Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia and naturalized in North America. It has a distinctive odor that many find unpleasant. Other names include setwall (English), Valerianae radix (Latin), Baldrianwurzel (German), and phu (Greek).
Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates described its therapeutic uses and in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed it for insomnia. In the 16th century, it was used to treat nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations. In the mid-19th century, Valerian was considered a stimulant and not regarded highly as a medicinal herb. During World War II, it was used in England to relieve the stress of air raids.
In addition to sleep disorders, Valerian has been used for gastrointestinal spasms and distress, epileptic seizures, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, scientific evidence is not sufficient to support the use of Valerian for these conditions.
Here are the key points that emerge from the “Office of Dietary Supplements” information website on Valerian.
- Valerian is an herb sold as a dietary supplement in the United States.
- Valerian is a common ingredient in products promoted as mild sedatives and sleep aids for nervous tension and insomnia.
- Evidence from clinical studies of the efficacy of Valerian in treating sleep disorders such as insomnia is inconclusive.
- Constituents of Valerian have been shown to have sedative effects in animals, but there is no scientific agreement on Valerian's mechanisms of action.
- Although few adverse events have been reported, long-term safety data are not available.
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