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Valerian
Description:
Valerian is found in Europe and Asia, and prefers damp places and swamp grounds. It is a perennial plant with a hollow, angular, furrowed, pale-green stem. Valerian grows from two to four feet in height. It bears opposite, pinnate leaves having 7 to 25 lanceolate, sharply pointed leaflets. Small, white or pink flowers grow in terminal clusters from June to August. The fruit is a pale brown capsule, oblong-ovate, containing a single seed. The medicinal part is the rootstock.
Properties & Uses:
Antispasmodic - an agent which relieves or prevents spasms, usually of the smooth muscles. Barbiturates and valerian are examples of antispasmodics.
Calmative - a substance that has a soothing or sedative effect.
Carminative - an agent which assists in expelling gas from the intestines.
Hypnotics form a class of drugs which induce sleep when sleeplessness is not due to a stimulus, such as pain or itching. Hypnotic drugs are closely related to sedatives. A single drug may possess both sedative and hypnotic qualities. Agents classified as sedatives and hypnotics have a common mode of action: they induce a nonselective, reversible decrease in central nervous system activity. Examples of drugs in this class include diazepam, mephobarbital and chloral hydrate.
Nervine - a substance which quells nervousness and irritability, either through depression or stimulation of the central nervous system.
Stomachic - a substance which excites, strengthens and tones the stomach.
Valerian is a strong nervine helpful for insomnia. It contains an essential oil and alkaloids which combine to produce a sedative effect. It can be used as a tranquilizer, and will leave one feeling refreshed rather than sluggish. It is safe and non-narcotic and has been recommended for anxiety. Valerian is commonly used with other herbs for nervous tension, and is usually recommended for short term use, as prolonged use can cause mental depression. It is seldom recommended for small children.
Valerian root has been used for centuries to calm nervous disorders. Scientific experiments conducted with laboratory animals in West Germany have demonstrated that valerian root corrects muscle spasms and tremors, reduces excitement and irritability, lowers high blood pressure, and calms the central nervous system.
Valerian has CNS-depressant activities and antispasmodic and equalizing effects. The valepotriates are chiefly responsible for the central nervous system depressant and antispasmodic effects in laboratory animals. In the human body, valepotriates calm and excite nerves and reduce seizures. Valerian lowers blood pressures in laboratory animals. Valerian lowers blood pressure in laboratory animals and protects against liver cell deterioration. In addition, it is antibacterial, especially against gram-positive bacteria (due to the alkaloids) and an anti-diuretic. An ethanol extract of valerian has anti-dandruff properties. Valeric acid emits a disagreeable odor.
Valerian is sometimes used as a substitute for the synthetic prescription drug, Valium. The side effects from both differ drastically; if too many valerian capsules (10 to 12) are ingested, it will only produce a migraine headache, whereas if that many Valium are taken it can lead to coma and death. The root tea can also be used for treating numbness due to rheumatic conditions, colds, hypothermia, fatigue, and, externally as a wash for sores and pimples.
Toxicity Levels:
Long term ingestion of the dried root of valerian in large, chronic doses can result in melancholy and depression, very similar to brominism. The valepotriates in valerian root infiltrate brain tissue and the central nervous system, particularly the spinal column with its many important nerves. This brings about a strong sedative effect on the entire body.
Valerian is known as a safe, nontoxic herbal sedative, usually recommended for short term use. Prolonged or excessive use can cause mental depression. Valerian is usually not recommended for small children.
Recommended Dietary Allowances:
For insomnia, some doctors suggest 300–500 mg of a concentrated valerian root herbal extract (standardized to at least 0.5% volatile oils) in capsules or tablets 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.7 Non-standardized dried root products, 1.5 to 2 grams 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime, may also be used. As an alcohol-based tincture, 5 ml can be taken before bedtime. Combination products with lemon balm, hops, passion flower, and scullcap can also be used.
Food Sources:
Although valerian grows wild all over Europe, most of the valerian used for medicinal extracts is cultivated. The root is used in herbal medicine preparations.
Side Effects & Interactions:
Research suggests that valerian does not impair one’s ability to drive or operate machinery.8 There is one case reported of a man experiencing severe cardiac symptoms that may have been due to withdrawing from valerian. This man abruptly discontinued taking valerian, after having used 5–20 times the recommended amount “for many years”.9 However, when taken at recommended amounts, valerian supplementation does not lead to addiction or dependence. In the case of an 18-year old college student who tried to kill herself by ingesting approximately 20,000 mg of valerian root (approximately 40–50 times the recommended amount), the only symptoms reported were fatigue, abdominal pain, and a mild tremor of the hands and feet.10 Valerian does not appear to impair reaction time, alertness, or concentration the morning after use.11 There are no known reasons to avoid valerian during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with valerian.
References:
1. Mennini T, Bernasconi P, Bombardelli E, et al. In vitro study on the interaction of extracts and pure compounds from Valeriana officinalis roots with GABA, benzodiazepine and barbiturate receptors. Fitoterapia 1993;64:291–300.
2. Kohnen R, Oswald WD. The effects of valerian, propranolol and their combination on activation performance and mood of healthy volunteers under social stress conditions. Pharmacopsychiatry 1988;21:447–8.
3. Leathwood PD, Chauffard F, Heck E, Munoz-Box R. Aqueous extract of valerian root (Valeriana officinalis L) improves sleep quality in man. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1982;17:65–71.
4. Leathwood PD, Chauffard F. Aqueous extract of valerian reduces latency to fall asleep in man. Planta Med 1985;51:144–8.
5. Dressing H, Riemann D, Low H, et al. Insomnia: Are valerian/balm combination of equal value to benzodiazepine? Therapiewoche 1992;42:726–36 [in German].
6. Dressing H, Köhler S, Müller WE. Improvement of sleep quality with a high-dose valerian/lemon balm preparation: A placebo-controlled double-blind study. Psychopharmakotherapie 1996;6:32–40.
7. Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996, 173–8.
8. Albrecht M, Berger W, Laux P, et al. Psychopharmaceuticals and safety in traffic. Zeits Allegmeinmed 1995;71:1215–21 [in German].
9. Garges HP, Varia I, Doraiswamy PM. Cardiac complications and delirium associated with valerian root withdrawal. JAMA 1998;280:1566–7.
10. Wiley LB, Mady SP, Cobaugh DJ, Wax PM. Valerian overdose: A case report. Vet Human Toxicol 1995;37:364–5.
11. Kuhlmann J, Berger W, Podzuweit H, Schmidt U. The influence of valerian treatment on “reaction time, alertness and concentration” in volunteers. Pharmacopsychiatry 1999;32:235–41.