Valerian: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Valerian of the hills, small-leaved valerian, St. George's herb
Scientific name(s)
Valeriana officinalis
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Flavonoids
valepotriates
Glutamine
GABA
Valerenic acid
Valtrate
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Sleep disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Most research shows that oral intake of valerian modestly reduces the time to fall asleep and improves subjective sleep quality. nnThe greatest benefit is generally observed in patients who take 400 - 900 mg of valerian extract up to 2 hours before bedtime. nnMeta-analyses show that taking valerian significantly increases the chances of having improved sleep quality by 37% to 80% compared with placebo.nn
Posologie
Oral: root
400 - 900 mg
dry extract
Synergies
Critical Evaluation of the Effect of Valerian Extract on Sleep Structure and Sleep Quality
European Union herbal monograph on Valeriana officinalis L., radix
Effect of Valerian in Preventing Neuropsychiatric Adverse Effects of Efavirenz in HIV-Positive Patients: A Pilot Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Sleep Improving Effects of a Single Dose Administration of a Valerian/Hops Fluid Extract - A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled sleep-EEG Study in a Parallel Design Using Electrohypnograms
Valerian/lemon Balm Use for Sleep Disorders During Menopause
Aqueous extract of valerian reduces latency to fall asleep in man.
Inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry juice: potential use for the treatment of urinary tract infections
A Televised, Web-Based Randomized Trial of an Herbal Remedy (Valerian) for Insomnia
Effectiveness of Valerian on Insomnia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials
Valerian for Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Menopause ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical research shows that taking 225 mg of ground valerian root three times a day for 8 weeks reduces the severity of hot flashes by 47% and their frequency by 39% compared with baseline in menopausal women. Other clinical research shows that taking a valerian root extract at 530 mg twice a day for two months reduces the severity of hot flashes in 80% of patients and reduces the frequency of hot flashes by 49% compared with baseline in menopausal women. In both studies, these improvements were significant compared with placebo treatment, which did not improve these outcomes.
Posologie
Oral: root
675 - 1060 mg
8 - weeks
dry extract
Valerian/lemon Balm Use for Sleep Disorders During Menopause
The Effects of Valerian Root on Hot Flashes in Menopausal Women
The Effect of Valerian on the Severity and Frequency of Hot Flashes: A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial
Anxiety ✪✪✪✪✪
There is conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of valerian for anxiety. A preliminary study shows that taking 100 mg of valerian three times a day for 21 days reduces anxiety in patients with mild anxiety. Preliminary clinical research has also reported that taking 1 to 2 capsules of 50 mg valerian root and 100 mg St. John's wort twice a day for 2 weeks improves symptoms of moderately severe anxiety more effectively than diazepam 2 mg twice a day. However, other preliminary research seems to suggest that valerian extract standardized to valepotriates or valerenic acid has no beneficial effect on generalized anxiety disorder. These inconsistencies may be due to the doses or to the concentration of valepotriates or valerenic acids contained in the valerian preparation.
