Kava and valerian are popular natural supplements with sedating properties. They are often used to treat the same conditions, such as insomnia, muscle tension and anxiety and act on the same neurotransmitter system in the brain. Kava and valerian are often associated with similar side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination. Comparing kava and valerian can help consumers choose the supplement that's right for them by understanding the potential benefits and risks of each.
Characteristics
Kava (Piper methysticum) is a plant from the pepper family. It has been used traditionally as an alcohol-like beverage by the people of the Pacific Islands and is popular today for its calming effects on the mind and body. Kava can be brewed into a tea or taken in pill form to promote relaxation.
Like kava, valerian root (Valeriana officianalis) is prized for its relaxing properties. Sometimes referred to as "nature's Valium," valerian was once used to treat insomnia and anxiety by Native Americans and is among the most frequently used herbal supplements on the market today. It has a very distinctive smell that can trigger nausea in some people, making it somewhat difficult to consume.
Pharmacology
Valerian root contains valerenic acid, which acts as a mild tranquilizer in the body. The active components of kava are known as kavalactones, and they behave in a similar manner by increasing levels of GABA---a neurotransmitter associated with states of muscle relaxation, sleep and calmness. Other substances that affect GABA include alcohol, benzodiazepines and barbiturates, which share many of the same effects as kava and Valerian.
Effects
The effects of kava and Valerian are relatively similar. According to "Biopsychiatry," both kava and Valerian cause a significant reduction in blood pressure responsiveness during stress, suggesting that they may be useful for decreasing the negative physical effects of stress.
Like other GABA agonists, the effects of Valerian and kava generally include feelings of sedation and mental calm. Physically, Valerian and kava have a mild slowing effect on respiration and heart rate and may reduce muscle tension, leading to further feelings of relaxation that can be useful for acute anxiety and insomnia.
Side Effects/Risks
Like other herbal supplements, kava and Valerian can cause unwanted side effects. While both herbs can cause drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination, kava has the potential to cause even more severe side effects. According to "Science Daily," kava can damage the liver by constricting blood vessels and triggering a retraction of the lining in liver cells.
Several cases of liver damage have been attributed to kava, leading to its removal from the market in several countries in the United Kingdom. While the exact mechanism of damage isn't known, consumers should be aware of the risk for serious liver problems when taking kava.
Considerations
Due to a lack of testing, all potential risks of kava and Valerian may not be known. To reduce the likelihood of harm when taking Valerian or kava, avoid driving or performing other potentially dangerous activities. Do not take kava or Valerian with other depressants like alcohol, as this can magnify side effects like dizziness or drowsiness.
Member Comments
vjblather January 9
As usual, your information on kava is poor. If you'd done any serious investigation, you would know that the liver issues caused by kava supplements in Europe in the late '90s and early 2000s were subsequently found to be attributable to either the use of stems and leaves of the Piper Methysticum or the use of alcohol solvent based extracts and tinctures or both. Traditional preparations NEVER use leaves and stems of the plant, which have been known for millennia to be toxic. Nor do traditional preparations involve alcohol or other chemical solvents. The Pacific island populations known to use kava do not have a significantly higher incidence of liver failure than non kava drinking populations. The bans imposed on kava have been rescinded in many of the countries that imposed them in or around 2002.