Valerian is a root that is most commonly used to treat insomnia, other sleep disorders, anxiety issues and stress. There is some scientific evidence that valerian works, but there are also studies that have found no benefit to it. Valerian extract is not considered toxic but it does cause side effects and it can be risky for some people. Consult your doctor before taking valerian extracts.
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Side Effects
Valerian may be safe for most people when used short-term for up to 28 days, but long-term use has not been studied and its safety is unknown, according to MedlinePlus. Valerian can cause side effects, including headache, heart palpitations, blurry vision, nausea, excitability and unease. A few people respond to valerian in the opposite way from its intended use. It gives them insomnia, anxiety or restlessness instead of calming them and helping them sleep. Some people may also have an allergic reaction to valerian.
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Sedative Risks
Some people experience sluggishness in the morning after taking valerian at night, especially at higher doses. Because of its sedative effects, you should not drive or operate dangerous machinery after taking valerian. Valerian may cause some dependency if you use it for a very long period, though this is rare, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you decide to stop taking valerian after long-term use, you should taper off slowly over the course of a week or two to minimize withdrawal symptoms. If you are scheduled for surgery, stop taking valerian at least two weeks before the procedure and tell your doctor you were on it. Valerian may slow your nervous system, which increases the risk of complications if you are given anesthesia or other drugs during surgery.
Precautions
If you are pregnant or nursing, avoid valerian, as its safety has not been adequately studied. There have been some reports of liver damage linked to valerian, though it is unclear that valerian was actually to blame because it might have been contaminants or other herbs taken at the same time, according to the American Cancer Society. If you have liver or kidney disease, do not take valerian unless you clear it with your doctor first. If you are taking valerian, you may want to ask your doctor to monitor your liver function.
Interactions
Taking valerian in combination with certain prescription drugs may increase the risk of side effects, reports MedlinePlus. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking valerian if you take alprazolam or other benzodiazepines; anticonvulsants like phenytoin; barbituates; insomnia medications like zolpidem; or medications changed by the liver, including cholesterol-lowering statins, antifungal drugs and antihistamines. Do not drink alcohol when you are taking valerian, as the combination could cause dangerous sleepiness.
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