Valerian is an erect perennial growing to 4 ft (1.2 m), (a hardy plant with sweet smelling pink or white flowers that blooms in summer), having sharp pointed serrated/pinnate divided leaves, stems have dark leaves and umbrella-shaped heads with small, fragrant, white to pink (or lavender) flowers in bunches at the end of the stem, native to Europe and some parts of northern Asia but is now cultivated in North America.
Valerian root as a hardy plant with sweet smelling pink or white flowers that blooms in summer. The rhizome has a variety of small rots that are also part of its medicinal value.
Plant Description
History
Types & Varieties
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
• Valerian root/rhizome is:
• Analgesic
• Anti-Biotic
• Expectorant
• Sedative (paradoxical Stimulant)
• Relaxant
• Relieves muscle spasms
• Relieves Anxiety
• Lowers blood pressure
• Anti-Spasmodic
• Anxiolytic (Anti-Anxiety)
• Bitter Tonic
• Carminative
• Emmenagogue
• Hypnotic
• Hypotensive
• Nervine
• Nervine tonic
• TonicValerian Root Common Uses
• Alcohol and drug recovery,
• Anxiety / Stress,
• Cramps,
• Depression,
• Digestive complaints,
• Dysmenorrhea,
• Epilepsy,
• Gastrointestinal disorders,
• Harm reduction from cannabis,
• Harm reduction opiates/Alcohol,
• Heart Palpitations,
• High Blood Pressure,
• Insomnia,
• Lower blood pressure,
• Menstrual cramps,
• Muscle Cramps,
• Muscle pain,
• Nervous System,
• Nicotine and drug withdrawal,
• Pain,
• Relaxation,
• Restlessness,
• Sedation,
• Stress,
• Tension,
• Trauma (Emotional),
• Trauma (Physical),
Usable Parts
root/rhizome
Root and rhizome are harvested in autumn when they contain the highest level of active ingredients.
Directions of Preparation
• Tablets often also contain other herbs. Take for Stress or Anxiety.
• Tincture – (for Anxiety) Take 20 drops in hot water up to 5 times a day.
• Powder can be taken as capsules – For Insomnia, take 1–2 doses of 500 mg at night.
• Decoction – Take 1–5 tbsp as a Sedative at night.
• Infusion 1 – Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of root and let it stand for 10-15 minutes.
• Infusion 2: – 1 tsp/cup, steep covered 20 mins, or 1/2 – 1 tsp tincture (more effective).
Recommended Dosage
• Dried rhizome/root – 1–3 g as an infusion or decoction up to three times daily.
• Tincture – 3–5mL (1 : 5; 70% ethanol) up to three times daily. 1–3 mL, once to several times daily.
• Extracts – Amount equivalent to 2–3 g drug, once to several times daily. 2–6mL of (1 : 2) liquid extract daily.
• Infusion – Drink small doses during the day or drink 1 cup before bedtime.
Its Active Constituents:
• Valerian root/rhizome contain:
• Volatile oil (upto 1.4%, including bornyl acetate, camphene, borneol),
• Monoterpenes (e.g. alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, camphene, borneol, eugenol, isoeugenol),
• Esters and a series of valerenyl esters,
• Valerenal,
• Sesquiterpene Alkaloids (valerenic acid, with acetoxy and hydroxy derivatives),
• Sesquiterpenes (e.g. beta-bisabolene, caryophyllene, valeranone, ledol, pacifigorgiol, patchouli alcohol, valerianol, valerenol),
• Iridoids (valepotriates – valtrate [e.g. valtrate, valtrate isovaleroxyhydrin, acevaltrate, valechlorine], didrovaltrates [e.g. didrovaltrate, homodidrovaltrate, deoxydidrovaltrate, homodeoxydidrovaltrate, isovaleroxyhydroxydidrovaltrate], isovaltrate [e.g. isovaltrate, 7-epideacetylisovaltrate])
• Alkaloids (pyridine type. Actinidine, chatinine, skyanthine, valerianine and valerine),
• Steroids (Beta-Sitosterol, clionasterol 3-beta-O-glucoside).
Precaution:
* Do not take if already taking sleep-inducing drugs, because it can cause drowsiness.It can increase the effects of Sedative or Anti-Anxiety medications (such as opiates, benzodiazepines and barbituates), so exercise caution and take under supervision of a professional.
* Avoid if you take haloperidol.
* Do not take if you need to drive (or operate) machinery, because it can cause drowsiness and reduced reflexes.
* In 10% of the population, Valerian causes the opposite effect (instead of sedation it causes agitation and restlessness).
* Excessive doses and long term use produces Headaches, Dizziness, blurry vision, uneasiness and disorientation upon awaking.
Health Benefits of Valerian
Cardiovascular System
• Its root has Anti-Diuretic and Hypotensive effects which aid in regulating blood pressure effectively and beneficial for Palpitations (quick and irregular heartbeats) because it may make you calmer and restore the heartbeat.
