Valerian is a flowering perennial native to Europe, Asia and North America. For centuries, the plant has been used to treat migraine, insomnia, anxiety and general "nervous disorders." Today, valerian root is classified as a dietary supplement in the United States and has earned a "Generally Recognized as Safe" status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Although this herb has a long history of use with few adverse effects, long-term safety studies are needed. Check with your physician before using this herb if you take other medications, including drugs to lower blood pressure.
Description
Valerian, or Valeriana officinalis, is known by various common names, including all-heal, vandal root, blessed herb and capon's tail. Hippocrates, Galen, Dioscorides and other early physicians wrote extensively about the medicinal properties of this plant, but also noted the potent bouquet released when the roots of the plant are exposed and appropriately nicknamed the plant "phu." Although cats find the aroma irresistible, most people equate the smell to dirty socks.
Composition
Valerian contains alkaloids and a variety of organic compounds called sesquiterpenes, such as valerenic acid. The plant also contains tyrosine, arginine, glutamine and γ-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter more commonly referred to as GABA. According to the "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," the compounds in valerian work together synergistically to produce sedative, anti-spasmotic and anti-anxiety effects.
Actions
The Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health attributes the mild sedative effects of valerian to the ability of valerenic acid to increase the secretion of GABA in nerve endings in the brain, as well as reduce its degradation by inhibiting reuptake into nerve cells. Valerenic acid also appears to block the activity of a particular enzyme that breaks down GABA. In addition to reducing the amount of time necessary to fall asleep, valerian has also lowered heart rate and blood pressure in people participating in randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies focused on valerian and sleep quality. Given this, valerian root preparations may theoretically increase the effects of blood pressure medications.
Side Effects
The Office of Dietary Supplements states that there are no reports of significant drug interactions with valerian. However, since valerian is traditionally associated with diuretic properties, it may potentiate the effects of diuretics used as blood pressure medications. In addition, a study published in the Sept. 14, 2005, issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" reported that the antispasmodic and blood pressure lowering effects of valerian involve that use of the potassium channel pathway. This means that valerian may potentially interfere with potassium channel blockers used in combination with blood pressure medications to regulate heart rhythm.
References
- "American Family Physician"; Valerian; Susan Hadley, M.D. and Judith J. Petry, M.D.; April 15, 2003
- "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines"; Thomas Brendler, at al.; 2007
- National Institutes of Health: Valerian
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Valerian
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Antispasmodic and Blood Pressure Lowering Effects of Valeriana wallichii are Mediated Through K+ Channel Activation; A. H. Gilani, et al.; Sept. 14, 2005
