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Valerian Supplement

Updated | 2021-01-26

Written and reviewed by the NatureClaim Team


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Valerian

Overview of Valerian

Scientific Name: Valeriana officinalis

Order: Dipsacales

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Valerian is commonly used to treat sleep disorders and insomnia.



Evidence

Strong:

insufficient information

Good:

  • Sleep Disorders/Insomnia (including menopausal and post-menopausal women, children, children with intellectual deficits, and people with restless leg syndrome; however, valerian may not work in cancer patients, people with arthritis, and with chronic insomnia), in one case the effectiveness of valerian was comparable to oxazepam [1-28]
    • Forms of valerian included: valerian acupressure; valerian / lemon balm; valerian / passionflower / hops (possible short-term alternative to zolpidem); valerian / hops (appears to be more superior than valerian alone); valerian / Valeriana edulis; and sesquiterpene extract from valerian
    • One study found that a homeopathic preparation might be more effective than valerian alone

Promising:

  • Anxiety/Stress, valerian / lemon balm may be more effective [29-34]
    • One study found that a homeopathic preparation might be more effective than valerian alone

Conflicting (Unclear):

insufficient information

Limited Evidence:

  • Benzodiazepine Withdrawal [35-36]
  • Calming and Anti-Depressive, valerian with passionflower / St. John’s wort; and St. John’s wort alone [37-38]
  • Nervous Agitation in Children, valerian with passionflower / St. John’s wort; and lemon balm seemed to work [39-40]
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) [41]
  • Painful Menstruation [42]
  • Somatoform Disorder, a complex mixture with butterbur [43]

No Evidence:

insufficient information

No Clinical Research:

All other conditions.


Side Effects
Side effects may include:
  • Agitation
  • Allergic Reactions
  • Blurred Vision
  • Cardiac Disturbances
  • Drowsiness
  • Excitability
  • Gastrointestinal Complaints
  • Hangover-like Symptoms
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Paradoxical Stimulation (opposite effect)
  • Restlessness
  • Vomiting
Precautions and Adverse Events:
  • Avoid or contact a licensed healthcare practitioner, if you may be allergic to valerian, have liver disease, or psychiatric disorders.
  • Valerian appears to not affect motor skills, mood, and cognition when compared to other drugs with similar sedative properties (including Benzodiazepines, Diazepam, Diphenhydramine, and Temazepam).
  • Some cases of allergic reactions, including hives and respiratory distress, have been associated with valerian.
  • Abrupt discontinuation can potentially cause Benzodiazepine-like withdrawal syndrome.
  • Some people using valerian may have increased seizure threshold.
  • There was a case that valerian was toxic to the liver.
[44-53]


Pregnant or Nursing

There is not enough research on the use of supplements containing valerian during pregnancy and breast-feeding, so consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before use or avoid use.



Interactions

Major:

  • Alprazolam
  • Lorazepam (interacted with a valerian/passionflower combination)
  • Phenobarbital
[54-61]

Moderate:

  • Caffeine
  • Drugs Toxic to the Liver, valerian may increase the negative effects of these drugs
[54-61]

Potential:

  • Alcohol
  • Antabuse
  • Barbiturates
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Iron
  • Loperamide
  • Opioid Analgesics
  • Valerian may NOT interact with drugs changed by Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) in the liver
[54-61]


Dosage

Valerian is not a "drug", the best doses have not been thoroughly established. Make sure to follow the specific product instructions and take as directed on the label, or consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before use. According to one report, overdose (20 times the recommended amount) produced mild symptoms. However, overdose of valerian may cause dilation of pupils, irregular heartbeat, and liver damage. [62]



Compounds
Valerian compounds [Afendi et al. 2012]


References

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Does valerian improve sleepiness and symptom severity in people with restless legs syndrome? Altern Ther Health Med. 2009 Mar-Apr;15(2):22-8. 6. Diaper A, Hindmarch I. A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of two doses of a valerian preparation on the sleep, cognitive and psychomotor function of sleep-disturbed older adults. Phytother Res. 2004 Oct;18(10):831-6. 7. Dimpfel W, Suter A. Sleep improving effects of a single dose administration of a valerian/hops fluid extract - a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled sleep-EEG study in a parallel design using electrohypnograms. Eur J Med Res. 2008 May 26;13(5):200-4. 8. Dominguez RA, Bravo-Valverde RL, Kaplowitz BR, Cott JM. Valerian as a hypnotic for Hispanic patients. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2000 Feb;6(1):84-92. 9. Donath F, Quispe S, Diefenbach K, Maurer A, Fietze I, Roots I. Critical evaluation of the effect of valerian extract on sleep structure and sleep quality. 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The fixed combination of valerian and hops (Ze91019) acts via a central adenosine mechanism. Planta Med. 2004 Jul;70(7):594-7. 61. Tsai HH, Lin HW, Simon Pickard A, Tsai HY, Mahady GB. Evaluation of documented drug interactions and contraindications associated with herbs and dietary supplements: a systematic literature review. Int J Clin Pract. 2012 Nov;66(11):1056-78. 62. Willey LB, Mady SP, Cobaugh DJ, Wax PM. Valerian overdose: a case report. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1995 Aug;37(4):364-5. 63. Afendi FM, Okada T, Yamazaki M, Hirai-Morita A, Nakamura Y, Nakamura K, Ikeda S, Takahashi H, Altaf-Ul-Amin M, Darusman LK, Saito K, Kanaya S. KNApSAcK family databases: integrated metabolite-plant species databases for multifaceted plant research. Plant Cell Physiol. 2012 Feb;53(2):e1.