Valerian hops is an herbal supplement commonly sold in health food stores. This supplement is used to treat insomnia, anxiety and headaches, according to "Alternative Cures: More than 1,000 of the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies." Like many herbal supplements, however, it is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, according to "Foundations of Nursing," and can cause an array of side effects.
Allergic Reactions
Valerian hops have a high rate of allergic reactions, according to "Alternative Cures: More than 1,000 of the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies," ranging from relatively mild reactions to quite serious ones. Mild side effects include skin redness and inflammation, headache and nausea, according to "Prescription for Natural Cures." According to "Foundations of Nursing," more serious side effects of valerian hops include blurred vision, hallucinations and heart palpitations. People can experience allergic reactions by exposing themselves to small doses of valerian hops.
Drug Interactions
Though valerian hops is an herbal supplement, it can have serious side effects when used alongside prescription or over-the-counter medications, according to "Prescription for Natural Cures." Sedatives and narcotics have the highest incidence of reaction with the most serious potential side effects, according to "Foundations of Nursing." When taking valerian hops with medications such as morphine, the depressing effects of the medication are amplified, causing extreme central nervous system depression, leading to reduced oxygen saturation, bradycardia and hypotension, according to "Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing."
Increased Estrogen Levels
In large doses, valerian hops can signal the body to manufacture larger than normal amounts of estrogen, leading to an abnormally high level of estrogen in the body, according to "Foundations of Nursing." This occurs due to the phytoestrogen called 8-prenyl naringenin in the valerian hops. Increased estrogen levels in the body can lead to dizziness, depression, changes in libido and breast cancer, according to "Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing."
References
- "Foundations of Nursing"; Lois White, Gena Duncan and Wendy Baumle; 2010
- "Alternative Cures: More Than 1,000 of the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies"; Bill Gottlieb; 2008
- "Prescription for Natural Cures"; James Balch and Mark Stengler; 2004
- "Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Adrianne Dill Linton; 2007
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