Valerian Root
Valerian, or Valeriana officinalis, a member of the Valerianaceae family, is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia and naturalized in North America. It has a distinctive odor that many people may find unpleasant, especially if consumed in capsule or liquid form. Other common names for Valerian include setwall, Valerianae radix, Baldrianwurzel, and phu. The genus Valerian includes over 250 species, but V. officinalis is the species most often used in the United States and Europe.
Preparations of valerian marketed as dietary supplements are made from its roots, underground stems, and horizontal stems. Dried roots of Valerian can be prepared as teas or tinctures, and dried plant materials and extracts are put into capsules or incorporated into tablets.
Since the time of ancient Greece and Rome, Valerian has been used a medicinal herb. Common uses for the herb, both historically and in modern day medicine include relief of nervousness, trembling, headaches and heart palpitations. During World War II, residents of Britain often used Valerian root to relieve the stress associated with bombing raids.
In addition to sleep disorders and anxiety, valerian has been used for gastrointestinal spasms and distress, epileptic seizures, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Many chemical constituents of valerian have been identified, but researchers are not yet clear on which may be responsible for its sleep-promoting effects in animals and in in vitro studies. It is likely that there is no single active compound and that valerian's effects result from multiple constituents acting synergistically. One possible mechanism of action that may be responsible for its natural sedative properties is by increasing the amount of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter) available in the synaptic cleft. Results from one study suggests that a valerian extract may cause GABA release from and block GABA reuptake into brain nerve ending.
A recent clinical trial involved patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The results of the study concluded that a majority of the patients involved reported lowered HAM-A (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) scores. In another study, where Valerian was combined with Kava Kava and tested against placebo, volunteers reported lowered levels of stress.
Valerian root is well known in helping to relieve stress, and may also reduce psychological reactivity during stressful situations, as well as significant reductions in stress severity.
It is important to note that Valerian Root is not a treatment option for anxiety disorders, insomnia or any other illness. As a dietary supplement, it can help to provide short-term relief for some individuals.
Although valerian has not been reported to interact with any drugs or to influence laboratory tests, this has not been rigorously studied. When combining Valerian root with a prescription drug, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider first.
**NOTE - Valerian root should not be taken as a treatment for Anxiety. Valerian root is a dietary supplement that can provide some level of emotional support, but only a qualified medical professional can diagnose and treat anxiety related disorder.
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Emotional Wellness Resources on the Web:
123 Feel Better Life Change System [123FeelBetter.net]
The Wellness Channel [TheWellnessChannel.us]
Health and Wellness Articles, Tips and Resources [InsightJournal.com]
Herbs and Vitamins for Anxiety [InsightJournal.com]
Alternative Medicines That Can Help [TheHealthCenter.info]
Anxiety Resource Center [InsightJournal.com]
Stress Resource Center [InsightJournal.com]
Depression Resource Center [InsightJournal.com]
Social Anxiety Guide to Emotional Wellness [NCHW]
Adapted with permission from The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). NIMH is a component of the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The resources in this section of our website are provided for informational purposes only. The Clarocet brand of products consists of nutritional dietary supplements that are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease or disorder.
