Sue Evans
Aboriginal Health
Complementary Medicine
Valerian Root
Complementary, not Alternative
Kinesiology - Doorway to the Unseen World
Herbal treatment in the Menopause
Last Modified 31/10/98
Inability to sleep or disturbed sleep is a common complaint. Habitual or severe insomnia may require pharmaceutical intervention. However, there is some evidence to indicate that herbal preparations may be useful in mild to moderate cases, both in the form of tablets made of concentrated extracts and as simple herbal teas.
Valeriana officinalis, or valerian root, is one of the most common herbs used for insomnia. Leatherwood and Charffard 1 in 1985 carried out placebo controlled trials (n3D128), using tablets of 400mg of valerian extract. They found there was no effect on the sleep pattern of young healthy subjects with no sleep problems. However poor sleepers and smokers detected an improvement in their sleep pattern with valerian over placebo. This was determined by subjective assessment, indicating a reduction in sleep latency and reduced number of night wakings. Attempts to collect objective data via an EEG study on the effects of the same preparation did not produce statistically significant results.
A smaller study (n3D18) compared placebo to two different strengths of valerian (450mg and 900mg) in young healthy volunteers who have no major sleep disturbances.2 This study found, on both subjective assessment and objective measurement, that the valerian preparations reduced sleep latency and waking time after sleep onset. Night time motor activity was also reduced, and there was no significant residual effect from the medication in the morning. There was no significant difference between the two strengths of valerian preparation, suggesting the effect was sufficient at the lower 450 mg dosage.
While other herbs have been used to promote sleep, there is little scientific data to support their activity. The two herbs discussed here are generally perceived to have a more gentle action than valerian, and to be appropriate for long-term, regular use.
Herbalists have traditionally used mild herbal sedative teas to promote sleep. Among the most common is chamomile (Chamomilla recucita), which is easily available from food stores and supermarkets. Long established as appropriate particularly for the very young and elderly, chamomile is effective for mild sleep disorders. The only noted side effect is an extremely rare contact allergy.3 Chamomile is commonly available as a tea rather than in tablets or capsules. In the absence of standardised preparations it is recommended that 1-2 tablespoons of dried herb is used in a tea, before bed.
A plant with similar mild actions to chamomile is linden flower, or lime tree flowers (Tilia europea). Traditionally a tea is recommended before bed to induce a state of relaxation and sleep, and tea bags are readily available in health food shops and supermarkets. To be effective for insomnia it is recommended that four tea bags be infused in a cup or hot water and allowed to steep for ten minutes.
Sue Evans
Lecturer, herbal medicine
School of Natural and Complementary Medicine
SCU
References
(1) PD Leathwood and F Chauffard Quantifying the effects of mild sedatives
Journal of Psychiatric Research 17:2 1982-3,115-122
(2) G Balderer and AA Borbely Effect of valerian on human sleep
Psychopharmacology 87 1985, 406-9.
(3) PR Bradley (ed) British Herbal Compendium Vol 1 British Herbal
Medicine Association Dorset 1992, 155
Discussion
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Valerian and Headaches Questions Chamomilla Valerian and St. John's Wort Valerian and hop extract ADHD Valium and Valerian chemo induced menopause Valerian Root |
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Valerian and Headaches Chesca Caz, legeia35@yahoo.com Posted 1/12/2000 12:41 PM Does Valerian have any effect on headaches? |
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Questions Patty, kellanu@aol.com Posted 17/11/2000 6:44 AM Did I miss something?? Where are the answers to the questions? Kathy, kcampuzano@americaii.com Posted 6/12/2000 5:33 AM I just started taking Valerian, is it ok to take during the day without making me tired. Or should I be taking something else for stress? |
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Chamomilla Janice, jhall@csopc.com Posted 15/11/2000 4:19 AM I am 28 years old and have never had a sleep disorder. But for the last month, I have averaged about 2 hours per night, if that much. I finally got so worn down and depressed that I went to see a doctor. He gave me Sonata (sleep medication) and Ativan (muscle relaxer). I tried the Sonata and it in deed did put me to sleep, but I would awaken several times during the night. After taking Sonata for five days, I tried to sleep on my own, but was unsuccessful. I purchased a tea that contains chomomilla, valerian root and kava-kava root. I fixed a cup about an hour before bed, and for five nights in a row, I have had a great night's sleep. My only concern is, 'Is this safe to consume every night, and will the effectiveness wear off?'. |
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Valerian and St. John's Wort T, tmariech@hotmail.com Posted 2/6/00 10:11 AM Can these be take together? I was thinking about taking valerian until the St. John's Wort kicked in. Is there any harm with a glass of wine with meals when taking this?
