What is valerian root extract used for?
Valerian has been used as a traditional medicine dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times. People commonly use valerian for sleep disorders, especially insomnia. Valerian is also used for anxiety, stress, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
What is Valeriana officinalis root extract?
Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) is a popular and widely available herbal supplement, primarily used to treat insomnia and anxiety. Until recently, its mechanism of action has remained unknown.
What does valerian do to your body?
One is that valerian increases the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. As a neurotransmitter, GABA inhibits unwanted nervous system activity. Studies have shown that increased levels of GABA in the brain lead to falling asleep faster and experiencing better sleep.
Is valerian extract good for you?
Research suggests valerian root may help improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, improve symptoms of OCD, and reduce hyperactive behavior in children. It may also offer a few other benefits.
Can valerian root make you high?
Valerian tea cannot make people high. It can, however, cause a person to experience more vivid dreams. As a result, those who frequently have nightmares may want to avoid drinking valerian tea.
Is valerian safe to take?
Is Valerian Root Safe? Many studies have found valerian root to be a safe natural sleep aid. Researchers have found taking valerian root regularly for up to 28 days doesn’t cause problems for most adults. People taking sedatives or other anti-anxiety or sleep medications should avoid valerian root.
Can valerian make you feel high?
These compounds stimulate opioid receptors and serotonin production in your brain, producing relaxing and anti-depressive effects ( 6 ). Some researchers also believe that valerian boosts the brain chemical gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), which has a calming effect on your body ( 7 ).
Can valerian cause liver damage?
Only a small number of cases of liver injury attributed to valerian have been published, and there have been no instances of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or vanishing bile duct syndrome attributed to its use, and no convincing case of acute liver failure.
Can I take valerian every day?
For anxiety, take 120 to 200 mg, three times per day. Your last dose of valerian root should be right before bedtime. The recommended dosage for anxiety is generally lower than the dosage for insomnia. This is because taking high doses of valerian root during the day can lead to daytime sleepiness.
Does valerian have side effects?
Side effects may occur. Although valerian is thought to be fairly safe, side effects such as headache, dizziness, stomach problems or sleeplessness may occur. Valerian may not be safe if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding. And it has not been evaluated to determine if it’s safe for children under 3 years old.
Can you overdose on valerian extract?
While this herb is usually tolerated well, there are a few reports of possible valerian toxicity linked to more severe symptoms, including headaches, liver toxicity, chest tightness, abdominal pain, and tremors ( 10 , 16 , 17 , 18 ).
Does valerian raise blood pressure?
Valerian root may lower blood pressure and relax muscles.