Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Herbal Treatment for Insomnia

Scientific Evidence from Clinical Trials

One study found that the use of valerian increases rapid eye movement
(REM) sleep (Herrera-Arellano, et al 2001), which is responsible for
consolidating memories and assisting with learning. Two studies have
shown that valerian increases slow wave sleep (Schultz, et al 1994 and
Donath, et al 2000). Slow wave sleep is also known a deep sleep or stage
three and four of non-rapid eye movement sleep, which is characterized
as the deepest phase of the sleep cycle that is the most difficult to wake
from. Three separate studies showed that the use of this herb decreases
the period of time that one spends in stage one of non-rapid eye
movement sleep (Schultz, et al 1994; Donath, et al 2000; and
Herrera-Arellano, et al 2001), a phase of light sleep where the individual is
easily woken. Phase one is often so light that when people wakeup after
entering it for the first time during a sleep, they often do not believe that
they have slept. It has been shown that valerian increases the density of
K-complexes during phase two on non-rapid eye movement sleep
(Schultz, et al 1994). The main functions of K-complexes are to suppress
wakefulness, alertness, muscle tone, and heart rate in response to stimuli
that the sleeping brain encounters; and to assist in the consolidation of
memories.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 37 insomniacs
that were suffering from withdrawal from benzodiazepine, a drug that is
often prescribed for insomnia, reported that the quality of sleep in the test
group, which was taking an extract of valerian, improved over that of
placebo group after two weeks. It was also noted that the herb decreases
wake time after the onset of sleep (Poyares, et al 2002).

Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the
effects of valerian on children who had problems sleeping. The results
indicated that the test group started falling asleep faster, slept longer, and
experienced improvements in the quality of sleep. The benefits of valerian
were particularity apparent in the children with hyperactivity disorders
(Francis, et al 2002).

A trial demonstrated that an herbal product containing 160 mg of valerian
and 80 mg of lemon balm was equally effective at promoting sleep as
0.125 mg of triazolam, a benzodiazepine derived drug that is used in the
treatment of insomnia. This combination was found not to decrease
concentration or increase daytime sedation (Dressing, et al 1992).

Another herbal product that contains valerian and hops was shown to
decrease the impact of noise on both REM and slow wave sleep patterns
(Muller-Limmroth, et al: 1977). Combinations of valerian and hops have
been found not to increase drowsiness after waking (Gerhard, et al:
1996).

Herbal Combination used to Treat Anxiety Disorders

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis)

Scientific Evidence from Clinical Trials

A placebo-controlled trial evaluated a combination containing valerian and
lemon balm to determine if it relieved anxiety. Various doses of the
combination were taken during the study. Some benefits were notes when
600 mg or 1200 mg were taken three times per day. However, there were
indications that anxiety increased during stressful situations when 1800
mg were administered three times per day. Individuals taking this herbal
combination at any dose showed slight decreases in cognitive functioning
when compared to the placebo group (Kennedy et al. 2006).

References

Donath, F., S. Quispe, K. Diefenbach, A. Maurer, I. Fietze, I. Roots. 2000.
"Critical evaluation of the effects of valerian extract on sleep structure and
sleep quality." Pharmacopsychiatry. 33(2)47-53.

Dressing, H., D. Riemann, et al. 1992. "Insomnia: Are valerian/balm
combinations or equal value to benzodiazepine?" Therapiewoche.
42:726-36.

Francis, A.J., R.J. Dempster. 2002. "Effects of valerian, Valeriana edulis,
on sleep difficulties in children with intellectual deficits: Randomized trial."
Phytomedicine. 9(4):273-79.

Gerhard, U., N. Linnenbrink, C. Georghaidou, V. Hobi. 1996.
"Vigilance-decreasing effects of 2 plant-derived sedatives."
Schweizerische Rundschau fur Medizin Praxis. 85(15):473-81.

Herrera-Arellano A, Luna-Villegas G, Cuevas-Uriostegui ML, Alvarez L,
Vargas-Pineda G, Zamilpa-Alvarez L, et al. 2001. "Polysomnographic
evaluation of the hypnotic effect of Valeraina edulis standardized extract in
patients suffering from insomnia." Planta Medica. 67(8):695-99.

Kennedy, D., W. Little, C. Haskell, et al. 2006. "Anxiolytic effects of a
combination of Melissa officinalis and Valeriana officinalis during
laboratory induced stress." Phytother Res. (Jan 27).

Poyares, D., C. Guilleminault, M.M. Ohayon, S. Tufik. 2002. "Can valerian
improve the sleep of insomniacs after benzodiazepine withdrawal?" Prog
Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 26(3):539-45.

Schultz, H., C. Stolz, J. Muller. 1994. "The effects of valerian extract on
sleep polygraphy in poor sleepers: a pilot study." Pharmacopsychiatry.
24(4):147-51.