Transcript Valerian

Valerian
Kelly Hughey
Nutrition Update 547
What Is Valerian?
Valerian is a popular herb used as a
sedative to promote sleep and as a
calmative agent.
•Botanical Name: Valeriana officinalis
•Other Names: Heliotrope, Fragrant Valerian and European
Valerian.
•Valerian grows wild over many parts of Europe and Asia.
However, most of the valerian used for medicinal extracts is
cultivated.
•Parts used for extract: Root and rhizome.
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History and Traditional Uses
• Valerian: from the Latin word valere, which means to
be in good health.
• The herb was first discovered and used by Greek
physicians, who recommended it for a host of
medicinal uses:
– Insomnia
– Digestive problems
– Anxiety
– Epilepsy??
Current Valerian Claims
• Valerian is currently recommended for the following:
» Insomnia
» Anxiety
» Pain
• Valerian is used in combination with many other
herbs for a list of purposes.
Insomnia
• Even losing sleep a few nights a week can
significantly impair your ability to function and
decrease the quality of your life.
• Lack of Sleep can cause:
1. Depression and Anxiety
2. Delayed Reflexes
3. Mental and Physical Exhaustion
4. Weight Gain
5. Slow recovery from infections and diseases
6. Depressed immune system
7. Decreased attention span
8. Irritability
Insomnia cont..
• Many who suffer from sleeping problems seek out
help.
• Options available: Relaxation techniques,
prescription drugs and herbal remedies (like
valerian).
• Herbal remedies may be chosen due to the high cost
and addictive properties of prescription medications.
Chemical Constituants
• Valerian extract is composed of many chemical
constituents that are suggested to have medicinal
properties
» Valerenic acid
» Valeoptriates
» Amino acids
• Valerenic acid; suggested in several studies to be one
of the active compounds of valerian.
How it Works
• GABA receptors, melatonin, serotonin and
dopamine play a big part in controlling sleep
(circadian rhythm, sleep latency, and duration)
• Valerian may decrease the degradation of
GABA, therefore increasing GABA
concentration at the synapse (similar to Rx
drugs like barbituates and benzodiazepine)
resulting in a calming or sedative effect.
• There are also studies testing valerians effect on
serotonin and melatonin receptors as well, but
the mechanism of this reaction is unknown.
Abourashed, E. and Koetter, U.
In Vitro Binding Experiments with a Valerian, Hops and Their
Fixed Combination Extract to Selected CNS Receptors.
Phytomedicine. 2004. Vol 11
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•Several central receptors were selected for screening the
binding affinity of valerian extracts. (serotonin, dopamine,
melatonin)
•Valerian dry extract was prepared
for the dried roots of the plant and
paired with hops dried extract.
•The binding assays were
performed using human
receptors.
cloned
• Findings:
– The tested extracts showed considerable affinities
towards the serotonin and melatonin receptors.
– the nature of affinity for the valerian product to
the respective receptors is yet to be determined.
– Partially due to the in vitro tests (bioavailability is
an essential parameter to be considered).
– Identification of the active constituents of any
herbal product is important for full
understanding of its pharmacological use and
risks.
Hadley, S., Petery, J.
Valerian.
American Family Physician. 2003. Vol 67. pg 1755-1760.
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•Analyzed 3 studies of uses and effectiveness of valerian.
1. Double blind, placebo controlled trial, 128 participants.
Evaluating the effects of a single dose (400mg) on sleep
latency, quality, night awakenings and sleepiness upon wake.
–Valerian extract demonstrated significant improvement
over placebo in latency and quality, but no differences in
the other two parameters.
–Examination of the study showed that the positive
effects of valerian extract on sleep were most significant
in those who considered themselves very poor sleepers
and smokers. Subjects who rated themselves as good
sleepers where largely unaffected by the herb.
2.Another double blind study of 58 subjects
who were described as and having lengthy
sleep latency:
• Single doses of 450 and 900mg for comparison
• Wriest activity meter
• Provided sleep rating surveys
• They also found the single does to be effective
for sleep latency and achieving “better rest”,
however no effect on total sleep time.
• The 900mg dose produced increased
sleepiness on awakening, compared with
3. The last study focused on pts with confirmed
insomnia.
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Design: Placebo-controlled, double blind
600mg single dose
Doses given over 14 days
Each monitored with a polysomnograph
(measures sleep waves)
• Findings:
– The 600mg single dose of valerian extract
demonstrated no effect on sleep efficiency.
– While multiple doses over the 14 days resulted in
significant improvement in parameters of slowwave seep.
