Valerian

Valerian is an herb. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia but also grows in North America. Medicine is made from the root.

Valerian is most commonly used for sleep disorders, especially the inability to sleep (insomnia). Valerian is also used orally for anxiety and psychological stress, but there is limited scientific research to support these uses.

In manufacturing, the extracts and oil made from valerian are used as flavoring in foods and beverages.

Valerian seems to act like a sedative on the brain and nervous system.

When taken by mouth: Valerian is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when used in medicinal amounts short-term. Valerian has been used with apparent safety in studies lasting up to one month. The safety of long-term use is unknown.

Valerian may cause headache, stomach upset, mental dullness, excitability, uneasiness, heart disturbances, and even insomnia in some people. A few people feel sluggish in the morning after taking valerian, especially at higher doses. Some people experience dry mouth or vivid dreams. It's best not to drive or operate dangerous machinery after taking valerian. The long-term safety of valerian is unknown. It might cause withdrawal symptoms when discontinued after long-term use. To avoid possible side effects when discontinuing valerian after long-term use, it's best to reduce the dose slowly over a week or two before stopping completely.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

• For insomnia:
• 400-900 mg valerian extract before bedtime for as long as 6 weeks, or
• 120 mg of valerian extract, with 80 mg of lemon balm extract before bedtime for up to 30 days, or
• 374-500 mg of valerian extract plus 83.8-120 mg of hops extract before bedtime for 2-4 weeks, or
• 300 mg of valerian extract, 80 mg of passionflower extract, and 30 mg of hops extract before bedtime for up to two weeks.
• Take valerian 30 minutes to 2 hours before bedtime.

All-Heal, 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 angustifolia, Valeriana edulis, Valeriana fauriei, Valeriana jatamansii, Valeriana officinalis, Valeriana Pseudofficinalis, Valeriana Rhizome, Valeriana sitchensis, Valeriana wallichii, 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.

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