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Valerian
•Last Updated: December 11, 2023
Valeriana officinalis, also known as valerian, is an herb that can be taken as a tea or a supplement. It is commonly used for its sedative and anxiety-reducing effects.
Valerian is most often used for
Last Updated:December 11, 2023
Valerian is a perennial plant from the Valerianaceae family that is native to Europe and Asia and is known for its strong odor and sedative properties. The most common species used in supplements is Valeriana officinalis, which is recommended in Europe for sleep disorders and mild nervous tension, whereas in the U.S., it is classified as a dietary supplement.
Valerian supplements are primarily used to improve sleep disorders like insomnia and may enhance subjective sleep quality compared to a placebo. Additionally, research suggests valerian may have potential therapeutic benefits for brain and menstrual health.
Valerian is generally considered safe, with few side effects, though some studies have reported mild issues like diarrhea, nausea, and drowsiness, which were not significantly different from placebo effects. Additionally, valerian does not impair cognitive functions or interact significantly with medications that are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme family, but further research is needed to explore potential interactions.
Valerian works through various active compounds, particularly valerenic acid, which may modulate GABA receptors and influence the serotonergic system and potentially contribute to its sedative and anxiolytic effects. Additionally, valerian supplementation has been associated with increased slow-wave sleep, which suggests improvements in subjective sleep quality.
Note that Valerian is also known as:
- Valerian root
- Valerianae radix
- Valeriana officinalis
- Baldrianwurzel
- Baldrianwurzel
- Phu
- All-Heal
- Amantilla
- Setwall
- Setewale
- Capon's Tail
- Garden Heliotrope
- Heliotrope
- Vandal Root
- St. George's Herb
- Bloody Butcher
- Common valerian
For the treatment of insomnia, studies have found that valerian root extract should be taken in doses ranging from 300 to 600 mg daily, equivalent to 2 to 3 grams of dried herbal valerian root soaked in one cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Valerian works better when taken 30 minutes to two hours before bedtime.[1]
The European Medicines Agency recommends valerian root to relieve nervous tension, at a dosage of 400–600 mg of valerian extract or 0.3–3 g of powdered valerian root up to 3 times daily.[2][3]
Research FeedRead all studies
- ^Hadley S, Petry JJValerian.Am Fam Physician.(2003-Apr-15)
- ^Shinjyo N, Waddell G, Green JValerian Root in Treating Sleep Problems and Associated Disorders-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.J Evid Based Integr Med.(2020)
- ^European Union herbal monograph on Valeriana officinalis L., radix: European Medicines Agency(February 2016)
- ^Valerian fact sheet for health professionals. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), updated 2013 March 25; cited October 2023
- ^Fernández-San-Martín MI, Masa-Font R, Palacios-Soler L, Sancho-Gómez P, Calbó-Caldentey C, Flores-Mateo GEffectiveness of Valerian on insomnia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trialsSleep Med.(2010 Jun)
- ^Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, Patterson M, Mehling WValerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Med.(2006-Dec)
- ^Pakseresht S, Boostani H, Sayyah MExtract of valerian root (Valeriana officinalis L.) vs. placebo in treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a randomized double-blind studyJ Complement Integr Med.(2011 Oct 11)
- ^Wang et al.Volvalerenone A, a new type of mononorsesquiterpenoid with an unprecedented 3,12-oxo bridge from Valeriana officinalisTetrahedron Letters.(2010)
- ^Schulz H, Stolz C, Müller JThe effect of valerian extract on sleep polygraphy in poor sleepers: a pilot study.Pharmacopsychiatry.(1994-Jul)
- ^Donath F, Quispe S, Diefenbach K, Maurer A, Fietze I, Roots ICritical evaluation of the effect of valerian extract on sleep structure and sleep quality.Pharmacopsychiatry.(2000-Mar)
