Valerian (Valerianae radix)
What does Valerian do?
Valerian is a medicinal herb that some people take to relieve restlessness and anxiety and to treat sleeping disorders and nervous conditions. Valerian may help relieve associated problems s.c. as headaches, cramping, heart palpitations, and lack of concentration. It can be taken in capsules, pills, teas, tinctures, and externally as a bath additive.
Should my health care professional be advised before I take Valerian?
They should be consulted first if you have any of these conditions, as Valerian usage may be contraindicated: If you are taking narcotics If you are taking sedatives or sleeping medicines If you are taking pentobarbital (volatile components may increase sleeping time)
They should be consulted first if you have any of these conditions, as Valerian usage may be contraindicated: If you are taking narcotics If you are taking sedatives or sleeping medicines If you are taking pentobarbital (volatile components may increase sleeping time)
Are there other times my health care professional needs to be advised before I take Valerian?
They should be consulted first if you are: Pregnant or trying to get pregnant Breast-feeding If you plan to administer this herb to a child
They should be consulted first if you are: Pregnant or trying to get pregnant Breast-feeding If you plan to administer this herb to a child
How should I take this herb?
Take Valerian capsules or tablets by mouth. Swallow the capsules with a large drink of water. For the best bioavailability and if you have a sensitive stomach, it is often recommended that you take Valerian as a tincture, infusion, or tea. The fresh herb is thought by some to be the most potent form of the herb as the bio-constituent Valepotriates (which have tranquilizing and sedative effects) are unstable and can be lost in processing. Though there is a toxic potential to Valepotriates they are thought to be minimal. You can take Valerian with or without food.
Take Valerian capsules or tablets by mouth. Swallow the capsules with a large drink of water. For the best bioavailability and if you have a sensitive stomach, it is often recommended that you take Valerian as a tincture, infusion, or tea. The fresh herb is thought by some to be the most potent form of the herb as the bio-constituent Valepotriates (which have tranquilizing and sedative effects) are unstable and can be lost in processing. Though there is a toxic potential to Valepotriates they are thought to be minimal. You can take Valerian with or without food.
What should the dosage be?
Dosages are usually based on the severity of the symptoms and the type of problem. Generally: Infusion: 2-3grams drug per cup boiling water, 1-2x/day Juice -fresh root - 1 to 3 tablespoons day Tincture: 0.5 to 1 teaspoon, 1-2x/day Extracts- equivalent to 2-3 grams, 1-2x/day
Dosages are usually based on the severity of the symptoms and the type of problem. Generally: Infusion: 2-3grams drug per cup boiling water, 1-2x/day Juice -fresh root - 1 to 3 tablespoons day Tincture: 0.5 to 1 teaspoon, 1-2x/day Extracts- equivalent to 2-3 grams, 1-2x/day
What side effects may I notice from taking Valerian?
If you experience any of these side effects, stop usage immediately and report them to your health care professional. Feelings of discomfort or separateness from yourself and surroundings Long term use can cause: Headaches Restlessness Excitability Sleeplessness Difficulty waking up in the morning (grogginess) Mydriasis Disorders of cardiac functions Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (stop usage and report it to your health care professional if they are continuing or bothersome): Contact allergies (rare) Gastrointestinal complaints Mild headaches
If you experience any of these side effects, stop usage immediately and report them to your health care professional. Feelings of discomfort or separateness from yourself and surroundings Long term use can cause: Headaches Restlessness Excitability Sleeplessness Difficulty waking up in the morning (grogginess) Mydriasis Disorders of cardiac functions Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (stop usage and report it to your health care professional if they are continuing or bothersome): Contact allergies (rare) Gastrointestinal complaints Mild headaches
What do I need to watch out for with Valerian?
Read labels carefully before purchasing. There have been reported cases of herbal products being sold that did not contain active ingredients (the herbs active constituents) needed to be of any therapeutic value. Buying a standardized product when purchasing tinctures, capsule, or tablets may reduce the possibility of this occurrence. Look also for products that are clearly labeled with the ingredients contained and amounts. If harvesting this herb in the wild, care should be taken to avoid collecting the roots of Veratrum (Hellebore)
Read labels carefully before purchasing. There have been reported cases of herbal products being sold that did not contain active ingredients (the herbs active constituents) needed to be of any therapeutic value. Buying a standardized product when purchasing tinctures, capsule, or tablets may reduce the possibility of this occurrence. Look also for products that are clearly labeled with the ingredients contained and amounts. If harvesting this herb in the wild, care should be taken to avoid collecting the roots of Veratrum (Hellebore)
Where can I keep my herbal product?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F). The raw herb, tinctures or infusions should be stored in airtight, dry, and light resistant containers. If there is an expiration date listed on the herbal product, throw away the unused portion after the expiration date. Raw herbs, tinctures, extracts, etc all have varying life spans. Generally, an herbal product will have the longest life span when it has been extracted in alcohol.
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F). The raw herb, tinctures or infusions should be stored in airtight, dry, and light resistant containers. If there is an expiration date listed on the herbal product, throw away the unused portion after the expiration date. Raw herbs, tinctures, extracts, etc all have varying life spans. Generally, an herbal product will have the longest life span when it has been extracted in alcohol.
Can you tell me a little more about Valerian?
Valerian is originally indigenous to Europe and some parts of Asia. There are many various species. Its use as a sedative goes as far back as the middle ages where it was utilized as a treatment for epilepsy. Today it is cultivated worldwide. Valerian is a perennial herb that perfers to grow in damp, grassy, temperate locations. It has a massive root system. The rhizome is short and cylindrical. The stem is erect, angular, furrowed and usually unbranched. Its leaves are odd-pinnate with 7 to 13 ovate to lanceolate, indented-dentate leaflets. The lower ones petiolate and the upper sessile and clasping. It has androgynous, funnel shaped flowers that are pink to white. The fruit is ovate-oblong, achene, and yellow with a white papus formed from the calyx. The root is harvested in the fall.
Valerian is originally indigenous to Europe and some parts of Asia. There are many various species. Its use as a sedative goes as far back as the middle ages where it was utilized as a treatment for epilepsy. Today it is cultivated worldwide. Valerian is a perennial herb that perfers to grow in damp, grassy, temperate locations. It has a massive root system. The rhizome is short and cylindrical. The stem is erect, angular, furrowed and usually unbranched. Its leaves are odd-pinnate with 7 to 13 ovate to lanceolate, indented-dentate leaflets. The lower ones petiolate and the upper sessile and clasping. It has androgynous, funnel shaped flowers that are pink to white. The fruit is ovate-oblong, achene, and yellow with a white papus formed from the calyx. The root is harvested in the fall.
What are the actions that have been associated with the herb?
Generally, Valerian is thought to act as a sedative, anti-spasmodic, hypnotic, relaxant, and the dried root as an antiseptic.
Generally, Valerian is thought to act as a sedative, anti-spasmodic, hypnotic, relaxant, and the dried root as an antiseptic.
General Safety Advisory
~The information in this document does not replace medical advice.
~Before taking an herb or a botanical, consult a doctor or other health care provider
-especially if you have a disease or medical condition,take any medications, are pregnant or nursing, or are planning to have an operation.
~Before treating a child with an herb or a botanical, consult with a doctor or other health care provider.
~Like drugs, herbal or botanical preparations have chemical and biological activity. They may have side effects. They may interact with certain medications. These interactions can cause problems and can even be dangerous.
~If you have any unexpected reactions to an herbal or a botanical preparation, inform your doctor or other health care provider.
