Overview

Valerian is an herb. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia but also grows in North America. Medicine is made from the root.

Valerian is most commonly used for sleep disorders, especially the inability to sleep (insomnia). Valerian is also used orally for anxiety and psychological stress, but there is limited scientific research to support these uses.

In manufacturing, the extracts and oil made from valerian are used as flavoring in foods and beverages.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Herb

Primary Functions:

Sleep disorders

Also Known As:

All-Heal, Amantilla, Baldrian, Baldrianwurzel, Belgium Valerian

How Does It Work?

Valerian seems to act like a sedative on the brain and nervous system.

Uses

• Insomnia. Although some conflicting research exists, most studies show that taking valerian can reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep by about 15 to 20 minutes. Valerian also seems to improve sleep quality. Doses of 400-900 mg of valerian extract taken up to 2 hours before bed seem to work best. Continuous use for several days, even up to four weeks, may be needed before an effect is noticeable. Some studies show that valerian can help improve sleep when combined with other herbs, including hops and lemon balm. Taking valerian might also improve the sleep quality of people who are withdrawing from the use of sleeping pills. However, some research suggests that valerian does not relieve insomnia as fast as "sleeping pills."
• Symptoms of menopause. Research shows that taking 675-1060 mg of valerian root daily for 8 weeks can reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes in postmenopausal women.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

• For insomnia:
• 400-900 mg valerian extract before bedtime for as long as 6 weeks, or
• 120 mg of valerian extract, with 80 mg of lemon balm extract before bedtime for up to 30 days, or
• 374-500 mg of valerian extract plus 83.8-120 mg of hops extract before bedtime for 2-4 weeks, or
• 300 mg of valerian extract, 80 mg of passionflower extract, and 30 mg of hops extract before bedtime for up to two weeks.
• Take valerian 30 minutes to 2 hours before bedtime.

• For symptoms of menopause: 225 mg of ground valerian root has been taken three times daily for 8 weeks. Also, 530 mg of valerian root extract has been taken twice daily for 8 weeks.

Valerian Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to take valerian?

Although valerian is thought to be fairly safe, side effects such as headache, dizziness, stomach problems or sleeplessness may occur. And because valerian can make you drowsy, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery after taking it. Drug interactions are possible.

What is Valerian used for?

Medicine is made from the root. Valerian is most commonly used for sleep disorders, especially the inability to sleep (insomnia). Valerian is also used orally for anxiety and psychological stress, but there is limited scientific research to support these uses.

Is valerian root better than melatonin?

Valerian root vs melatonin for sleep

Melatonin is a bit more direct than valerian, so it can be more intense. Many struggling sleepers that take melatonin feel groggy the next day. Valerian root also has fewer side effects than melatonin. You cannot take both of these supplements at the same time.

Is it safe to take valerian every night?

Although valerian is thought to be fairly safe, side effects such as headache, dizziness, stomach problems or sleeplessness may occur. If you have liver disease, avoid taking valerian. And because valerian can make you drowsy, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery after taking it.

What are the side effects of valerian root?

Common side effects of valerian include:

• heart disturbances.
• morning drowsiness.

How long does it take for valerian to kick in?

Insomnia. Although some conflicting research exists, most studies show that taking valerian can reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep by about 15 to 20 minutes. Valerian also seems to improve sleep quality. Doses of 400-900 mg of valerian extract taken up to 2 hours before bed seem to work best.

Is Valerian an opioid?

Valerian may cause vivid dreams because it contains essential oil and compounds called iridoid glycosides. These compounds stimulate opioid receptors and serotonin production in your brain, producing relaxing and anti-depressive effects ( 6 ).

Is Valerian a narcotic?

Drug interactions are possible.

Valerian may increase the effects of other sleep aids. It also increases the sedative effect of depressants, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines and narcotics. Valerian can interfere with some prescription medications. And it may interact with other dietary supplements, such as St.

Why does valerian smell bad?

