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Clinical Trials
The sleep improving effects of a single dose administration of a
Valerian/Hops fluid extract was studied in a double blind, randomized,
placebo-controlled sleep-EEG Study in a parallel design using
electrohypnograms, and proved superiority of the valerian/hops
combination over placebo. Dimpfel 2008
It has been indicated that Kan Jang, ginseng and valerian are safe with
respect to effects on human male sterility when administered at dose
levels corresponding to approximately 3 times the human daily dose.
Mkrtchyan 2005
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75 patients of non-organic & non-psychiatric insomniacs aged
between 18 & 70 years, in a randomised, double-blind, clinical,
comparative study showed no differences in the efficacy for valerian
and oxazepam and more favourable adverse effect profile of valerian
was reported. [Article in German]. Dorn 2000
Baths with added pine oil or valerian may be helpful for fibromyalgia
patients. Plain water baths modify the pain intensity, medicinal baths
improve well-being and sleep. Ammer 1999
In this review, the history and current use of plant-based medicine and
highlights of evidence of risks and benefits associated with 6 plants
including echinacea, ginger, and valerian have been summarised as
studied from randomized controlled trials. Barrett 1999
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placebo. Subjective sleep quality improved in all three medication
groups, compared to placebo. Residual sedation (hangover) not
confirmed Gerhard 1996
Double blind study shows the sesquiterpenes are sedative, without the
cytotoxicity of valepotriates Lindahl 1989
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Review on herbal medications & their importance for anaesthesia &
intensive care medicine led to skepticism towards the use of garlic,
ginkgo, cranberry, valerian or St. John's wort leading to
recommendation that herbal medications should be discontinued 2
weeks before surgery. [Article in German] Kleinschmidt 2007
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I read that the herbal supplement valerian helps people with insomnia
fall asleep. Is valerian safe, and does it actually work? [No authors
listed] 2004
In this review it has been indicated that the herb valerian may be useful
as a mild sleep aid in clinical populations, such as persons with
rheumatoid arthritis. Taibi 2004
Fever-few, milk thistle, tea tree oil, and valerian have been used for
centuries and were considered safe for use by most patients and they
appear to provide benefits in treating or preventing illness but the
supporting evidence is inconclusive in some cases. Petry 2001
The review of Herbal Medicines and Epilepsy revealed that the herbal
sedatives (kava, valerian, chamomile, passionflower) may potentiate
the effects of antiepileptic medications, increasing their sedative and
cognitive effects. Spinella 2001
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Phytopharmacons like hop, balm, lavender, passiflora and valerian
were traditionally administered against nervousness and sleep
disturbances. Controlled clinical trials were only available for valerian,
but no sleep inducing potential of valerian was observed. [Article in
German]. Volz 2001
In earlier days Valerianae Radix (VR) has been quoted in all books on
medicinal plants. Recently V.R. was not included in many medical
books. It has been pointed out that the action of VR is gentle hence it
is suggested to include it under OTC drugs and to revaluate it for the
treatment of elderly. Yanagisawa1996
SAFETY DATA
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Herbs affecting the central nervous system: gingko, kava, St. John's
wort, and valerian. Assemi 2001
Interactions
Determination of whether the treatment with haloperidol (HP), valerian
or both in association impairs liver or kidney functions indicates the
potentially adverse interactions between haloperidol and valerian.
