Valerian (Valerian officinalis): Benefits, Uses, Safety and Dosage

Valerian, also known as garden valerian, heliotrope, all-heal, setwall, and vandal root, is an herb belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae. It is native to Europe and North Asia in damp temperate environments. It is currently grown in Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, Ukraine, Canada, China, parts of Japan, and Australia.

Valerian has found various uses as follows:

• Improving sleep quality and managing insomnia
• Relieving symptoms of anxiety, stress and compulsive behaviors
• Relieving menstrual pain
• Improving symptoms of restless leg syndrome
• Alleviating symptoms of menopause like hot flashes

Jump to section

• Medical Uses and ethnopharmacological profile
• Safety and Dosing profile
• Valerian description and composition
• Valerian cultivation, harvesting and storage

Medical Uses and ethnopharmacological profile of Valerian

Traditional Uses

It was used as a diuretic, especially in liver disorders, to manage insomnia by promoting sleep; and as an antispasmodic agent in trembling lips, falling sickness, cramps, and heart palpitations. It was used in wound care and to treat colic and cough. It was also used to treat PTSD (shell shock) after World War 1, hysteria, and as an emmenagogue in women.

Clinical Uses and Research

Generalized anxiety disorder: Root puff extract at a 150 mg daily dose for 4 weeks reduced Hamilton anxiety scores with comparable activity to diazepam at 2.5 mg. It acted as an anxiolytic by regulation of the serotonin receptor and modulation of the HPA axis. This was through the action of valerate and dihydrovalerate.

Acute social stress: Standardized root extract at doses of 600 and 900 mg blunted blood pressure and heart rate spikes during stressful tasks. Volatile compounds and valerianic acid sympathetic suppression and attenuation of the HPA axis.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Aqueous/ethanolic extract administered at 760 mg daily for 8 weeks achieved a decrease in the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale score by up to 45%. Valerenic acids acted via inhibition of glutamate.

Insomnia: Root aqueous/ethanolic extract (70% V/V) at a single dose of 400 mg or 600 mg for 28 days achieved a 37% reduction in sleep latency comparable to oxazepam 6 mg, as affirmed by an increase in Garsia sleep scores. Valerenic acids increased levels of synaptic GABA by inhibiting its reuptake or preventing its endogenous breakdown.

Primary dysmenorrhea: Root powder extract given at 255 mg thrice daily for 3 days at the start of menstruation recorded a decrease in pain intensity scores. Valeranone acted by antagonizing L-type calcium channels in uterine smooth muscles, inhibiting the action of prostaglandin, thus acting as a spasmolytic. (Mirabi 2011)

In postmenopausal women, a root 2-piece capsule taken as 530 mg twice daily for 8 weeks reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes. Phytoestrogens and valerianic acid elicited a thermoregulatory action via modulation of the serotonin receptors.

In Vivo Uses and Research

Anticonvulsant: In a mouse model, root essential oil at an oral dose of 50-199 mg/kg delayed the onset of picrotoxin-induced seizures and reduced seizure-related mortality. Valtrate and valerenone modulated voltage-gated channels to stabilize neuronal membranes. (Sridharan 2015)

ADHD: In rats with ADHD, root ethanol/aqueous (70%) administered at 6-12 mg/kg for one week achieved a reduction in locomotor activity and exploratory restlessness and improved focus. Valerenal and valerenic acid altered dopamine and norepinephrine turnover in the prefrontal cortex.

Depression: In a mouse model, root dichloromethane extract given between 10 and 20 mg/kg for 14 days elicited a reduction in immobility time during forced swim tests. Sesquiterpenoids increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in the hippocampus.

In Vitro Uses and Research

Antimicrobial: In S. aureus, C. albicans, Bacillus subtilis, and Microsporum canis, research, when exposed to crude methanolic extract, witnessed microbe inhibition. Terpenes and essential oils caused cell leakages and eventually death through altering bacterial/ergosterol membrane permeability. (Udgire 2011)

Safety and Dosing Profile of Valerian

Forms and Dosing

Capsules and tablets: 400-600mg

Tincture: (1:1/1:5) 2-4 ml

Infusion/tea: 2-3 grams in 150-250 ml up to thrice a day

Powders: 2-9 grams dried root

Baths : 100 grams root in bath

• Sleep improvement- 300-600 mg daily

• Anxiety- 400-600mg up to thrice a day or 100 mg single dose (preoperative anxiety)
• Menopause- 225 mg thrice a day
• Dysmenorrhea- 255- 375 up to thrice a day in cycles
• Post-surgery cognition- 530 mg twice a day
• Restless leg syndrome- 800 mg nightly
• OCD symptoms- 850 mg a day
• Mood and fatigue in cancer patients(adjunct)- 450 mg at night

Note: The maximum upper limit in a day is 1800, not to be exceeded daily. Valerian should not be taken consistently for more than 4 weeks.

Interactions

• Sedatives and opioids- may lead to excessive drowsiness
• Anesthesia- may prolong effects
• Statins and certain antifungals/antihistamines- may increase bioavailability
• Do not mix with passionflower, skullcap, or St. John’s wort.

Side effects

• Hangover-like effects (headaches, dizziness)
• Nausea, cramping and diarrhea
• Paradoxical restlessness, insomnia or anxiety
• Vivid dream or night tremors

Contraindications

• Pregnancy and lactation
• Children under 3 years
• People with liver disease
• 2 weeks before surgery