Valerian

"Valium of the 19th Century"

"Valeriana officinalis"

Amy Bigus, Deanna Massengill, and Christy Walker

Common Names (Genus Valeriana comprises ~150 species)

• theriacaria
• amantilla
• herba benedicta
• setwell
• radix valerianae

General description

• Perennial plant native to North America & Europe as well as parts of Northern Asia.
• Yellow-brown tuberous rootstock with a flowering stem 2-4 feet high.
• Stem is round with paired leaves.
• Flowers are small, rose-colored & bloom from June to September.
• Rootstock is harvested for medicinal effects. Dried Rhizosome is also used medicinally.

Chemical Composition

• Active compounds are:
  • valepotriates = non glycosidic iridoid esters
  • valeric acid
  • small number of alkaloids
  • volatile oil containing active sesquiterpenes
• Valepotriates (most important chemical group) includes:
  • valtrate, isovaltrate, acevaltrate
  • present in all parts of the plant (highest concentration is in the root)
  • unstable in acid or alkaline solutions - hydrolyze quickly
  • known to be cyotoxic & mutagenic
  • have shown spasmolytic, sedative & anticonvulsant activity
  • interact with essential oil constituents to produce nervous system activity
• Alkaloids are present in roots & rhizosomes
  • actinidine
  • isovaleramide
  • valerianine
  • valerine
  • chatinine

History and Folk Use

• migraine
• insomnia
• intestinal cramps, digestive problems
• nausea
• urinary tract disorders
• cardiovascular effects
• PMS, menstrual cramps
• muscle cramps related to stress
• depression
• others

Clinical Trials

Lindahl and Lindwall. "Double Blind study of a valerian preparation." Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior. 32(4):1065-6, 1989.

Double blind study with cross-over technique was carried out on 27 persons with sleep difficulties. Test was carried out on the Valeriana root which contains primarily sesquiterpenes. When compared with placebo, a significant effect was shown on poor sleep. No side effects, however, were observed. The study regarded Valerian as a good alternative to conventional, strong medications which have the risk of habituation and side effects.

Leathwood and Chauffard. "Quantifying the effects of mild sedatives." Journal of Psychiatric Research. 17(2):115-22, 1982-83.

This study tested both physiological and subjective aspects in quantifying the effects of mild sedatives. The subjective data was gathered by a questionnaire distributed to the patients after each night of sleep. The physiological data was confirmed by EEG studies on the patients' sleep patterns. Evaluating EEG based on a small number of subjects, however, might fail to detect objective effects but it may be premature to conclude whether or not the therapy was ineffective. While the EEG study alone would suggest no effect of Valerian, the subjective questionnaire could be quite opposite. It can provide adequate means of detecting mild sedative effects and can be used to detect the sensitive groups in the population.

Leathwood PD and F Chauffard. "Aqueous extract of valerian reduces latency to fall asleep." Planta Medica. (2):144-8, April 1985.

A double-blind, randomized study looked at 8 volunteers suffering from mild insomnia. They received placebo, 450 mg and 900 mg of aqueous extract of Valerian root. The results showed significant ( in sleep latency with 450 mg of Valerian compared to placebo. Higher doses of Valerian, however, produced no further improvement in sleep latency.

Leathwood PD, Chauffard F, Heck E and R Munoz-Box. "Aqueous extract of valerian root (Valeriana officinalis L.) improves sleep quality in man" Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior. 17(1):65-71, 1982.

The effect of Valerian root on subjectively rated sleep measures was studied on 128 people. Each person received 9 samples to test (3 placebo, 3 x 400 mg Valerian extract & 3 OTC Valerian preparations). The samples could be identified by code only and were administered randomly on non-consecutive nights. Valerian produced a significant decrease in subjectively evaluated sleep latency scores and improvement in sleep quality. These effects were more notable in patients who were poor or irregular sleepers, smokers, and those with long sleep latencies. The night awakenings, dream recall and somnolence the next morning were unaffected by Valerian. Valerian is effective, however, without producing a detectable "hangover" effect the next morning.