Dalla Corte 2008
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Cannabis sativa, Salix alba and others have been reviewed for the
synergistic interactions in experimental, in vitro as well as clinical
studies. Williamson 2001
Contraindications
No Records
EVIDENCE OF ACTIVITY
Animal Studies
Evaluation of CNS-related effects of valerian extracts using mice and
rats shows not sedative but anxiolytic and antidepressant activity,
which was elaborated in the special extract phytofin Valerian 368,
considerably contributing to the sleep-enhancing properties of
valerian. Hattesohl 2008
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was examined. More research is needed. Neill 2007
Free radical oxidation in the brain and blood serum from experimental
animals exposed to chronic stress and receiving psychotropic drugs
(phenazepam, Atarax, Fluanxol, and valerian) was studied. Kutlubaev
2005
Study found that valerian extract did not potentiate in mice the sedative
effect of commonly prescribed CNS depressant drugs like haloperidol,
diazepam, buspirone, pentobarbital, diphenhydramine and ethanol as
expected. Ugalde 2005
Pharmacodynamics
A specific binding site on GABA(A) receptors with nM affinity for
valerenic acid and valerenol, common constituents of valerian, was
described. Both agents enhanced the response to GABA at multiple
types of recombinant GABA(A) receptors. Benke 2008
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Study of effects of traditionally used anxiolytic botanicals on enzymes
of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system shows that extracts
from Centella asiatica (gotu kola) and Valeriana officinalis (valerian)
stimulated glutamic acid decarboxylase activity by over 40% at a dose
of 1 mg/mL. Awad 2007
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It is indicated that the antispasmodic and hypotensive effects of
Valeriana wallichii may be mediated through K(ATP) channel
activation, which justifies its use in gastrointestinal and cardiovascular
disorders. Gilani 2005
The two herbal extracts Valeriana officinalis L. and St. John's wort
(Hypericum perforatum L.) were studied for their metabolic changes
upon incubation with freshly prepared rat hepatocytes and
subsequently analysed phytochemically as well as pharmacologically
in vitro. Simmen 2005
The in vitro binding of Ze91019, and the component valerian and hops
extracts within, was tested on 14 subtypes of five classes of central
receptors (dopamine, serotonin, melatonin, MCH and neuropeptide-Y).
Abourashed 2004
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using in vitro mitogenic and comitogenic rat thymocyte tests, the pectic
polysaccharide-rich complex from Valeriana stimulated immune
function of bone marrow cells. Ebringerova 2003
It has been reported for the first time that 2S (-)-hesperidin is present
in valeriana and it has sedative and sleep-enhancing properties. 6-
methylapigenin from Valeriana wallichii, was found to have anxiolytic
properties and was able to potentiate the sleep-enhancing properties
of hesperidin. Marder 2003
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Houghton 1999
Analytical Chemistry
The protocols for an approach for rapid HPLC-based profiling for new
GABA (A) ligands of natural origin were validated by spiking
experiments with inactive extract & profiling active extracts such as
valerian extract containing known GABA (A) receptor ligand valerenic
acid. Kim 2008
Nine compounds were isolated from the roots of Valeriana fauriei Briq,
of which one is a new germacrane-type sesquiterpenoid named as
valerianin E and its structure was elucidated. Zhang 2006
Two new lignans along with 5 known compounds have been isolated
from the roots of Valeriana prionophylla and their structures have been
established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments. They found
to have a powerful antioxidative and vasorelaxant activities. Piccinelli
2004
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have been quantitatively estimated by reversed-phase HPLC in the
leaves, flowers, stems and roots of 9 Valeriana species including V.
glechomifolia which was the richest one for valepotriates. Silva 2002
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"Pharmacological screening of valerenal and some other components
of essential oil of Valeriana officinalis" (no abstract) Hendriks 1981
Pharmacokinetics (ADME)
Maximum prolongation of barbiturate- induced sleep was achieved
when "no-effect" doses of "natural" powdered Leonurus cardiaca &
valerian root suspensions were administered concurrently,
demonstrating mutual potentiation of specific activity & excellent
bioavailability of their active principles. Gedevanishvili 2006
FORMULAS/BLENDS
Patents
Conduct a search on V. officinalis or valerian in the title, abstract or
claims section of the US patent database
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Odor-masking coating for a pharmaceutical preparation US Patent
6,667,059
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Contemporary Mixtures (component)
No Records
OTHER INFORMATION
Valerianae Radix (VR) a sedative drug had both domestic & foreign
markets before the Second World War in Japan. Now, VR are grown
only in the Hokkaido area for the purpose of preserving the species.
Cultivation of VR & its quality improvement in Japan may be research
subjects in the near future. Yanagisawa 1996
Related Links
Valerian report at ConsumerLabs.com
Valerian at GRIN
Valerian at HortiPlex
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Monograph at NCCAM Herbs-at-a-glance
Scroll down index of herbs to find Radix Valerianae within the pdf file in
WHO monograph
DYNAMIC UPDATES
HISTORY OF RECORD
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