Why is Valerian sometimes referred to as "nature's Valium" but Valium is never called "chemists' valerian"? Valerian was definitely here first, and it may just outlast Valium. The genus Valeriana includes more than two hundred species of plants growing in temperate areas of both the northern and southern hemispheres. Though many of these species have similar properties, the species that is most often used by Western herbalists,V. officinalis, is native to Europe and was transported to the New World by early settlers. A hardy and adaptable plant, it now grows in much of the northern United States and southern Canada. The medicinal parts are the rhizome and roots. Valerian is a top-ranking herb worldwide as an insomnia remedy. While it may not be threatening to overtake Valium anytime soon in the United States, it has many qualities that make it a better remedy for anxiety and sleeplessness.

Valerian is now the most prominent herbal remedy for insomnia as well as nervous conditions related to anxiety, tension, and stress. It works well as a nerve tonic for people who suffer from nervous exhaustion, panic attacks, and emotional disturbances. It serves as a pain-relieving agent for conditions such as tension-related headache, nerve pain, and menstrual cramps. Valerian can soothe the digestive system and relieve some types of indigestion, constipation, irritable bowel, and stomach cramps, especially those that may be due to excess nervous tension. Valerian may also help to prevent or treat: • high blood pressure • cough (often in combination with other herbs such as licorice) • altitude sickness • addiction to antidepressants

Researchers who conducted a controlled clinical trial recently demonstrated that an herbal formula containing hops and valerian was just as effective as a benzodiazepine (a class of minor tranquilizers that includes Valium and Xanax) for patients suffering from non-chronic and non-psychiatric sleep disorders. The two remedies were rated equivalently for sleep quality and quality of life, while withdrawal symptoms were evident only with the benzodiazepine.

Researchers have identified more than a hundred compounds in valerian roots, including small amounts of alkaloids, fatty acids, flavonoids, amino acida, tannins, lignans, and caffeic acid derivatives. Much of the recent scientific attention has focused on the complex essential oil, which contains resins; the alcohol borneol; and various terpene compounds such as pinene, limolene, and valerenic acid. A mixture of highly unstable iridoid compounds unique to valerian, known as valepotriates, were long thought to be the principal active constituents of the herb, but recent findings have challenged this view and researchers are still trying to pinpoint which compounds are primarily responsible for valerian's proven sedative effects. How one or more of these chemicals affect mind and mood is also still being investigated. The most likely potential mechanism relates to valerian's interaction in the brain with either serotonin or with gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), both of which are neurotransmitters that play an important role in mood, relaxation, and sleep. The ability to affect GABA levels also happens to be the mode of action for benzodiazepines. Valerian compounds may block or inactivate the enzyme that breaks down GABA, indirectly increasing GABA levels. Compared to the benzodiazepine action, valerian's mechanism may actually allow for a prolonged sedative effect.

Animal and human studies indicate that valerian has low toxicity and it is certainly much safer than prescription sedatives. It should not be combined, however, with other central nervous system depressants including alcohol and barbiturates. Valerian should be used with caution before doing tasks that require full alertness, such as driving. While valerian is not addictive, headache and restlessness may occur from taking it regularly for an extended period of time. For unknown reasons, a small minority of people may find valerian stimulating instead of calming. A few people experience stomach complaints from taking valerian. Valerian should not be given to children under the age of 12.

 

References:
Bodesheim, U., and J. Hölzl, "[Isolation and receptor binding properties of alkaloids and lignans from Valeriana officinalis L.]," Pharmazie (1997), 52(5):386-91

Cavadas, C., et al., "In vitro study on the interaction of Valeriana officinalis L. extracts and their amino acids on GABAA receptor in rat brain," Arzneimittel-Forschung (1995), 45(7):753-55.

Klepser TB, et al. Unsafe and potentially safe herbal therapies. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 1999 Jan 15;56(2):125-38; quiz 139-41.

Lindahl, O. and L. Lindwall, "Double-blind study of a valerian preparation," Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior (1989), 32(4):1065-66

Schmitz, M., and M. Jackel, "[Comparative study for assessing quality of life of patients with exogenous sleep disorders (temporary sleep onset and sleep interruption disorders) treated with a hops-valarian preparation and a benzodiazepine drug]," Wien Med Wochenschr (1998), 148(13):291-98.

Wagner J, et al. Beyond benzodiazepines: alternative pharmacologic agents for the treatment of insomnia. Ann Pharmacother. 1998 Jun;32(6):680-91. Review.

Abstracts:    Title: [Comparative study for assessing quality of life of patients with exogenous sleep disorders (temporary sleep onset and sleep interruption disorders) treated with a hops-valarian preparation and a benzodiazepine drug]
Author: Schmitz M; Jackel M
Address: Institut fur Psychosomatik, Wien. Schmitz@ins.at
Source: Wien Med Wochenschr, 148(13):291-8 1998
Abstract: This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial in parallel group design demonstrated equivalent efficacy and tolerability of a hop-valerian preparation compared with a benzodiazepine preparation in patients suffering from sleep disorders according to DSM-IV criteria. Sleep quality, fitness and quality of life were determined by psychometric tests, psychopathologic scales and sleep-questionnaires at the beginning of the therapy, end of therapy (duration 2 weeks) and then 1 week after cessation of therapy. Patients' state of health (4-point scale) and medication tolerability (occurrence of adverse events) were documented. Using the following as parameters "Alphabetischer Durchstreichtest, Feinmotoriktest, Befindlichkeitsskala, Beschwerdeliste, Schlaffragebögen A and B" the differences between beginning and the end of the therapy were analyzed by simultaneous testing of the equality or superiority of the test preparation. The equivalence of both therapies according to sleep quality, fitness and quality of life was proven by a Mann-Whitney-Statistic of 0.50 with a lower boundary of the 95% confidence interval of 0.46. The patients' state of health improved during therapy while showing a deterioration after cessation with both preparations. Withdrawal symptoms, however, were documented with benzodiazepine. Only one adverse drug reaction was reported during this study, namely stomach complaints from both the test and reference medication. This study shows that the investigated hop-valerian preparation in the appropriate dose is a sensible alternative to benzodiazepine for the treatment of nonchronic and non-psychiatric sleep disorders. Language: Ger
Unique Identifier: 98430080
MESH Headings: Adult; Aged; Anti-Anxiety Agents, Benzodiazepine AE/*TU ANTIANXIETY AGENTS BENZODIAZEPINE; Arousal DE; Attention DE; Bromazepam AE/*TU; Comparative Study; Double-Blind Method; English Abstract; Female; Human; Insomnia *DT; Male; Middle Age; Neuropsychological Tests *; Plant Extracts *AD; Quality of Life *; Sedatives, Nonbarbiturate *AD/AE Publication Type: CLINICAL TRIAL; JOURNAL ARTICLE; RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL ISSN: 0043-5341
Country of Publication: AUSTRIA