Valerian : Uses and Health Benefits

by MedlinePlus

Valerian is an herb native to Europe and Asia, and now grows in most parts of the world. The name is believed to come from the Latin word "valere" meaning to be healthy or strong. The root of the plant is believed to contain its active constituents. Use of valerian as a sedative and anti-anxiety treatment has been reported for more than 2000 years. For example, in the 2ndcentury AD, Galen recommended valerian as a treatment for insomnia. Related species have been used in traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Preparations for use on the skin have been used to treat sores and acne, and valerian by mouth has been used for other conditions such as digestive problems, flatulence (gas), congestive heart failure, urinary tract disorders, and angina.

Valerian extracts became popular in the U.S. and Europe in the mid-1800s, and continued to be used by both physicians and the lay public until it was widely replaced by prescription sedative drugs. Valerian remains popular in North America, Europe, and Japan and is widely used to treat insomnia and anxiety. Although the active ingredients in valerian are not known, preparations are often standardized to the content of valerenic acid.

Synonyms

All-heal, amantilla, balderbrackenwurzel, baldrian, baldrianwurzel, baldrion, Belgian valerian, blessed herb, capon's tail, common valerian, English valerian, fixed valerian-hops extract combination Ze91019, fragrant valerian, garden heliotrope, garden valerian, German valerian, great wild valerian, herba benedicta, heliptrope, Indian valerian, Jacob's ladder, Japanese valerian, katzenwurzel, laege-baldrian, Li 156, Mexican valerian, Nervex®, Neurol®, Orasedon®, pacific valerian, phu, phu germanicum, phu parvum, pinnis dentatis, racine de valèriane, radix valerian, red valerian, Sanox-N®, Sedonium®, setewale capon's tail, setwall, setwell, tagara, theriacaria, Ticalma®, V. edulis, V. faurieri , V. foliis pinnatis, V. jatamansi, V. radix, V. sitchensis, V. wallichii , valariana, Valerianaceae (family), Valerianaheel®, valeriane, Valmane®, vandal root, Vermont valerian, wild valerian.

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Uses based on scientific evidence

Insomnia

Several studies in adults suggest that valerian improves the quality of sleep and reduces the time to fall asleep (sleep latency), for up to 4-6 weeks. Ongoing nightly use may be more effective than single-dose use, with increasing effects over 4 weeks. Better effects have been found in poor sleepers. However, most studies have not used scientific ways of measuring sleep improvements, such as sleep pattern data in a sleep laboratory. Studies of combination valerian-hops or valerian-St. John's wort products are promising, but further study is needed before a strong recommendation can be made. It is not clear how valerian compares to prescription sleep aids. Initial research suggests that valerian may also be helpful in children with sleep disorders.

Anxiety disorder

Several studies of valerian have reported benefits in reducing non-specific anxiety symptoms. Valerian has also been given in combination with other herbs, such as passionflower and St. John's wort to treat anxiety. However, most studies have been small and poorly designed. More research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Sedation

Although valerian has not been studied specifically as a sedative, evidence from studies conducted for other purposes suggests that valerian may not have significant sedative effects when used at recommended doses. Therefore, even though valerian could be helpful as a sleep aid, it does not appear to cause sedation.

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Acne, amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), angina, anorexia, anti-seizure, antiperspirant, antiviral, arthritis, asthma, bloating, bronchospasm/asthma, congestive heart failure,constipation, cough, cramping (abdominal, pelvic, menstrual), depression, digestive problems, diuretic (increase urine flow), dysmenorrhea (pain with menstrual cycle), emmenagogue (stimulation of menstrual blood flow), epilepsy, fatigue, fever, flatulence (gas), hangovers, headache, heart disease, heartburn, high blood pressure, HIV, hot flashes, hypochondria, irritable bowel syndrome, liver disorders, measles, memory enhancement, menopausal symptoms, migraine, mood enhancement, muscle pain/spasm/tension, nausea, nerve pain, pain relief, restlessness, stomach ulcers, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), restless leg syndrome, rheumatic pain, skin disorders, stress, urinary tract disorders, vaginal infections, vertigo, viral gastroenteritis, vision problems, withdrawal from tranquilizers.

Dosing

Standardization

Standardization involves measuring the amount of certain chemicals in products to try to make different preparations similar to each other. It is not always known if the chemicals being measured are the "active" ingredients. Some valerian products are standardized to contain 0.8% to 0.3% valerenic or valeric acid, although other chemical components may be responsible for valerian's activity in the body.

Adults (18 years and older)

Insomnia: Studied doses range from 400 to 900 milligrams of an aqueous or aqueous-ethanolic extract (corresponding to 1.5 to 3 grams of herb), taken 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed. The better-designed studies have used 600 milligrams daily, taken one hour before bedtime. Valerian has historically been used in the form of a tea (1.5 to 3 grams root steeped for 5 to 10 minutes in 150 milliliters boiling water), although this formulation has not been studied. 300-1800 milligrams of valerian have been taken by mouth in capsule form.

Sedation/Anxiety: One study evaluated the effect of 100 milligrams of aqueous or aqueous-ethanolic extract before a stressful event. Valerian is also used traditionally as a relaxant in the form of a tea (1.5 to 3 grams root steeped for 5 to 10 minutes in 150 milliliters boiling water), although this formulation has not been studied.

Children (younger than 18 years)

There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend use of valerian in children.

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