Valerian









Valerian


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
Valerian has a long history of use as a sedative and to help with anxiety. It has also been reported that valerian improves sleep quality, and may have benefit for individuals with stress, premenstrual syndrome, restless leg syndrome (RLS), and muscle spasms.
How does it work?
There are three distinct components in valerian, and each appears to contribute to the beneficial actions. Some have a direct sedative (calming) effect on the central nervous system (CNS) while some relax muscles in the gastrointestinal system. One specific chemical component inhibits the activity of an enzyme in the CNS which allows other chemicals to provide the calming or sedative effects.
How is it best taken?
  • Sedative:
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • Take 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
  • A schedule of 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off is recommended for maximum benefit.
  • Regular dosing:
  • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • A schedule of 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off is recommended for maximum benefit.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • Do not use in children 12 years of age or younger without approval from healthcare provider.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, and pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you know how this product affects you.
  • Use with caution if you are taking antidepressant medications.
  • Use caution if you have a seizure history. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • You may feel tired or sleepy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this natural product affects you.
  • Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, dizzy, or having blurred vision. Avoid driving, doing other tasks that requires you to be alert until you see how the product affects you.
What should I monitor?
  • Morning drowsiness. If yes, decrease amount of product taken.
  • Degree of drowsiness/sedation. Adjust the amount of natural product taken as needed. Talk with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Severe headache.
  • Too tired or sleepy.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Root
Dosage forms
Oral
Drug interactions
Alcohol, sedative/hypnotics, antidepressants, antianxiety agents, antihistamines (sedating), certain pain killers, central nervous system (CNS) depressants
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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