Natalia Kennedy, natalia_ma@hotmail.com Posted 24/11/2000 1:25 AM I would like to know whether valerian and St.John's Wort interfere with contraceptive pills. Hope you can help without me going to a doctor. Many thanks |
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Valerian and hop extract Sue Smit, sue@chello.nl Posted 26/4/00 7:08 PM For the last couple of weeks I've been waking after 3-4 hours' sleep and have been unable to get back to sleep. A friend recommended valerian so last night I took 2 Valdispert dragees (the dose is 1-3) containing 500 mg valerian extract and 170 mg hop extract. To my great dismay I couldn't get to sleep at all and lay awake for most of the night with increased heartbeat and sporadic tingling in my limbs. I have read that valerian doesn't work on people who are already fatigues - is this true? paul, bookbinder55@yahoo.com Posted 31/7/2000 9:33 AM i have been taking valerian and hops (alluna) and it works great!!! nora poulter, jpoulter@peoplepc.com Posted 18/11/2000 2:23 AM Is there any studies out there that talk about taking this herbal supplements during pregnancy? I might be pregnant and I've been taking alluna Your prompt reply is very much appreciated. Thanks, Nora Poulter |
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ADHD dom cutaia, dom5691@aol.com Posted 10/2/00 2:14 PM What is the opinion of using Valerian root for ADHD. Dom |
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Valium and Valerian Marcus Booth, mbooth@uslocalnet.net Posted 16/1/00 11:59 AM Someone told me that Valium is made or derived from the Valerian Root. Is there any connection between the herb and the drug? If so, what is it? Please reply! Thanks; Barb, jspen@ipa.net Posted 27/2/00 7:09 AM I have just taken my first 2 Valerian Root capsules. I have been down in my back for days, possibly because of a kidney infection; possibly because of lifting? I am having muscle spasms. So far it hasn't helped my back but my frayed nerves, because of a 15 yr. old pet on the verge of dying, have improved. Is Valerian Root addictive. My mother takes Valium, much to my dismay! I worry about her taking Valium. I do not want to get addicted to any product. |
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chemo induced menopause Madeleine Evansky, mevansky@gateway.net Posted 4/1/00 10:06 AM I suffer from hot flashes that have affected my sleep. I can be up as much as 7 hours during the night. Would you know of any homeopathic remedy that would be effective? Would Sepia 30 or Valerian tea help? If this or any other remedy would help please indicate how long it would take to work. |
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Valerian Root NG, n_goddess@hotmail.com Posted 28/8/99 8:46 PM ..just wanted to comment that since i have been taking Valerian Root..i have felt much better... in all aspects.. i was having such terrible menstral cramps.. and now they are not as bad... and Valerian Root calms me, and helps me get a better night's sleep...... Mary-Jane Downey, mdowney1@hme.com Posted 28/9/99 6:34 AM I have tried valerian for sleep and found it useful - re wakings during night - am wondering if it would be safe for my mother who has glaucoma? I would really appreciate any information you might have re valerian and any possible side effects re increasing pressure within the eye. Many thanks. Mary-Jane Downey Michelle Ameen, mameen@vicksburg.com Posted 29/9/99 6:11 AM I've used Valerian off and on for about a year now. I love it! It has helped me sleep which has enabled me to deal with the major stresses in my life. I am a college student and have recommended it to many people. i do have one question though.. is it ok for a woman who is breast feeding to take it? I have been dicussing valerian with her and that is her only concern towards taking it. Phyllis Cote, phylcote@hotmail.com Posted 11/10/99 10:44 PM I've taken valerian root before, but am now pregnant. Can anyone tell me..is it safe to take during pregnancy?
