Valerian Root Extract

• Ancient Greece and Rome: Used as a sedative and to relieve insomnia.
• Medieval Medicine: Prescribed for epilepsy, anxiety, and headaches.
• Traditional Medicine: Widely used for sleep disorders, nervousness, and muscle spasms.

• Valerenic Acids: Key compounds responsible for sedative effects.
• Iridoids: Valepotriates (e.g., isovaltrate) with anxiolytic properties.
• Sesquiterpenes: Acetoxyvalerenic acid.
• Flavonoids: Linarin, hesperidin.**
• Essential Oils:** Bornyl acetate, valerenal.
• Alkaloids: Chatinine, valerine.

• Sedative: Enhances GABA activity in the brain, promoting relaxation and sleep.
• Anxiolytic: Reduces anxiety and nervous tension.
• Antispasmodic: Relieves muscle cramps and spasms.
• Neuroprotective: Protects brain cells from oxidative stress.
• Adaptogenic: Supports stress resilience.

1. Improves Sleep Quality:

• Effect: Reduces the time taken to fall asleep and improves sleep quality.
• Key Study: A meta-analysis by Bent et al., 2006 supports Valerian's efficacy in managing insomnia.

2. Reduces Anxiety and Stress:

• Mechanism: Enhances the calming effect of GABA neurotransmitters.
• Study Reference: Research highlights its role in reducing symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

3. Relieves Menstrual Cramps:

• Effect: Acts as an antispasmodic to reduce uterine contractions.
• Supporting Study: Valerian demonstrated significant relief for dysmenorrhea in clinical trials.

4. Supports Restless Leg Syndrome:

• Use: Improves symptoms and sleep quality in individuals with RLS.
• Evidence: Studies indicate decreased muscle cramps and better sleep outcomes.

5. Neuroprotection:

• Effect: Reduces oxidative stress and may enhance cognitive health.
• Research Insight: Preclinical studies show promising results in neuroprotection.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data).
• Liver conditions (rare cases of liver toxicity).
• Children under 12 years (unless supervised by a healthcare provider).

• Mild gastrointestinal discomfort (e.g., nausea, diarrhea).
• Drowsiness or dizziness.
• Rare cases of headache or irritability with long-term use.

• Sedatives and CNS Depressants: May enhance the effects of benzodiazepines or barbiturates.
• Alcohol: Potentiates sedative effects, increasing drowsiness.
• Herbs: Avoid combining with other sedative herbs (e.g., kava, passionflower) without professional advice.

• A combination of valerian and lemon balm is effective in the treatment of restlessness and dyssomnia in children. 

• A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of two doses of a valerian preparation on the sleep, cognitive and psychomotor function of sleep-disturbed older adults. 

• A feasibility study of valerian extract for sleep disturbance in person with arthritis. 

• A randomized clinical trial of valerian fails to improve self-reported, polysomnographic, and actigraphic sleep in older women with insomnia. 

• A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical study to demonstrate clinical efficacy of a fixed valerian hops extract combination (Ze 91019) in patients suffering from non-organic sleep disorder.

Valerian root extract (Valeriana officinalis) is a widely recognized herbal remedy for sleep disorders, anxiety, and stress. It's sedative and antispasmodic properties are well-supported by traditional use and modern research. However, it should be used cautiously with sedatives and in individuals with liver conditions.