Valerian Monograph

A valerian monograph for the home

This valerian monograph provides basic information about valerian—common names, usefulness and safety, and resources for more information.

Valerian is a plant native to Europe and Asia; it also grows in North America.
Valerian has been used medicinally since the times of early Greece and Rome; Hippocrates wrote about its uses. Historically, valerian was used to treat nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations.
Today, valerian is used as a dietary supplement for insomnia, anxiety, and other conditions such as depression and menopause symptoms.
The roots and rhizomes (underground stems) of valerian are used to make capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts, as well as teas.

Knowledge about valerian is limited because there have been only a small number of high-quality studies in people.

The evidence on whether valerian is helpful for sleep problems is inconsistent.
There’s not enough evidence to allow any conclusions about whether valerian can relieve anxiety, depression, or menopausal symptoms.

Studies suggest that valerian is generally safe for use by most healthy adults for short periods of time.
No information is available about the long-term safety of valerian or its safety in children younger than age 3, pregnant women, or nursing mothers.
Few side effects have been reported in studies of valerian. Those that have occurred include headache, dizziness, itching, and digestive disturbances.
Because it is possible (though not proven) that valerian might have a sleep-inducing effect, it should not be taken along with alcohol or sedatives.

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Fernández-San-Martín MI, Masa-Font R, Palacios-Soler L, et al. Effectiveness of valerian on insomnia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Sleep Medicine. 2010;11(6):505-511.
Miyasaka LS, Atallah ÁN, Soares B. Valerian for anxiety disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006;(4):CD004515 [edited 2009]. Accessed at https://www.thecochranelibrary.com(link is external) on April 29, 2015.
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Valerian: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Office of Dietary Supplements Web site. Accessed at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Valerian-HealthProfessional/ on April 29, 2015.
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Taibi DM, Landis CA, Petry H, et al. A systematic review of valerian as a sleep aid: safe but not effective. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2007;11(3):209-230.
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