Valerian

Other names: All heal, Amantilla, Setwall, Setewale, tail of the Capon, Valeriana officinalis

Valerian is a plant native to Europe and Asia. It reaches up to four feet high and a flower-shaped trumpet. The roots are used in medicine. While the fresh root is relatively odorless, the dried root has a strong odor that is often difficult to unpleasant.

Valerian is believed to have been used since at least the time of the Greece and ancient Rome. It has been used as a folk remedy for a variety of conditions such as sleep problems, digestive complaints, nervousness, tremor, headaches tension and heart palpitations. Popularity of the Valerian declined with the introduction of prescription sleep medications.

There is no consensus on what are the active constituents of Valerian. It is possible that the activity of valerian may result from a combination of compounds over one or the other. Valerian appears to increase the available supply of the body of acid neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), possibly by increasing its production, by reducing its absorption or slowing its failure.

Valerian are found in the capsule, tea, tablets or extract forms liquid most, some pharmacies in natural food stores and online.

Insomnia

The use of valerian is supported by the evidence of clinical studies. The problem with many studies, however, is that they were generally small, used different amounts of valerian for various periods, or had problems with the design of the study, making it impossible to form a conclusion on the effectiveness of Valerian.

Valerian appears to be less effective than prescription sleep drugs. One of the possible benefits of Valerian, however, are that it may not have as much of a "hangover" effect on the aftermath of mental or physical functioning. Also, people taking sleeping pills have sometimes worsening temporary insomnia, when they are abandoned, an effect that has not been reported with valerian.

Anxiety

Valerian is also used for anxiety, although there was not enough evidence that it is effective.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women and children should not use valerian.

Persons taking medications for insomnia or anxiety, such as benzodiazepines, should not combine these drugs with valerian.

Side effects of valerian may include headaches, dizziness, itching, disturbance, drowsiness during the day, dry mouth and vivid.dreams.

Rarely, liver injury have been associated with use of Valerian. It is not certain that the cause of the liver damage was because of valerian itself or contaminants present in the product. Until we know more, people should use valerian only under the supervision of a qualified health professional, and those with liver disease should avoid. Although the damage to the liver produce always visible symptoms, if excessive fatigue, intense itching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain or discomfort in the right upper part of the abdomen, or yellowing eyes white or skin occurs, consult your doctor immediately.

Valerian may result in excessive sleepiness or daytime sleepiness if combined with other drugs that cause drowsiness, such as benzodiazepines Ativan (lorazepam) or Valium (diazepam), some antidepressants, drugs such as codeine and barbituates as phenobarbitol, or with sleep for sale free and cold products containing diphenhydramine and doxylamine.

It can also cause excessive sleepiness if taken with herbs that have a sedative effect, such as hops, catnip and kava.

Valerian is decomposed in the liver. In theory, it could interfere with the effectiveness of drugs that are broken down by the same liver enzymes, such as: allergies as Allegra (fexofenadine)
cholesterol drugs, such as Mevacor (lovastatin)
antifungal agents such as Sporanox (itraconazole) and Nizoral (ketoconazole)
drug cancer such as Camptosar (irinotecan), Etopophos, Vepesid (etoposide), Gleevec (STI571), Taxol (paclitaxel), Velbe (vinblastine) or Oncovin (vincristine) Sources:

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, ed.: Valerian root. In: Herbal medicine: expanded monographs of the Commission e. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 2000: 394-400.

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