Valerian is an herb that’s most commonly used in medicinal preparations for its sedating effects, mainly to treat insomnia and anxiety. Because valerian can pose certain health risks and dangers for some people, you should consult your doctor before taking herbal remedies containing valerian to treat muscle spasms or any other medical condition.
History
For centuries, valerian root has been used in medicinal remedies to treat a wide range of health problems, including liver, urinary and gastrointestinal conditions. In the 1500s, valerian became a common herbal sedative used to treat nervous disorders and insomnia, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Despite numerous medical studies conducted since the 1970s, researchers are still unsure of exactly how valerian works, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Benefits
Today, you might use valerian to help treat muscle spasms, as well as insomnia, anxiety, stress and nervous stomach. Valerian may also have benefits in treating colic, menstrual cramps, migraines and gas, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In addition to muscle spasms, valerian may also help to ease pain. No conclusive scientific evidence confirms that valerian is safe and effective for treating any of these conditions, however.
Dosage
You might take 270 to 450 mg of valerian liquid extract or 600 mg of alcohol extract twice daily, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Or, you could take a preparation containing 2 to 3 grams of dried valerian herb. These dosage recommendations are for treating insomnia or anxiety, however, so ask your doctor about the proper dose to take for muscle spasms before beginning a valerian regimen.
Function
Valerian contains iridoids called valepotriates, which may account for the herb’s sedative effects. Also, the alkaloid contained in valerian called valerenic acid appears to reduce breakdown of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or “GABA,” which affects certain receptors in the brain, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. When valerenic acid binds to GABA receptors, it produces a sedating effect on the central nervous system that may be responsible for the herb’s use in relieving muscle spasms.
Warnings
The most commonly-reported side effects from taking valerian include headaches, morning sleepiness and decreased alertness, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A case reported in the "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology" in 2008 involved a woman who experienced hepatotoxicity after taking valerian for a long period of time. Another case reported in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" in 1998 involved a man who experienced negative cardiac effects during withdrawal from valerian after taking the herb several times, says the University of Michigan Health System. Valerian could enhance the effects of certain sedative medications, including barbiturates, benzodiazepines and haloperidol. Talk to your physician about these potential side effects, health risks and drug interactions before taking valerian.