Foods & Cardiovascular System
Circulatory System
• Valerian Alkaloids are Hypotensive (can help to normalize the blood pressure by lowering blood pressure, maintaining/strengthening the blood vessels and improving its elasticity, therefore benefits heart health), thus used with other herbs as herbal-remedy for High Blood Pressure caused by Stress and Anxiety.
Foods & Circulatory System
Intestine
• Valerian root Carminative action helps relieve Flatulence and gas pain, while its Anti-Spasmodic properties has also been used historically to treat gastrointestinal pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), where it relaxes the smooth muscles of the gastro-intestinal tract.
Foods & Intestine
Metabolism
• Valerian root is beneficial for the treatment of Hyperthyroidism disease through its muscle relaxing and sleep aiding effects.
Foods & Metabolism
Musculoskeletal System
• Valerian root contain the volatile oil that helps to reduce muscle pain and keep muscles relaxed (reduce the tension), helps to relax the leg muscles (treat restless leg syndrome) and also effective in curing Sciatica pain related to a muscle spasm.
• It relaxes over-contracted muscles, thus helpful for shoulder and neck tension, Asthma, Colic, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), period pain, and muscle spasms.
• It is also very effective for relief from the pain of muscle spasms and sports injuries.
• Its root is used as a nerve Sedative and Anti-Spasmodic, and a remedy for hysteria and other nervous complaints. Is used as a Medicinal Herb with Sedative, Anti-Anxiety and Anti-Insomnia effects in both tea, tincture and capsule form.
• Its root is also used as an anti-convulsant, Migraines treatment, and pain reliever.
• Use Valerian tea daily to relieve knee and lower Back Pain.
• It is also very effective for relief from the pain of muscle spasms and sports injuries.
• Its root aids patient in falling asleep faster as relaxation is crucial with restless leg syndrome.
Foods & Musculoskeletal System
The Brain & Nervous System
• Valerian root extracts appear to positively affect/increase the level of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, a chemical neurotransmitter receptor in mammalian Nervous Systems affected by Sedative benzodiazepine drugs), where it helps the brain/nervous-system to direct messages to the brain, thereby calming down the nerves and helps regulate nerve cells and calms Anxiety.
• Valerian root is beneficial for ADHD treatment as it works together with the brain to decelerate triggers that may cause Hyperactivity and aid in the individual concentration.
• Valerenic acid present in dried Valerian root tincture has powerful effects on the memory function can improve the memory performance in children and adults.
• Its root extract contain valerenic acid and valerenol which act as Anti-Anxiety agents, also has the ability to increase the concentration and attention, thereby helping to relieve the brain fog that occurs due to Fibromyalgiaand very beneficial to people who suffer from the high and low moods of bipolar disorder.
• Its potent Sedative (soothing and calming) and pain relieving properties has been used to treat Migraines and Headaches related to Anxiety and Stress, and acts as a muscle relaxant and mild tranquilizer, resulting in a feeling of floating in the air. It has a calming effect on the mind reducing mental over-activity and nervous excitability, thus beneficial to almost any stress-related condition.
• Its root is a beneficial home remedies for treating/relieving Vertigo attacks quickly by dealing with Anxiety and Insomnia.
• Its root has Sedative effects on the Nervous System thus useful as an anti-epileptic treatment for it helps to decrease the frequency of seizures occurring in epileptic patients and credited with many virtues, particularly with healing Epilepsy. A ground mixture of Valerian root, Lavender or German Chamomile and water is effective in managing hand Tremors as it can cause nerves to calm and relax.
• It relieves many symptoms of Anxiety, including Tremors, panic, Palpitations, and Sweating.
• Its an excellent remedy for patients with sleep deprivation as it aid sleep, improve sleep quality better than oxazepam (a conventional sleep treatment).
• Its a useful remedy for Insomnia, whether caused by Anxiety (or over-excitement).
• Treat Insomnia using a mixture of Valerian root, Hops (humulus lupulus) and Lemon balm (melissa officianalis) which are sedating herbs.
• Its root is known as a Sedative herb that increases the sleep quality for people suffering from Fibromyalgia and it has high effects on treating sleep disorders and myalgia (muscle tension).
• Sleeplessness is a condition that is common for many patients with Hyperthyroidism.
• It can be used as a safer alternative to benzodiazepines, assisting with treatment of Stress, tension, Anxiety, and Insomnia.
Foods & Nervous System
Women Health
• Valerian root as an Emmenagogue and anti-spasmodic is an excellent choice for Menstrual cramps & discomfort, and irritability caused by pre-menstral syndrome (PMS) as it stimulates Menstrual flow.
• Its root is effective in treating menopausal hot flashes (Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences School of pharmacy study).
• Its root helps alleviate tension and is often effective in the treatment of severe uterine muscle contractions that cause the terrible pain many women experience during menstruation
Foods & Women Health
