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Other common
name(s): valerian tea, valerian root, valerian extract
Scientific/medical
name(s):
Valeriana officinalis
Description
Valerian is a flowering plant native to Europe, Asia, and the
Americas. In herbal remedies, the plant's root is chopped and made into
a tea or extract to be used primarily as a sedative. Although the fresh
root has little odor, the dried root has an odor that is often
described as being similar to dirty socks.
Overview
Valerian is an herb used for anxiety and sleeplessness.
Although some research suggests that it is effective, the results have
been inconsistent and, in many cases, the study methods have been
flawed. More research is needed to make definite conclusions about its
effectiveness. There are some side effects linked with long-term
valerian use, and it has the potential to interfere with anesthesia and
other medicines.
How is it promoted for use?
Herbal practitioners claim that valerian root or extract can
lessen anxiety and nervous tension, promote sleep, help people quit
smoking, ease congestion, and relieve muscle spasms. Generally, no one
claims that valerian is useful for treating or preventing cancer.
What does it involve?
Valerian root is on the Commission E (Germany's regulatory
agency for herbs) list of approved herbs. Supplements are available in
tablets, capsules, or tinctures, and it can also be brewed as a tea.
When taken as a sleep aid, the usual dosage of valerian extract in
tablet form is 300 to 900 milligrams to be taken an hour or two before
bedtime. For stress and anxiety, the usual dose is 50 to 100 milligrams
taken 2 to 3 times a day, although some recommend doses of 200
milligrams or even 400 milligrams.
What is the history behind it?
For thousands of years, the Chinese, Greeks, Romans, and
Indians have used valerian as a mild sedative. The origin of the word
"pew" is said to come from the foul odor of the valerian root, which a
first century AD Roman physician, Dioscorides, called phu. In the
mid-1800s in the United States, the Shakers began growing valerian and
other herbs to market to doctors and pharmacists in America and Europe.
Valerian is sometimes used to flavor foods and drinks such as root
beer.
What is the evidence?
Several controlled human studies have been conducted comparing
valerian with a placebo. Some studies showed that those who took
valerian had less insomnia and better sleep quality, while other
studies showed no difference between valerian and placebo.
A German study compared valerian extract to oxazepam (a
prescription anti-anxiety drug) in 202 adults over a 6-week period. The
people taking valerian reported equal improvement in sleep quality,
feeling rested, and how long they slept as those taking the
prescription drug.
A randomized clinical trial reported in 2005 of nearly 400
people compared valerian with kava or placebo. Neither valerian nor
kava was significantly better than placebo in reducing anxiety or
improving sleep. A number of other studies have found that valerian
shortens the time it takes to fall asleep, although most of the studies
had small sample sizes and short follow-up periods. In addition, the
study used valerian from more than one source and used different doses,
making results difficult to interpret.
Of interest, studies that have looked at only a single dose of
the herb have tended to show no improvement in sleep at all. Longer
studies suggested that improvement increased over a period of 2 to 4
weeks, suggesting that the herb may be more likely to work if taken
over a period of a few weeks.
On the basis of animal studies and several clinical trials in
Europe, German health officials have approved valerian as a sleep aid
and mild sedative. While some experts trust in valerian's safety and
effectiveness as a mild sedative, others are uncertain because of
conflicting evidence. More research is needed to be sure of
valerian’s effectiveness for sleep.
A 2006 evidence review of valerian and anxiety found only one
study that used reliable research methods, and concluded that there is
not enough evidence to know whether valerian might be useful as a
treatment for anxiety disorders.
A Norwegian clinical trial of 405 patients with insomnia
suggested that valerian might be slightly better than placebo and
concluded that "…valerian appears to be safe, but with
modest beneficial effects at most on insomnia compared to placebo."
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Valerian is considered to be relatively safe when used in
recommended doses during 4 to 6 week periods. However, some people may
notice restlessness and heart palpitations, especially with long-term
use of valerian. Long-term or excessive use is not advised because of
possible side effects, which include headaches, blurred vision, heart
palpitations, and nausea. A few people become excitable and unable to
sleep when they take valerian. Rarely, liver damage has been linked to
valerian, although it is uncertain whether valerian, contaminants, or
other herbs caused the damage. Those who take valerian should tell
their doctors so that their liver function can be monitored. Allergic
reactions may also be possible.
Valerian should not be taken with alcohol, antihistamines,
muscle relaxants, sedatives, anti-seizure drugs, narcotics, or any
drugs used in treatment of mental illnesses. People on cancer treatment
medicines, anti-fungal drugs, allergy drugs, or medicines for high
cholesterol should talk with their doctors or pharmacists about
possible drug interactions before taking valerian. Because valerian may
interact with anesthetics, people who are going to have surgery should
not use valerian. However, suddenly stopping the herb has caused
withdrawal symptoms in some people, so the dose of valerian should be
tapered slowly, starting several weeks before surgery. Always tell your
doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you are taking.
People with liver or kidney disease should talk to their
doctors before taking valerian. In very high doses, the herb may weaken
the heartbeat and cause paralysis. Women who are pregnant or
breast-feeding should not take valerian. Relying on this type of
treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for
cancer may have serious health consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Barrett B, Kiefer D, Rabago D. Assessing the risks and
benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. Altern Ther Health Med.
1999;5:40-49.
Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, Patterson M, Mehling W. Valerian
for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med.
2006;119:1005-1012.
Blumenthal M, ed. The
Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal
Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 1998.
Ernst E, ed. The
Desktop Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An
Evidence-Based Approach. New York: Mosby; 2001.
Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's
Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines.
Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.
Garges HP, Varia I, Doraiswamy PM. Cardiac complications and
delirium associated with valerian root withdrawal. JAMA.
1998;280:1566-1567.
Hadley S, Petry JJ. Valerian. Am Fam Physician.
2003;67:1755-1758.
Jacobs BP, Bent S, Tice JA, Blackwell T, Cummings SR. An
internet-based randomized, placebo-controlled trial of kava and
valerian for anxiety and insomnia. Medicine
(Baltimore). 2005;84:197-207.
Miller L. Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations
focusing on know or potential drug-herb interactions. Arch Intern Med.
1998;158:2200-2211.
Miyasaka LS. Atallah AN. Soares BG. Valerian for anxiety
disorders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;(4):CD004515.
Dietary supplement fact sheet: valerian. Office of Dietary
Supplements Web site. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Valerian_pf.asp.
Accessed June 6, 2008.
O’Hara M, Kiefer D, Farrell K, Kemper K. A review of
12 commonly used medicinal herbs. Arch
Fam Med. 1998;7:523-536.
Oxman AD, Flottorp S, Håvelsrud K, Fretheim A,
Odgaard-Jensen J, Austvoll-Dahlgren A, Carling C, Pallesen S, Bjorvatn
B. A televised, web-based randomised trial of an herbal remedy
(valerian) for insomnia. PLoS ONE. 2007;2:e1040.
Valerian. Drug Digest Web site.
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/PrintablePages/herbMonograph/0,11475,4047,00.html.
Accessed June 6, 2008.
Ziegler G, Ploch M, Miettinen-Baumann A, Collet W. Efficacy
and tolerability of valerian extract LI 156 compared with oxazepam in
the treatment of non-organic insomnia—a randomized,
double-blind, comparative clinical study. Eur J Med Res.
2002;7:480-486.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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