- ^Mirabi P, Mojab FThe effects of valerian root on hot flashes in menopausal womenIran J Pharm Res.(2013 Winter)
- ^Mirabi P, Dolatian M, Mojab F, Majd HAEffects of valerian on the severity and systemic manifestations of dysmenorrheaInt J Gynaecol Obstet.(2011 Dec)
- ^Behboodi Moghadam Z, Rezaei E, Shirood Gholami R, Kheirkhah M, Haghani HThe effect of Valerian root extract on the severity of pre menstrual syndrome symptomsJ Tradit Complement Med.(2016 Jan 19)
- ^Samaei A, Nobahar M, Hydarinia-Naieni Z, Ebrahimian AA, Tammadon MR, Ghorbani R, Vafaei AAEffect of valerian on cognitive disorders and electroencephalography in hemodialysis patients: a randomized, cross over, double-blind clinical trial.BMC Nephrol.(2018-Dec-27)
- ^Hassani S, Alipour A, Darvishi Khezri H, Firouzian A, Emami Zeydi A, Gholipour Baradari A, Ghafari R, Habibi WA, Tahmasebi H, Alipour F, Ebrahim Zadeh PCan Valeriana officinalis root extract prevent early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after CABG surgery? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Psychopharmacology (Berl).(2015-Mar)
- ^Barton DL, Atherton PJ, Bauer BA, Moore DF Jr, Mattar BI, Lavasseur BI, Rowland KM Jr, Zon RT, Lelindqwister NA, Nagargoje GG, Morgenthaler TI, Sloan JA, Loprinzi CLThe use of Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) in improving sleep in patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer: a phase III randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study (NCCTG Trial, N01C5)J Support Oncol.(2011 Jan-Feb)
- ^Spiess D, Abegg VF, Chauveau A, Rath J, Treyer A, Reinehr M, Kuoni S, Oufir M, Potterat O, Hamburger M, Simões-Wüst APTransplacental passage of hyperforin, hypericin, and valerenic acid.Front Pharmacol.(2023)
- ^Carvalho DP, Peters VM, Dias AF, Dutra SCPL, Guerra MOValerian treatment during the postpartum period alters breast milk composition and impairs long-term memory in female rat offspring.Braz J Med Biol Res.(2021)
- ^Abourashed EA, Koetter U, Brattström AIn vitro binding experiments with a Valerian, hops and their fixed combination extract (Ze91019) to selected central nervous system receptors.Phytomedicine.(2004-Nov)
- ^Maroo N, Hazra A, Das TEfficacy and safety of a polyherbal sedative-hypnotic formulation NSF-3 in primary insomnia in comparison to zolpidem: a randomized controlled trial.Indian J Pharmacol.(2013)
- ^Vassiliadis T, Anagnostis P, Patsiaoura K, Giouleme O, Katsinelos P, Mpoumponaris A, Eugenidis NValeriana hepatotoxicity.Sleep Med.(2009 Sep)
- ^Cohen DL, Del Toro YA case of valerian-associated hepatotoxicity.J Clin Gastroenterol.(2008 Sep)
- ^Kia YH, Alexander S, Dowling D, Standish RA case of steroid-responsive valerian-associated hepatitis.Intern Med J.(2016 Jan)
- ^Garges HP, Varia I, Doraiswamy PMCardiac complications and delirium associated with valerian root withdrawal.JAMA.(1998 Nov 11)
- ^Cuellar NG, Ratcliffe SJDoes valerian improve sleepiness and symptom severity in people with restless legs syndromeAltern Ther Health Med.(2009 Mar-Apr)
- ^Carrasco MC, Vallejo JR, Pardo-de-Santayana M, Peral D, Martín MA, Altimiras JInteractions of Valeriana officinalis L. and Passiflora incarnata L. in a patient treated with lorazepam.Phytother Res.(2009 Dec)
- ^Gutierrez S, Ang-Lee MK, Walker DJ, Zacny JPAssessing subjective and psychomotor effects of the herbal medication valerian in healthy volunteers.Pharmacol Biochem Behav.(2004 May)
- ^Glass JR, Sproule BA, Herrmann N, Streiner D, Busto UEAcute pharmacological effects of temazepam, diphenhydramine, and valerian in healthy elderly subjects.J Clin Psychopharmacol.(2003 Jun)
- ^Donovan JL, DeVane CL, Chavin KD, Wang JS, Gibson BB, Gefroh HA, Markowitz JSMultiple night-time doses of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) had minimal effects on CYP3A4 activity and no effect on CYP2D6 activity in healthy volunteers.Drug Metab Dispos.(2004 Dec)
- ^Strandell J, Neil A, Carlin GAn approach to the in vitro evaluation of potential for cytochrome P450 enzyme inhibition from herbals and other natural remedies.Phytomedicine.(2004 Feb)