Posologie
Orally: root
100 - 300 mg
21 - days
dry extract
Synergies
Stress ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary research suggests that taking 600 mg of valerian for 7 days before participating in a mental stress session significantly attenuates the corresponding increases in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, or feeling of pressure. nnOther research suggests that taking 100 mg of valerian before a verbal test in front of an audience reduces subjective feelings of anxiety compared with placebo. However, this study was not able to determine whether the difference between groups was statistically significant.nn
Posologie
Oral: root
100 - 600 mg
dry extract
The Effects of Valerian, Propranolol, and Their Combination on Activation, Performance, and Mood of Healthy Volunteers Under Social Stress Conditions
European Union herbal monograph on Valeriana officinalis L., radix
Effect of Kava and Valerian on Human Physiological and Psychological Responses to Mental Stress Assessed Under Laboratory Conditions
Nervousness ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA recognizes as established the efficacy of valerian in relieving mild nervous tension and sleep disturbances.nn
Posologie
Oral: root
576 - 1350 mg
dry extract
Dysmenorrhea ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research suggests that taking 255 mg of powdered valerian root three times a day for two menstrual cycles significantly reduces the duration of severe menstrual pain and the need to use additional analgesics.nn
Posologie
Oral: root
765 mg
dry extract
Properties
Sedative
Valerenic acid and its derivatives produce a mild sedative effect when administered orally to animals. The sedative and hypnotic action is gradual (the effect may appear only after 14 days) and is thought to be enhanced by a lignan (hydroxypinoresinol), which binds to benzodiazepine receptors and may act synergistically with valerenic acid and valepotriates.nnTwo flavonoids, hesperidin and linarin, would also contribute to valerian's sedative and hypnotic effects, acting synergistically with 6-methylapigenin and valerenic acid.nnSeveral clinical trials have shown that valerian improves sleep quality and reduces the time to fall asleep.nn
Usages associés
Anxiolytic
The anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and sedative effects of valerian are likely due to the action of its constituents on several receptors, notably those for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), adenosine A1, and serotonin (5-HT1). Valerenic acid, one of its components, acts as a GABA agonist.nnValerian may increase GABA concentrations, thereby reducing central nervous system activity, and bind to GABA-A receptors. It could also influence sleep regulation via adenosine and serotonin receptors.nnStudies suggest that valerian may also have antidepressant effects, possibly related to GABAergic mechanisms or binding to serotonin receptors (5-HT1A).nn
Usages associés
Antispasmodic
This antispasmodic action is due primarily to valepotriates. These compounds act on centers of the central nervous system and cause relaxation of smooth muscle by modulating calcium entry into cells or by binding directly to smooth muscle.nn
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults aged 12 years and older: 400 mg - 600 mg
- Single dose: 400-600 mg of dry extract for the relief of mild nervous tension up to 3 times per day. - Dry extract (DER 4-6:1), extraction solvent: water, single dose of 420 mg for the relief of mild symptoms of mental stress up to 3 times per day. - Dry extract (DER 4-7:1), extraction solvent: methanol 45% (V/V), single dose of 144-288 mg for the relief of mild symptoms of mental stress up to 4 times per day. To promote sleep, a single dose 1 hour before bedtime, with an additional dose earlier in the evening if necessary. - Dry extract (DER 5.3-6.6:1), extraction solvent: methanol 45% (m/m), single dose of 450 mg for the relief of mild symptoms of mental stress up to 3 times per day. To promote sleep, a single dose 1 hour before bedtime, with an additional dose earlier in the evening if necessary.
Interactions
Médicaments
Benzodiazepines: moderate interaction
Theoretically, concomitant use with benzodiazepines can lead to additive therapeutic and adverse effects. Some benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others.
Alprazolam: moderate interaction
Taking a valerian extract at 1000 mg per day (providing 10 mg of valerenic acid) appears to increase alprazolam levels by about 19%. This is most likely due to valerian's inhibitory effects on cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) (13014). Although this increase is statistically significant, it may not be clinically significant.
Cytochrome P450 3A4: moderate interaction
There is in vitro evidence that valerian may increase the metabolism of testosterone, a substrate of the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme, in human hepatocytes. However, other in vitro evidence shows that valerian inhibits the CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of dibenzylfluorescein and 7‑benzyloxyresorufin in solution. Clinical research suggests that valerian does not significantly inhibit CYP3A4 at relatively low doses of 375 mg per day, but has modest effects at higher doses of 1000 mg per day. Drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 include lovastatin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fexofenadine, triazolam, chemotherapeutic agents, and many others. Use valerian with caution or avoid it in patients taking these medications
Plantes ou autres actifs
Sedative: minor interaction
Using valerian with other herbs and supplements that have sedative properties may increase both therapeutic and unwanted effects. These products include calamus, California poppy, catnip, hops, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin, sage, SAMe, St. John's wort, and others.
Precautions
Children up to 12 years: avoid
Insufficient data.
Pregnant women: avoid
Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Surgery: avoid
Valerian has depressant effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Valerian could cause additive CNS depression when combined with anesthesia and other medications during and after surgery. It is advised to stop taking valerian at least two weeks before non-urgent surgical procedures.