J. Chris , litlejazz@webtv.net Posted 31/10/99 11:35 PM I suffer from restless leg syndrome, sleep was impossible, Valerian has saved my sanity, I awaken refeshed and amazed at the really good sleep I have. I take 2 500 caps one hour before bedtime. I hope this info might help someone as it has me. J. Chris , litlejazz@webtv.net Posted 31/10/99 11:34 PM I suffer from restless leg syndrome, sleep was impossible, Valerian has saved my sanity, I awaken refeshed and amazed at the really good sleep I have. I take 2 500 caps one hour before bedtime. I hope this info might help someone as it has me. Aaron Smith, aaronovitch@planetarymotion.net Posted 25/12/99 10:00 AM I've been using (1000 mg./@night) Valerian & studing about it for Thirty years now. It's clearly remarkable for it nutritive value (I would clasify it Vit. V) and lack (I read absence) of side effects. Continue your study and you find so many reasons to use it. I'm particularly impressed with it's historical faddish & trendy runs in populaity in various cultures. Trish, York211@aol.com Posted 10/1/00 7:51 AM I not only use Valerian Root for nightime ,I use it for my everyday stress in my life . I use to walk around with butterflies in my stomache but Valerian Root solved that problem for me . TERRIE SHERWIN, enoB-T@webtv.net Posted 27/1/00 9:39 AM I JUST FOUND OU I'M 6 WEEKS PREGNANT SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS IT SAFE TO TAKE VALERIAN ROOT OR ANY OTHER DRUG FOR THAT MATTER. THIS IS MY FIRST BABY AD ANY INFO WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU TERRIE SHERWIN. ida tellez , riverrat726@webtv.net Posted 4/5/00 10:59 AM i take medication for heart failure,high blood this happened 6yrs ago am in desperate need of restful zzzz i als wake up every 2hrs or so have restlless legs does anyone like me take this,my dr gave Luvox but no help there thanks Darlene , vorrasi@frontiernet.net Posted 24/5/00 1:48 AM I have just started taking the Valerian Root about 1 week. I see on some of your comments that people are taking 2 500mg tablets. My Caplets are only 100Mg and I have been taking 2 at bed time for sleep. Can I take a higher amount than 2 caplets a night safely. CHRIS, reborn_90007@yahoo.com Posted 21/7/2000 4:39 AM I stumbled upon this web site and it seems that everyone has neglected to mention the fact that Valerian Root only works to its fullest potential when taken either on a full stomach or in the middle of a meal the rumor is says'Valerian Root only works for mild cases of insomnia...:NOT TRUE: The truth is that just like our body bieng all natural this root is effective no matter how strong the case of Insomnia is. Just remember take it either with a meal or after on a full stomch. Laurie , musesangel@aol.com Posted 26/10/2000 10:00 AM I have been told to take this for help with my panic attacks is this true? Tayva Martinez, tayva@247sk8mag.com Posted 14/11/2000 10:18 AM I was recently given a mixture of Valerian Root and Passiflora by my chiropractor after a visit due to a auto accident. I'm not too sure on this 'homeopathic' approach, and I was wonderin how safe these herbs really are, and will it provide relief for muscle spasms, severe muscle and joint pain, as well as sleeplessness and fidgeting, as my chiropractor claims? jen , perezk_1@msn.com Posted 15/11/2000 10:39 PM picture or images pleases Suzanne Scheer, soozann@webtv.net Posted 16/11/2000 12:56 PM I have been taking Valerian(Alluna) for about a week now and find myself sleeping better than ever,but worry about lomg term effects. I did not ask my doctor. Henry Sperber, Naturefan@att.net Posted 28/11/2000 8:45 AM Pleas send info. on where I can purchase Valerian as a sleap aid. joshua patton, patton@hughes.net Posted 30/11/2000 4:18 PM hello, I would like to know, if possible, what the toxicity levels are for valerian - the only problem I'm having with my own research is the different concentrations and ratios. thankyou. |
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