Valerian is a hardy perennial found in home gardens for its scented pink or white flowers and attractive foliage. Valerian root tea has been used in traditional medicine, and modern research has found significant health benefits from valerian tea. As with all natural remedies, consult with a qualified health-care practitioner for the most appropriate course of therapy prior to using valerian tea.
Anxiety
Research has confirmed that the anti-anxiety effect of valerian stems from its interaction with GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain, according to a study in the 2010 "Phytomedicine." This method of activity makes valerian similar to the class of drugs known as benzodiazapines. The study, which used rats, administered 3ml/kg body weight of valerian extract to one group of rats and valerenic acid -- the active constituent in valerian root -- to another group of rats and then placed the rats in a maze. Significantly less anxious behavior was observed in the rats given valerian and valerenic acid than in the control group. The researchers conclude that valerian root may be a viable alternative to traditional anti-anxiety drugs for some individuals.
Neuroprotective
A study on the antioxidant activity of valerian extract found it to protect against oxidation of lipids in the brain. A 2009 "Neurochemical Research" study used rat brains and found that valerian extract inhibited damaging effects of thiobarbituric acid. The researchers conclude that valerian extract may be beneficial for reducing the stress effects of insomnia on brain tissue.
Another study in the 2004 "Journal of Natural Products" found lignin extracts of valerian to have powerful antioxidant activity. Lignins are water soluble components of the cell walls of plants. The same study also found these extracts of valerian to have relaxing properties on the muscles lining blood vessels.
Epilepsy
Water extract of valerian root was found to have significant anti-epileptic activity in rats in a study in the 2010 "Journal of Ethnopharmacology." The rats were given valerian extract at three dosage levels: 200, 500 and 800 mg/kg, and convulsive activity was measured via electrodes planted in the amygdala -- a structure in the deep portion of the temporal lobe area of the brain. A petroleum ether extract of valerian root, however, had a seizure-inducing effect on the rats in the experiment. Additionally, the researchers noted that the anticonvulsive effect of valerian was diminished when a substance that blocks a receptor for the molecule adenosine was administered prior to the valerian, leading the researchers to conclude that adenosine is an important component in the activity of valerian root on the nervous system.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology": Anticonvulsant effect of aqueous extract of Valeriana officinalis in amygdala-kindled rats: possible involvement of adenosine; Rezvani ME, et al.; 2007 Feb
- "Phytomedicine": Valeriana officinalis root extracts have potent anxiolytic effects in laboratory rats;Murphy K, Kubin ZJ, Shepherd JN, Ettinger RH; 2010 July
- "Neurochemical Research": In vitro antioxidant activity of Valeriana officinalis against different neurotoxic agents; Sudati JH; 2009 Aug
- "Journal of Natural Products": New lignans from the roots of Valeriana prionophylla with antioxidative and vasorelaxant activities;Piccinelli AL; 2004 July
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