrella-like heads top grooved, erect, and hollow stems. Its dark green leaves
are pointed at the tip and hairy underneath. Small, sweet-smelling white, light
purple, or pink flowers bloom in June. The root is light grayish brown and has a
pungent odor.
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The manufacture of medicinal valerian products begins with pressed fresh root
or powdered freeze-dried root (frozen below 400°C). Valerian pressed-root juice
added to alcohol or glycerite (sweet, nonalcohol liquid) bases become fluid
extracts or tinctures; powdered root goes into capsules and tablets.
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Valerian fluid extracts and tinctures are sold in alcohol or alcohol-free (glycerite)
bases. Powdered valerian is available in capsule or tablet form, and also as a
tea.
Valerian products are commonly added to formulas that contain other calming
herbs, such as passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), hops (Humulus lupulus),
lemon balm (Melissa officinalis),
skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), and
kava
(Piper methysticum). (Note: reports linking kava with severe liver damage has
prompted regulatory agencies in Europe and Canada to warn consumers of the
potential risks associated with this herb and even remove kava-containing
products from the market. Based on these and other reports in the United States,
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also issued a consumer advisory in March
of 2002 regarding the "rare," but potential risk of liver failure associated
with kava-containing products.)
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Valerian products should be standardized to contain 0.8% valerenic or valeric
acid; standardization helps to assure quality control in herbal products.
Pediatric
Adjust the recommended adult dose to account for the child's weight. Most herbal
dosages for adults are calculated on the basis of a 150 lb (70 kg) adult.
Therefore, if the child weighs 50 lb (20 to 25 kg), the appropriate dose of
valerian for this child would be 1/3 of the adult dosage.
Adult
To help bring on sleep, reduce nervousness and anxiety, valerian may be taken in
the following doses an hour or so before retiring, or up to three times in the
course of the day, with the last dose near bedtime. It may take a few weeks
before the effects are felt.
- Tea: Pour 1 C boiling water over 1 teaspoonful (2 to 3 g) of dried root,
steep 5 to 10 minutes.
- Tincture (1:5): 1 to 1 1/2 tsp (4 to 6 mL)
- Fluid extract (1:1): 1/2 to 1 tsp (1 to 2 mL)
- Dry powdered extract (4:1): 250 to 500 mg
- Valerian extract, standardized to contain 0.8% valerenic acid: 150 to
300 mg.
Once sleep improves, valerian should be continued for two to four weeks. A
total of four to six weeks is usually the length of treatment advised by
herbalists. After six weeks, a two-week break is recommended to see if sleep has
improved. (Note, however, that abruptly stopping valerian has, on very rare
occasions, caused withdrawal symptoms; see Precautions. Therefore, it is
important to follow the directions of a qualified practitioner when weaning off
of valerian.) If there has been no improvement, another four-to-six week course
of treatment may be started.
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The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and
treating disease. Herbs, however, contain active substances that can trigger
side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For
these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a
practitioner knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine.
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) gives valerian a class 1
safety rating, which indicates that it is a safe herb with a wide dosage range.
Nevertheless, some people have a "paradoxical reaction" to valerian. This
means that instead of feeling calm or sleepy, they suddenly feel nervous,
anxious, and restless after they take valerian and may experience palpitations
(a feeling of a racing heart).
There is also some evidence that in cases where valerian has been used over a
long period of time, serious withdrawal symptoms may occur when it is stopped
abruptly.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised against using valerian
and, because of its tranquilizing effects, valerian should not be used while
driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in other activities that require
alertness. Also, some warn against use if you have liver disease because of a
few reports of liver damage when valerian was used in combination with skullcap,
another herb used for anxiety.
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If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you
should not use valerian without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Anesthesia
For those facing surgery, it is important to note that valerian may increase the
effects of anesthesia and, thus, it is important to discuss the use of valerian
with your healthcare providers (particularly the surgeon and anesthesiologist)
well in advance of your planned operation. The doctors may advise you on how to
taper use of valerian prior to the surgery. Or, they may allow you to continue
use up to the time of surgery, making any necessary adjustments to the
anesthesia and giving you medication to avoid possible withdrawal symptoms from
the valerian while in the hospital.
Sedatives and
Anti-anxiety Medications
There are no reports in the scientific literature to suggest that valerian
interacts with any conventional medications. However, valerian is a sedative
herb that may increase the effects of alcohol and medications for anxiety and
insomnia. Valerian should not be combined with barbiturates (medications, such
as pentobarbital, prescribed for sleep disorders or seizures), and should be
used with caution, if at all, by people taking benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety and
sleep inducing medications including alprazolam,
diazepam, and
lorazepam) or
other sedative medications (such as antihistamines).
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the
accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application,
use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury
and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability,
negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard
to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any
drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is
not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the
information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized
healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package
inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and
contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed
herein.
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Reviewed: 02/2006
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