Pharmacology

• Normalization of the CNS (bidirectionality)
  • acts as a sedative in states of agitation
  • acts as a stimulant in cases of extreme fatigue
• Lowering of blood pressure
  • increases coronary blood flow, decreases HR, BP & O₂ consumption
• Choleretic effect
  • enhances bile flow
• Relaxation of intestinal muscles
  • antispasmodic activity mediated by influx of intracellular Ca
• Prime pharmacological effect = sedative
  • bind to GABA-A receptors through which sedation is mediated without side effects of benzodiazepines

Clinical Applications

• Primary: sedative, treatment of insomnia
• Stress & anxiety
• Other applications: antispasmodic, muscle pain, menstrual & intestinal cramps, bronchial spasms, lingering coughs, tension headache, nervousness, restlessness, hysteria

Drug Interactions

• Anti-depressants
• Sedatives
• Alcohol

***Take Valerian only under a doctor or pharmacist's supervision.***

Dosage

• Mild sedative doses taken 30-45 minutes before bedtime:
  • dried root (or as tea): 1-2 grams
  • tincture (1:5): 4-6 mL (1-1.5 teaspoons)
  • valerian extract (0.8% valeric acid): 150-300 mg
  • fluid extract (1:1): 1-2 mL (0.5-1 teaspoon)

Toxicity

• Generally regarded as safe.
• Minor Side Effects:
  • headache, excitability, insomnia, hepatotoxicity, etc.
• Large doses may cause:
  • central paralysis, ataxia, hypothermia, ( heartbeat, ( intestinal motility, ( muscle relaxation, etc.
• No evidence of toxicity in humans.

Summary

• Action on nervous system – use with caution.
  • Nervines are herbal medicines that affect the nervous system. They do not have documented side effects but should still be used with caution.
• Addiction potential
  • Herbal sedatives do not cause physical addiction but may lead to emotional dependence. Nervines are ideal for supplying temporary relief of stress so that the patient can determine the cause of the stress and get permanent relief.
• Lifestyle changes
  • Patients may be advised to make some lifestyle changes: e.g. eat better, exercise more, and cut down on coffee & tobacco use.

References:

Angier B. Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1978.

Dolby V. "Hawthorn: a heart healer with sea-faring roots," Better Nutrition, v59, n2, p28 (1), Feb. 1997.

Foster S. "Two herbs with a heart for health," Better Nutrition, v59, n4, p56, April 1997.

Hamon NW. "Herbal medicine: Hawthorns (Genus Crataegus)," Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal, 121(Nov):708-9; 724, 1988.

"Hawthorn," The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Jan. 1994.

Hobbs C and S Foster. "Hawthorn – A Literature Review," Herbalgram 22:18-33, 1989.

Hoffman D. "Focus on herbs: Hawthorn – The Heart Helper," Alternative & Complementary Therapies, p191-2, April/May 1995.

Hoffman D. "Heart-smart herbs: tonics to keep your ticker in tip-top shape," Vegetarian Times, n224, p102(3), April 1996.

Li LD, et al. "Studies on hawthorn and its active principle. I. Effect on myocardial ischemia and hemodynamics in dogs." Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 4(4):283-8, 1984.

Li LD, et al. "Studies on hawthorn and its active principle. II. Effects on cultured rat heart cells deprived of oxygen and glucose." Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 4(4):289-92, 1984.

Marti JE. The Alternative Health & Medicine Encyclopedia. New York: Gale Research, Inc., 1995.

Murray MT. The Healing Power of Herbs. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996.

Pizzorno JE and MT Murray. "Crataegus Oxyacantha," A Textbook of Natural Medicine. Bothell, WA: Bastyr University Publications, Vol. 1, 1996.

Popping S, et al. "Effect of a hawthorn extract on contraction and energy turnover of isolated rat cardiomyocytes," Arzneimittel-Forschung, 45(11):1157-1161, Nov. 1995.

Rosenbaum A. "To each his own: gentle herbal remedies for men," Vegetarian Times, n186, p75(5), Feb. 1993.

Steinman HK, et al. "Immediate-type hypersensitivity to Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn)." Contact Dermatits, 11(5):321, Nov. 1984.

Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press (Haworth Press, Inc.), 1994.

Internet sites as follows:

http://www.herbsinfo.com/pages/cact.htm

http://www.pacific.net/~smb/ginkgo_det.html

http://www.pacific.net/~smb/hawthorn_det.html

http://www.pacific.net/~smb/hawthorn-notes.html