Valerian

valerian Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for:

• Inability to sleep (insomnia). Some research suggests that valerian does not relieve insomnia as fast as “sleeping pills.” Continuous use for several days, even up to four weeks, may be needed before an effect is noticeable. Valerian seems to improve the sleep quality of people who are withdrawing from the use of sleeping pills. Not all evidence is positive, however. Some studies have found that valerian doesn’t improve insomnia any better than a “sugar pill” (placebo).

Insufficient Evidence for:

• Anxiety. There is contradictory evidence about the effectiveness of valerian for anxiety. Some people have reported that it seems to reduce stress in social situations. Yet, other studies have shown no effect.
• Depression. Some early research suggests that taking valerian plus St. John’s wort improves symptoms of depression. Taking higher doses of valerian with St. John’s wort improves depression symptoms faster than low doses.
• Restlessness. A specific combination product, providing valerian root extract 160 mg and lemon balm leaf extract 80 mg (Euvegal forte, Schwabe Pharmaceuticals), has been tried to reduce symptoms of serious restlessness (dyssomnia) in children under the age of 12. Early results show it might be effective, but more research is needed.
• Menstrual disorders (dysmenorrhea). Early research suggests that taking valerian three times daily for two menstrual cycles reduces pain and the need for other pain relievers during menstruation.
• Stress. Early research suggests that taking 600 mg of valerian for 7 days reduces blood pressure, heart rate and feelings of pressure when under stress. Other research found that taking 100 mg before speaking in front of an audience reduces feelings of anxiety. Another study found that taking a combination product containing valerian and lemon balm night lower anxiety caused by stress at low doses but increase anxiety when taken in larger doses.
• Convulsions.
• Mild tremors.
• Epilepsy.
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
• Muscle and joint pain.
• Headache.
• Stomach upset.
• Menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and anxiety.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of valerian for these uses.

valerian Side Effects & Safety

Valerian is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in medicinal amounts short-term. Clinical studies have reported safe use of valerian for medicinal purposes in over 12,000 people in trials lasting up to 28 days. The safety of long-term use is unknown. Some information suggests that valerian might also be safe when taken by children for 4-8 weeks.

Valerian can cause some side effects such as headache, excitability, uneasiness, and even insomnia in some people. A few people feel sluggish in the morning after taking valerian, especially at higher doses. It’s best not to drive or operate dangerous machinery after taking valerian. The long-term safety of valerian is unknown. To avoid possible side effects when discontinuing valerian after long-term use, it's best to reduce the dose slowly over a week or two before stopping completely.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy or breast-feeding: There isn’t enough information about the safety of valerian during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Surgery: Valerian slows down the central nervous system. Anesthesia and other medications used during surgery also affect the central nervous system. The combined effects might be harmful. Stop taking valerian at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

valerian Interactions 

Major Interaction Do not take this combination

• Alcohol interacts with VALERIAN
  Alcohol can cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Valerian might also cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking large amounts of valerian along with alcohol might cause too much sleepiness.
• Alprazolam (Xanax) interacts with VALERIAN
  Valerian can decrease how quickly the liver breaks down alprazolam. Taking valerian with alprazolam might increase the effects and side effects of alprazolam such as drowsiness.
• Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines) interacts with VALERIAN
  Valerian might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Drugs that cause sleepiness and drowsiness are called sedatives. Taking valerian along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
  Some of these sedative medications include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others.
• Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with VALERIAN
  Valerian might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking valerian along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Taking valerian along with sedative medications used in surgery might cause prolonged sedation.
  Some sedative medications include pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), thiopental (Pentothal), fentanyl (Duragesic, Sublimaze), morphine, propofol (Diprivan), and others.

Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination

• Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with VALERIAN
  Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
  Valerian might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking valerian along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking valerian, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.
  Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.

valerian Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

• For inability to sleep (insomnia):
• 400-900 mg valerian extract up to 2 hours before bedtime for as long as 28 days, or
• Valerian extract 120 mg, with lemon balm extract 80 mg 3 times daily for up to 30 days, or
• A combination product containing valerian extract 187 mg plus hops extract 41.9 mg per tablet, 2 tablets at bedtime for 28 days.

Take valerian 30 minutes to 2 hours before bedtime.

There are many people who have problems with insomnia. They try all kinds of things to get to sleep. Valerian also known in Latin as Valeriana officinalis is an herb that is known for helping folks with sleep  problems. Often valerian is combined with other herbs like lemon balm or hops which also cause drowsiness. Valerian has been used to help people withdraw from overuse of sleeping pills. The root of this herb is the portion of the plant that is used.

Additional uses for valerian are helping to relieve relieve anxiety and stress, headaches, stomach upsets, depression, ADHD and chronic fatigue. Sometimes it is used for pain in the joints, and women use it for menstrual cramps and menopause symptoms. 

Valerian is a well-known herb and the medicine comes from the root of the plant. It is a native plant of Europe and Asia and was introduced to North America. The smell is not so pleasant. It resembles wet socks or aged cheese. Valerian can be used in ones bath water to combat restlessness and make one drowsy. There are ongoing studies of the use of valerian root for things like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis ADHD and neuralgia. It works like a natural tranquilizer and it is not addictive. Valerian can be taken as a tea, or if the taste and smell is too overwhelming it can be taken in tablet or capsule form. 

Valerian does have some side effects. Some people experience headache, uneasiness and in a rare few situations, insomnia. One might feel sluggish in the morning after taking valerian and I would recommend staying away from driving or operating dangerous machinery. It is not for pregnant or nursing mothers and should be discontinued two weeks before scheduled surgery as it can interfere with the anesthetic.

Read more about healthy teas on my website at www.valerielull.com 

Valerie Lull, Author
Ten Healthy Teas
www.lullval@clearwire.net