Valerian Purchase & Information

Alternative Names

Amantilla, Baldrian, Baldrianwurzel, Belgium Valerian, Common Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Garden Valerian, Grande Valériane, Guérit Tout, Herbe à la Femme Meurtrie, Herbe aux Chats, Herbe aux Coupures, Herbe de Notre-Dame, Herbe de Saint-Georges, Herbe du Loup, Indian Valerian, Mexican Valerian, Pacific Valerian, Rhizome de Valériane, Tagar, Tagar-Ganthoda, Tagara, Valeriana, Valeriana Pseudofficinalis, Valeriana Rhizome, Valerianae Radix, Valeriane, Valériane, Valériane à Petites Feuilles, Valériane Africaine, Valériane Celtique, Valériane Commune, Valériane de Belgique, Valériane des Collines, Valériane Dioïque, Valériane du Jardin, Valériane Indienne, Valériane Mexicaine, Valériane Officinale, Valériane Sauvage CAUTION: Please refer to separate listing for Red-Spur Valerian.

Scientific Name

Valeriana Officinalis

Why Do People Use Valerian?

Oral preparations of Valeriana officinalis (Valerian), like valerian powder, are used for the treatment of dyssomnia, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness disorders, infantile convulsions, depression, epilepsy, mild tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It can also provide relief from joint and muscle pain and conditions referred to psychological stress and anxiety including hysterical states, nervous asthma, hypochondria, excitability, migraine, headaches and stomach upset. Valerian powder is also used for menstrual irregularities, such as cramps, and symptoms of menopause, such as anxiety and hot flashes. Topically - Valerian powder is added to the bathing water for sleep disorders and restlessness. In Manufacturing Activities - The essential oil and extracts are used as flavoring agent in various beverages and food items.

Is It Safe To Use?

Likely Safe - Oral and appropriate (short-term) consumption of valerian is considered safe. Recent studies suggest that valerian is safe if used for up to 28 days for medicinal purposes. However, there is no information about the long term safety of valerian. Possibly Safe for Children - Oral and appropriate (short-term) usage of Valeriana officinalis is thought to be safe for infants for age up to 4 - 8 weeks. Avoid During Pregnancy & Lactation - Breastfeeding and pregnant women should avoid oral or topical usage of valerian because there is lack of authentic information regarding its safety.

How Effective Is Valerian?

Valerian powder is thought to be effective following condition: • nsomnia There is limited information regarding the effectiveness of Valeriana officinalis for following conditions: • Anxiety • Dyssomnia

How Valerian Works?

The most effective parts of Valeriana officinalis are the rhizome and root. Valerian is thought to have anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant and antispasmodic effects. Valerian may also have hypotensive activity. The pharmacological impacts of valerian have generally been credited to baldrinals, valepotriates (iridoid esters), monoterpenes, volatile oils and sesquiterpenes constituents. The essential monoterpene is borneol and the essential sesquiterpenes are valeranone, valerenic acid and kessel glycol. Other possible active constituents are hesperidin, flavonoids 6-methylapigenin and linarin. Some extracts of valerian are standardized based on the valerenic acid constituent. These extracts contain valerenic acid, ranging between 0.25- 1%. The rhizomes and root part of valerian can differ in terms of constituents. Also, other types of valerian can have an alternate constituent profile. Valepotriate constituents have spasmolytic and sedative-hypnotic effects. Valepotriates have also been demonstrated to lessen benzodiazepine withdrawal in animal models, by binding to dopamine receptors. The valepotriates may act as pro-drugs. They are thought to quickly break down to homobaldrinal in the intestine after ingestion. Valepotriates are insecure and quickly decompose in acid or alkaline situations and at high temperatures. High dose maybe toxic. The valerian flavonoid constituents also appear to have a part in the sedative-hypnotic impacts of valerian powder. The 6-methylapigenin constituent binds the benzodiazepine site and has anxiolytic impacts. Each of the linarin and hesperidin also has narcotic impacts. These narcotic impacts are increased when joined with valerenic acid.

What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Valerian?

Valeriana officinalis generally has no severe side effect. Adverse effects reported in clinical studies include gastrointestinal upset, headache, excitability, mental dullness, cardiac disturbances, uneasiness and insomnia. In addition, it may cause vivid dreams, dry mouth and morning drowsiness. Oral intake of valerian extract in dosages up to 1800 mg does not seem to alter psychomotor or mood performance. Valerian does not normally have a negative effect on sharpness, reaction time and focus the morning after oral usage, but this may infrequently happen. There is little information with respect to valerian overdose. In one individual, use of 20 times the typical quantity led to tight chest, fatigue, tremor of the hand and foot and abdominal cramping. Benzodiazepine-like withdrawal side effects may occur when treatment is ceased. Patients should decrease the dosages gradually after extended utilization. There have been a few case report of hepatotoxicity related with the utilization of a multi-ingredient containing valerian. There are chances that these preparation may have been contaminated with hepatotoxic agents.

How Valerian Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?

Following are some herbs & supplements which may interact with Valeriana officinalis: • Herbs and Supplements with Sedative Properties

How Valerian Interacts With Drugs?

Following are some drugs that may interact with valerian powder: • Alcohol (Ethanol) • Alprazolam (Xanax) • Benzodiazepines • Cytochrome Substrates

How Valerian Interacts With Foods?

Following are food item(s) that may show interaction with Valeriana officinalis: • Alcohol

How Valerian Interacts With Lab Tests?

Not known.

How Valerian Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?

Following are diseases/condition that may interact with valerian powder: • Surgery

What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Valerian?

ORAL For insomnia treatment, use extract of valerian in a dose of 400 to 900 mg, up to two hours before going to sleep for up to 28 days. Valerian extract in a dose up to 300 to 450 mg every day in three divided doses has also been used. 120 mg valerian extract along with 80 mg of lemon balm extract has been safely used thrice every day for up to 30 days. Multi ingredient product containing 187 mg of valerian extract along 41.9 mg of hops extract per tablet, two tablets at sleep time for 28 days has also been used. Valerian should be used from half hour to two hours before going to sleep. For children suffering from dyssomnia, a particular extract made of multi ingredient product with 160 mg valerian root extract along with 80 mg of lemon balm leaves extract (Euvegal Forte, Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals) should be consumed in a dose of 1 to 2 tablets, 1-2 times every day. Some valerian products are standardized based on the valerenic acid constituent. Various clinical experiments do not specify the valerenic acid content of the valerian extracts utilized. But some clinical experiments used a valerian extract standardized to contain 1% valerenic acid.

Comments

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General Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.