Valerian has occasionally been tried as part of a program to take a patient off antidepressants or benzodiazepines, and is sometimes used as a muscle relaxant to treat pain. "The" part to use is the root. It became popular in Europe in the 17th century. Valerian. Valerian belongs to the family of Valerianaceae, they are herbaceous plants that live in wetlands, forests, along streams up to 2000 m above sea level and are found in the wild in regions with temperate climate and Costs. Valerian can also be used externally in essential oil form. Valerian has been used in Unani, Ayurvedic, and traditional Chinese health systems and for homeopathic uses for cardiotonic and sedative properties, as well as in epilepsy, hysteria, and other conditions.5 Despite its odor, valerian was considered a perfume in 16th-century Europe. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements. You can't always be certain of what you're getting and whether it's safe. It is effective in curing sciatica, especially if the cause of sciatica pain is … Herbal supplements aren't monitored by the Food and Drug Administration the same way medications are. Benefits are considered to be approximately equal to risks (Weak; Low).54, A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study evaluated valerian in a small group of patients who qualified for inclusion according to DSM-IV-TR criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores 21 or higher. It’s sold as a dry powdered extract in capsule form, a tea, tincture or fluid extract. For an even yummier flavor in your tea, add a pinch of cinnamon chips or peppermint leaf to your herbal mixture. You should talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this product. Insomnia: Valerian extract 400 to 600 mg/day taken 1 hour before bedtime for 2 to 4 weeks has been used in clinical trials. It is perennial. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. To learn more about valerian and its many uses, stop on over to our article here and then follow up with these resources that follow! Tissue culture of valerian species has focused on the production of valepotriates.2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Several in vitro and animal experiments have attempted to elucidate the mechanism of action for various valerian compounds. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Since ancient times Valerian has been used for medicinal purposes as an herb. In general, clinical studies have found valerian to have a wide margin of safety, be devoid of adverse effects, and have fewer adverse reactions than positive control drugs, such as diazepam. Valerian is a perennial herb that grows between 2-5 feet in height, with one or more hollow stems. The evidence to support the common use of valerian in insomnia remains weak. If you lead a fairly healthy life and still having one of those nights that you just can’t get to sleep, there are many herbs that can help calm the mind and body to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Latin Names--Valeriana officinalis. The sesquiterpene valerenic acid and its derivatives and the valepotriates are generally thought to be the active constituents; however, wide variations in the composition of commercial preparations make interpretation of clinical data difficult.9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, Both a meta-analysis and systematic review comment on the lack of trials meeting inclusion criteria because of poor methodology, the use of healthy volunteers, and combination therapies.14, 23 One small, pilot clinical trial meeting inclusion criteria evaluated the effect of valepotriates 150 mg per day in 3 divided doses over 4 weeks in generalized anxiety disorder.24 No difference was demonstrated for the standardized valerian extract versus placebo or diazepam 20 mg.24 Until studies with a larger sample size are conducted, the efficacy of valerian remains unclear.14, 23, Another review of clinical trials and in vitro experiments suggests the effect of valerian may be because of anxiolytic action, rather than sedation.13 This was demonstrated by a laboratory experiment with rodents that found no decrease in spontaneous locomotor activity and no increase in ether-induced anesthesia, but did find a reduction in anxiety using the elevated plus maize test.25 Older experiments in rodents found conflicting results for spontaneous motor activity.22, 26, One randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluated the use of valerian compared with identical placebo in college-age women for management of dysmenorrhea symptoms. No adverse reactions were noted at this dosage; however, results were inconclusive.6, 36 Studies have consistently found no effect for a single dose of valerian in improving sleep latency or quality.27, 28, 29. And the list goes on and on. Patients receiving valerian had reduced odds of cognitive dysfunction compared to placebo based on a generalized estimation equation (estimate, −2.2; odds ratio, 0.108; 95% confidence interval, 0.022 to 0.545).60, Guidelines have been published regarding the use of valerian in restless legs syndrome (RLS). Get the recipe, along with additional tips for getting a good night’s rest here: http://www.thehippyhomemaker.com/good-night-sleep-tight-sleepytime-tea-tincture-good-nights-rest/. Other uses not proven with research have included treating anxiety, stress, depression, attention deficit disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, tremors, epilepsy, menopause symptoms, and other conditions. http://herbalacademyofne.com/2015/05/on-the-go-herbal-first-aid-kit-for-camping-hiking-or-anywhere/. This plant has more than 2000 years of documented use! With the exception of certain products that are generally recognized as safe in normal quantities, including use of folic acid and prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, this product has not been sufficiently studied to determine whether it is safe to use during pregnancy or nursing or by persons younger than 2 years of age. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. Headache and diarrhea have been reported in clinical trials, but hangover is seldom reported.5, 6, 13, 24, 30, 31, 32, An intentional overdose has been reported, in which 20 times the recommended dose was ingested; the patient experienced mild symptoms that resolved within 24 hours.42 A case of withdrawal after chronic use of valerian has been reported; however, the complex nature of the patient's medical history provides weak evidence of valerian's role.43 Farmers growing valerian were evaluated for adverse reactions, with few notable effects observed.44, Hepatotoxicity associated with valerian use was first reported in 1989. Other compounds identified include flavonoids, triterpenes, lignans, and alkaloids. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Please add your email address below and click "Submit" to add yourself to our mailing list. This product may be unsafe when used before surgery or other medical procedures. It is important to fully inform your doctor about the herbal, vitamins, mineral or any other supplements you are taking before any kind of surgery or medical procedure. Valerian is great for healing the nervous system and the digestive system. It grows in a temperate climate. Later, it was prescribed as an antispasmodic, calmative, and sleep aid as well as to counter ­fatigue. (Valerian root’s smell is strong, but its taste is less off-putting.) Valtrate, acevaltrate, and didrovaltrate are the most important iridoids; European valerian extracts were formerly standardized on these unstable compounds, which have a short shelf life in the tincture. Check out the handy list of herbal substitutions in the post. It has pointed dark green leaves and grayish roots that have no odor when fresh but develop a fairly unpleasant smell when they dry. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Valerian root extract is mostly used to treat sleep problems like insomnia. To support our efforts please browse our store (books with medicinal info, etc.). Alternative practitioners believe that valerian root can treat a variety of health conditions, including insomnia, anxiety, headaches, digestive problems, menopause symptoms, and post-exercise muscle pain and fatigue. Valerian as a medicinal herb Use of valerian in antiquity and the Middle Ages. In the 1980s, Swiss researchers studied the effects of valerian root on sleep patterns and found that the herb reduced the time it took to fall asleep, especially in elderly patients and those with slee… This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get this recipe and nine others especially good for cold and flu season on this post: http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/09/ten-homemade-herbal-teas-for-cold-and-flu-season/. Very limited evidence of effectiveness was found for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with valerian 255 mg root powder 3 times daily compared to placebo or no treatment (1 randomized clinical trial, n = 100); however, no difference was identified between valerian 250 mg compared to mefenamic acid 250 mg (1 randomized clinical trial, n = 99).61, Single-dose studies have consistently found no effect for a single dose of valerian in improving sleep latency or quality.27, 28, 29, A meta-analysis of studies published through September, 2008 evaluated data from eighteen randomized controlled trials (>1300 patients). Affiliate links are shared throughout the website and the Herbal Academy may receive compensation if you make a purchase with these links. However, one case of severe acute hepatitis refractory to improvement subsequent to valerian discontinuation was reported in a 57-year-old man. If you suffer from menstrual cramps, be sure to read how valerian and other herbs can help and try out this tea by The Hippy Homemaker. http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/02/sheltering-with-valerian/. However, the majority of valerian supplements that are available on the market today use extracts … http://somecallitnatural.com/2013/01/cough-and-bronchial-concoction-remedy-oregano-oil-mullein-valerian/. The plant has been shown to provide both improved sleep quality and longer sleep, without giving the “hangover” feeling in the morning like so many synthetic medications used to treat insomnia. Apply it externally for ulcers, eczema and minor injuries. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 7 Dec 2020), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Dec 2020), ASHP (updated 3 Dec 2020) and others. http://www.thehippyhomemaker.com/aunt-flos-cramps-tea-tincture/. While valerian has been used extensively as a sleep aid, it has also been used for upper respiratory problems, pain relief, skin problems, and cramps. Valerian is the main force in this recipe, keeping us covered for the sleepy side of the formula. Many analytical high performance liquid chromatographic methods have been developed for the sesquiterpenes and valepotriates. Of approximately 200 known species, the Eurasian Vakeruaba officinalis is most often cultivated for medicinal use. The tincture has been used for its sedative properties for centuries; it is still widely used in France, Germany, and Switzerland as a sleep aid.6 Other uses attributed to valerian include a digestive aid, emmenagogue, and antiperspirant.2. The composition of the volatile oil varies markedly between cultivars and species, as does the amount and relative proportion of cytotoxic valepotriates, making chemical standardization difficult but highly desirable. The taste is quite similar, which is probably because valerian and lamb’s lettuce are related. The authors did not find significant benefits for sleep latency time or sleep quality as rated by visual analogue scale. Then check your email to find a welcome message from our Herbal Academy team with a special link to download our ", Get to Know the Versatile Chamomile Plant, Making Herbal Preparations 101 Mini Course, Herbs for ADHD, Cognition, and Focus Intensive. No adverse events were reported.59, The American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic treatment for chronic insomnia (2017) suggests that valerian not be used as a treatment for sleep onset or sleep maintenance insomnia (versus no treatment) in adults. Keep versatile valerian root on hand to soothe sore muscles and bruises, to relieve a chesty cough, or to help you fall asleep. Please add your email address below and click "Submit" to add yourself to our mailing list. Reduce the dosage slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms. However, as valerian preparations seem to have a wide margin of safety, further trials for insomnia and anxiety may be warranted. Valerian can interfere with some prescription medications. Valerian has been classified as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) in the United States for food use; extracts and the root oil are used as flavorings in foods and beverages. Here is a look at some of the more common uses of valerian root: What Valerian Is Used For. Three distinct classes of compounds have been associated with the sedative properties of valerian. Headache ease ” tincture can help get the pain under control a effect! Sleep tea meters in height, with only two main ingredients distributed in the 17th century for example, tea. Example, a study of 16 insomnia patients investigated how valerian root impacted their sleep latency or... Roots, and can be added to charms and talismans for protection in... 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Valepotriates has been updated, and I agree - this can provide a more plant...
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