– There was a slight trend toward reduced sleep
Summary of article
• Most studies reviewed suggested that valerian is
more effective when used continuously rather than
as an acute sleep aid.
• More rigorous studies are needed to confirm these
results.
• A potential advantage of valerian over prescription
meds is the lack of sleepiness upon awaking when
using recommended doses.
Other Research reviewed:
• Evidence indicates that valerian may be
beneficial and safe for persons with
Rheumatoid Arthritis, and possibly may be
superior to other sleep aids.
– RA can be used as an example of problems that
people may have that inhibit good sleep (others
found include child developmental delay, anxiety
and fibromyalsia,,, the list can go on)
• One article suggested that valerian is just as,
if not more effective as Kava in treating
insomnia.
• In pre-op pts: Valerian, and other herbs
Dosages and Effectiveness
• Many people take 300-500mg of valerian root
extract in capsules or tablets, 30 minutes to 2 hours
prior to bedtime.
• Another common preparation is to create a tea-like
tincture, by soaking 2-3g of dried root in warm
water.
• It has been found that taking valerian for single time
use is questionable effectiveness.
• Valerian is recommended to be used longer periods
of time or for chronic conditions. Valerian is most
effective after taking it nightly for 5 to 7 days.
• Several clinical studies have shown that valerian is
effective in the treatment of insomnia, most often by
reducing sleep latency.
Side Effects and Herb-Drug Interactions
• According to several studies, there are no
contraindications with valerian.
• Reported adverse effects are rare, but include
dizziness, headache and GI distress.
• Valerian may potentate the sedative effects of
barbiturates, anesthetics or other CNS depressants.
Use with other sedative medications is not advised.
• No evidence of averse effects have been found in
studies combining the use of valerian and alcohol
consumption. But is still not advised.
• Contradictory information was found regarding the
operation of heavy machinery or motor vehicles.
Quality Considerations
• Quality standards generally relate to the level of
essential oil.
• The European Pharmacopia defines valerian root as
containing at least 5ml of essential oil/kg.
• Higher quality is considered to be associated with
roots bred to have higher concentrations of oil.
• Neither the FDA nor any other federal or state agency
routinely tests valerian products, or other
supplements, for their quality.
Quality Considerations cont..
•ConsumerLabs.com:
Products were tested for: the quality and quantity
of their valerian; potency, contamination, and
dissolution.
•What CL Found:
Among the 13 products tested by
ConsumerLab.com, 5 failed.
Low potency was the primary reason for failure.
Summary and Key Points
• Efficacy: Appears effective in mild to moderate
insomnia.
• Adverse Effects: Rare GI disturbance and headache.
• Interactions: None have been reported, however may
increase sedative effects of barbiturates, anesthetics
and CNS depressants.
• Dosage: Varies. Usually 300 to 600mg capsules 30
minutes to 2 hours before bed. Or 2 to 3g of dried
root (tea form).
• Cost: $0.08 to $0.30 per capsule, depends on brand.
• Bottom line: If the brand is tested to provide
adequate amounts of active ingredients, it is a safe
and effective treatment of mild to moderate
insomnia.
Fin
References
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Abourashed, E. and Koetter, U. In Vitro Binding Experiments with a Valerian,
Hops and Their Fixed Combination Extract to Selected CNS Receptors.
Phytomedicine. 2004. Vol 11.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030415/1755.html. retrieved July, 2006.
Hadley, S., Petery, J. Valerian. American Family Physician. 2003. Vol 67. pg
1755-1760.
Herb Almanac. http://www.1001herbs.com/valerian/. retrieved July, 2006.
McCabe, S. Complementary Herbal and Alternative Drugs in Clinical Practice.
Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. 2002. Vol 38. pg 98-109.
Mischoulon, D. The Herbal Anxiolytics Kava and Valerian for Anxiety and
Insomnia. Psychiatric Annals. 2002. Vol 32. pg 55-66.
Muller, D., Pfeil, T., et all. Treating Depression Comorbid with Anxiety Results
of an Open, Practice-oriented Study with St.Johns Wort and Valerian Extract in
High Doses. Phytomedican. 2003. Vol 10. pg 25.
Office of Dietary Supplements. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Valerian.asp.
retrieved July, 2006.
Taibi, D., Bourguignon, C., Taylor, A. Valerian Use for Sleep Disturbances
Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Holistic Nursing Practice. 2004. Vol 18. pg
120-127.
Wills, R., Bone, K., Morgan,M. Herbal Products: Active Constitualnt, Modes of
Action and Quality Control. Nutrition Society. 2000. Vol 13.
A side Note…
Valerian has shown to have a similar
effect on cats as cat-nip.