Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Alternate names

• All-heal
• Garden heliotrope
• Baldarian

Native to

• Europe
• Asia

Medicinal parts used

• Roots
• Rhizomes

Uses

• Sleep disorders and anxiety (evidence is mixed)
• Headaches
• Depression
• Anxiety

How it works

• It is believed that valerian works in ways similar to but weaker than the benzodiazepine class of drugs—both increase the body’s supply of a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
• Valerian may increase GABA production, decrease its reabsorption, and/or interfere with its breakdown

Side effects and warnings

• Is generally regarded as safe for short periods of time (ie, 4–6 weeks)
• Has the following side effects:

Headache
Muscle spasm
Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Gastric distress
Sleeplessness
Confusion

• Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation
• Avoid taking with drugs that cause sleepiness, such as:

Tegretol®
Dilantin®
Phenobarbital®
Xanax®
Ativan®
Valium®
Sonata®
Ambien®
Tricylic antidepressants

• Avoid taking with drugs that are metabolized in the liver
• Do not take with:

Catnip
Hops
Kava kava
St. John’s wort

• Do not take with alcohol

Dosage

• Usual recommended dosage of valerian root extract for insomnia: 400–900 milligrams (mg)/day

References and recommended readings

MedlinePlus. Valerian.
Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/870.html.
Accessed March 31, 2011.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Valerian.
Available at: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/valerian/.
Accessed March 31, 2011.

University of Maryland Medical Center. Valerian.
Available at: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/valerian-000279.htm.
Accessed March 31, 2011.

Review Date 5/11
G-1683