Unlike its delicately scented flowers, valerian root has a very strong, earthy odor due to the volatile oils and other compounds responsible for its sedative effects. Summary: Valerian is an herb native to Asia and Europe. Its root has been used to promote relaxation and sleep since ancient times.

Is Valerian bad for your liver?

Possible Side Effects

Most clinical studies have shown that valerian root is well-tolerated and safe for short-term use. Although rare, liver damage has been known to occur, usually in response to the overuse of valerian supplements or "wild-crafted" dried root.

Is Valerian good for heart?

Historical reports suggest that valerian root was used to treat heart palpitations as far back as the 16th century. Ironically, some people have experienced heart palpitations as a side effect of using or discontinuing valerian root.

Can you take CBD oil with valerian?

Combining valerian root with CBD can have a huge effect on daily life. Adding valerian root to your nighttime routine is one of the best ways to deal with insomnia; this herb works best when taken for 2 or more weeks.

Does Valerian lower blood pressure?

Valerian may have a sedative effect. It may have a stimulant effect for extreme fatigue. Valerian root may lower blood pressure and relax muscles.

Who should not take valerian?

Valerian may not be safe if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. And it has not been evaluated to determine if it's safe for children under 3 years old. If you have liver disease, avoid taking valerian. And because valerian can make you drowsy, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery after taking it.

Does Valerian tea make you high?

Long-term use of the herb has been shown to have addictive properties, but there is no evidence that its use -- whether in tea or capsule form -- would cause someone to return to drug addiction.

How does valerian make you feel?

All the same, symptoms may include not only more headaches but also other brain-related issues, such as excitability and uneasiness. Some people also report feeling more sluggish the morning after taking valerian root, especially at high doses — even if it helped them sleep better.

Is valerian root good for depression?

Valerian. Valerian has long been used for sleep disorders and anxiety and has also been used for other conditions, such as headaches, depression, menopausal symptoms, sedation, irregular heartbeat, and trembling. The research is not yet good enough to confirm those claims, but the risk is minimal.

Can you overdose on valerian?

This herb is popular as a sedative but little is known about its toxic effects. The patient presented with mild symptoms, all of which resolved within 24 h. Valerian overdose, at approximately 20 times the recommended therapeutic dose, appears to be benign.

Does valerian root cause euphoria?

Sedatives are compounds that calm people, reduce anxiety, decrease awareness of one's surroundings, or lessen one's physical ability. These substances may cause perceptual changes especially dreams or cause feelings of euphoria. Psychoactive plants and compounds in this group include poppy, valerian, and passionflower.

Is Valerian an anti inflammatory?

The extracts of valerian root and turnip had anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can be due to presence of flavonoid compounds in these plants, the influence of prostaglandins as well as cyclooxygenase enzyme and the decline in intracellular calcium.

Is valerian root a muscle relaxer?

These compounds include sesquiterpenes (valerenic acid) and iridoids triesters (valepotriates). Valerian may have a sedative effect. It may have a stimulant effect for extreme fatigue. Valerian root may lower blood pressure and relax muscles.

Does Valerian cause body odor?

Unlike its delicately scented flowers, valerian root has a very strong, earthy odor due to the volatile oils and other compounds responsible for its sedative effects.

Is Valerian a sedative?

Valerian is an herb sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Valerian is a common ingredient in products promoted as mild sedatives and sleep aids for nervous tension and insomnia. Evidence from clinical studies of the efficacy of valerian in treating sleep disorders such as insomnia is inconclusive.

Can Valerian cause heart palpitations?

SIDE EFFECTS may include headache, excitability, uneasiness, and, in some cases, insomnia, restlessness and heart palpitations, especially with long-term use of valerian. Valerian may weaken the heartbeat and cause paralysis.

Is it OK to take valerian root everyday?

Though not guaranteed, anxiety and insomnia sufferers may benefit from taking valerian root extract daily. It also may result in fewer side effects than traditional medications for anxiety or insomnia, making it a suitable potential treatment for many people.

Clinical Studies

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