Valerian

Generality

Botanical outline and description

Valerian (botanical name L. Valeriana officinalis - Family Valerianaceae) is a vigorous and perennial herbaceous plant that grows wild in damp and shady places, from the sea to the mountains, in central-northern Europe and northern Asia. It is also cultivated in European countries and in Japan.

The valerian flowering gives off a pleasant ethereal scent, which is particularly attractive for felines; from this characteristic comes the popular name " grass of the cats ".

Uses and active ingredients

The scientific term " Valeriana officianalis " derives from the Latin words valere (enjoy good health) and officinalis (to be used in the pharmaceutical workshop). Not surprisingly, the use of this plant seems to date back to the times of the Greeks and the Latins. Even today, valerian is cultivated in numerous countries of the world for medicinal purposes.

The drug consists of roots and rhizome, which contains numerous substances, including the valepotriati ( 0.5-1.2 %). These components are the basis of the phytotherapeutic properties of valerian. Unfortunately they are unstable compounds and degrade easily when subjected to heat, humidity or acid pH. This fragility would explain the inconstancy of the therapeutic effects of the drug.

Extracts and valerian oil are used as flavorings in food and beverages.

Indications

When to use valerian?

Valerian is commonly used as a sedative in sleep discomforts and disorders, but also in states of agitation. For this purpose, it is often combined with hops, lemon balm or other herbs that promote sleepiness

It is considered an alternative herbal remedy or a method of reduction / elimination from drug therapy (sleeping pills)

A further medical application of valerian is in psychosomatic conditions related to anxiety and psychological stress, such as:

Nervous asthma
Hysteria
Excitability
Hypochondria
Headache and migraine,
Stomach acidity and gastritis
Emotional diarrhea and nervous colitis

Some use valerian to reduce:

Depressive symptoms
Minor tremors
Epilepsy
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Muscular and joint pains
Menstrual cramps and symptoms associated with menopause (flushing, irritability, etc.).

Property

What benefits has valerian shown during the studies?

The usefulness of valerian is proven by some scientific studies, even if not all the insights have given positive results.

Valerian, thanks to the content of valepotriati, enjoys good calming properties, acting as a sedative on the brain and on the nervous system; in addition, it improves the quality of sleep in people who stop using drugs.

Some research suggests that valerian does not alleviate insomnia faster than synthetic drug remedies. However, to achieve a satisfactory result, continuous and systematic use (up to four weeks) may be necessary.

Other studies compare the effect of valerian to any placebo.

Experimental evidence for:

Anxiety
Depression
Restlessness
Menstrual disorders
Stress
Convulsions
Minor tremors
Epilepsy
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Muscular and joint pains
Headache
Stomach ache
Symptoms of menopause
Other conditions.

Doses and Mode of Use

How to use valerian?

In scientific research on the effects of valerian the following oral dosages have been studied in depth:

Regarding insomnia:

400-900 mg of valerian extract, 2 hours before going to sleep for 28 days
120 mg of valerian extract with 80 mg of lemon balm, 3 times a day for up to 30 days
187 mg of valerian extract with 41.9 mg of hop extract per tablet, 2 tablets for 28 days.

Valerian should be taken 30 minutes to 2 hours before bedtime.

Side effects

The valerian drug and its derivatives have very little acute toxicity.

Valerian is probably considered safe for most people when used in adequate and short-term medicinal quantities.

Clinical studies have considered the use of valerian for medicinal purposes to be safe over a period of 28 days and for over 12, 000 people. The safety of long-term use is unknown.

Some information suggests that valerian could be safe for 4-8 weeks even in children.

Nevertheless, in excessive doses and for prolonged use, it can cause:

Migraine
Insomnia
Excitability
Decrease in heart rate (bradycardia)
Increased blood pressure (hypertension).

Contraindications

When should valerian not be used?

Due to the absence of detailed information, it is advisable to avoid taking valerian in the event of:

Pregnancy
Feeding time

They must also avoid taking valerian:

People who are hypersensitive, that is, who experience great discomfort in the morning after taking valerian for sleep, especially at higher than normal doses.
Subjects undergoing certain drug therapies (see below) or under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Pharmacological Interactions

Which drugs or foods can modify the effect of valerian?

Valerian interacts with the following active ingredients:

Ethyl alcohol (alcohol): causing greater drowsiness and weakness
Sedatives: decreasing hepatic metabolism and increasing side effects such as drowsiness. For example:

Benzodiazepines: some are alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, midazolam, temazepam, triazolam, etc.
Depressive central nervous system: pentobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital, thiopental, fentanyl, morphine, propofol etc.

Drugs metabolised by the liver, due to the potential impairment of the processes performed by the cytochrome P450 3 ° 4 (CYP3A4).

Precautions for Use

What do you need to know before taking valerian?

The safety of long-term use of valerian is unknown.

After taking valerian, driving or using hazardous machinery is not recommended.

To avoid the occurrence of possible side effects due to the suspension of valerian, after prolonged use, it is advisable to gradually reduce the dose over a period of 7-14 days.

Valerian slows the efficiency of the central nervous system; therefore, in anticipation of a pharmacological anesthesia (for surgery), it is advisable to stop taking them at least two weeks in advance