- ^Lefebvre T, Foster BC, Drouin CE, Krantis A, Livesey JF, Jordan SAIn vitro activity of commercial valerian root extracts against human cytochrome P450 3A4.J Pharm Pharm Sci.(2004 Aug 12)
- ^Hellum BH, Hu Z, Nilsen OGThe induction of CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 by six trade herbal products in cultured primary human hepatocytes.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol.(2007 Jan)
- ^Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, Williams DK, Gentry WB, Khan IA, Shah AIn vivo effects of goldenseal, kava kava, black cohosh, and valerian on human cytochrome P450 1A2, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5 phenotypes.Clin Pharmacol Ther.(2005-May)
- ^Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JTAn in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures.Phytomedicine.(2000 Jul)
- ^Hellum BH, Nilsen OGThe in vitro inhibitory potential of trade herbal products on human CYP2D6-mediated metabolism and the influence of ethanol.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol.(2007 Nov)
- ^Valerian.Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®).(2006)
- ^Burke H, Jiang S, Chatham P, Stern TADelirium After Withdrawal From Valerian Root: A Case Report.Psychosomatics.(2020 Nov-Dec)
- ^Freitas C, Khanal S, Landsberg D, Kaul VAn Alternative Cause of Encephalopathy: Valerian Root Overdose.Cureus.(2021 Sep)
- Sedation - Pakseresht S, Boostani H, Sayyah MExtract of valerian root (Valeriana officinalis L.) vs. placebo in treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a randomized double-blind studyJ Complement Integr Med.(2011 Oct 11)
- Anxiety Symptoms - Andreatini R, Sartori VA, Seabra ML, Leite JREffect of valepotriates (valerian extract) in generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot studyPhytother Res.(2002 Nov)
- Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms - Cuellar NG, Ratcliffe SJDoes valerian improve sleepiness and symptom severity in people with restless legs syndromeAltern Ther Health Med.(2009 Mar-Apr)
- Sleep Quality - Fernández-San-Martín MI, Masa-Font R, Palacios-Soler L, Sancho-Gómez P, Calbó-Caldentey C, Flores-Mateo GEffectiveness of Valerian on insomnia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trialsSleep Med.(2010 Jun)
- Sleep Quality - Leathwood PD, Chauffard FAqueous extract of valerian reduces latency to fall asleep in manPlanta Med.(1985 Apr)
- Sleep Quality - Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, Patterson M, Mehling WValerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Med.(2006-Dec)
- Insomnia Signs and Symptoms - Taavoni S, Ekbatani N, Kashaniyan M, Haghani HEffect of valerian on sleep quality in postmenopausal women: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trialMenopause.(2011 Sep)
- Sleep Quality - Barton DL, Atherton PJ, Bauer BA, Moore DF Jr, Mattar BI, Lavasseur BI, Rowland KM Jr, Zon RT, Lelindqwister NA, Nagargoje GG, Morgenthaler TI, Sloan JA, Loprinzi CLThe use of Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) in improving sleep in patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer: a phase III randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study (NCCTG Trial, N01C5)J Support Oncol.(2011 Jan-Feb)
- Sleep Quality - Shinjyo N, Waddell G, Green JValerian Root in Treating Sleep Problems and Associated Disorders-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.J Evid Based Integr Med.(2020)
- Sleep Quality - Mirabi P, Mojab FThe effects of valerian root on hot flashes in menopausal womenIran J Pharm Res.(2013 Winter)
- Pain - Mirabi P, Dolatian M, Mojab F, Majd HAEffects of valerian on the severity and systemic manifestations of dysmenorrheaInt J Gynaecol Obstet.(2011 Dec)
- Sleep Quality - Taibi DM, Bourguignon C, Gill Taylor AA feasibility study of valerian extract for sleep disturbance in person with arthritisBiol Res Nurs.(2009 Apr)
- PMS Symptoms - Behboodi Moghadam Z, Rezaei E, Shirood Gholami R, Kheirkhah M, Haghani HThe effect of Valerian root extract on the severity of pre menstrual syndrome symptomsJ Tradit Complement Med.(2016 Jan 19)