Natural Products

Valerian

Scientific names: Valeriana officinalis. A number of other species have been used medicinally, including V. wallichi, V. sambucifolia, and the related Centranthus ruber.

Common names: Valerian also is known as baldrian, radix valerianae, Indian valerian (V. wallichii), and red valerian (C. ruber).

Efficacy rating:

●●●...Positive clinical trials

Safety rating:

●...Little exposure or very minor concerns.

What is Valerian?

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Members of the genus Valeriana are herbaceous perennials widely distributed in the temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Of the approximately 200 known species, the Eurasian V. officinalis is the species most often cultivated for medicinal use. The dried rhizome contains a volatile oil with a distinctive, unpleasant odor. The fresh drug has no appreciable smell; however, drying liberates the odiferous constituent.

What is Valerian used for?

Traditional/Ethnobotanical uses

Despite its odor, valerian was considered a perfume in 16th century Europe. 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. Approximately 50 tons of valerian are sold each year in France.

Miscellaneous uses

Human studies have documented valerian's effectiveness as a sleep aid and as a mild anti-anxiety agent. The effect appears to be weaker in healthy subjects than in poor sleepers. Several studies of valerian in combination with a variety of other herbs also show anti-anxiety and antidepressant activities.

What is the dosage of Valerian?

Valerian root (fresh or dried) has been used at doses of 2 to 3 g given 1 to 3 times/day for nervousness or as an antispasmodic, and at bedtime for insomnia. Several types of extracts have been tested; an aqueous extract has shown activity in sleep studies at doses of 270 to 900 mg, while an ethanolic extract has been recommended at 600 mg for sleep. Combinations with extracts of hops (eg, ReDormin, Ze 91019) or with lemon balm (EuVegal Forte) are quite common as sleep aids and the valerian extract dose in combinations is 320 to 500 mg. Lipophilic extracts such as Baldrian-Dispert have fallen out of favor because of toxicity concerns and the failure to identify active principles in them.