What effect has valerian?
The healing power of the plant is mainly in the essential oil of the rhizome and roots. It is composed of a variety of effective components. The main ingredient of valerian oil is bornyl acetate.
Other ingredients include:
- β-caryophyllene
- Valeranone
- Valerenal
- Bornyl isovalerate
- Valerenic acid
It is known from clinical studies that the ingredients interact with certain docking sites of a messenger substance (GABA receptors) in nerve cells. This leads to a relaxing and decramping effect. However, it has not been scientifically proven whether the valerian effect comes from a single ingredient or whether several ingredients contribute to its effectiveness.
In addition to the essential oil, valerian contains 0.5 to 2 percent valepotriates (depending on the species). They have an antispasmodic effect and give the plant its characteristic odor.
What is valerian used for?
Common valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is used internally for mild nervous tension and sleep disorders. Its effectiveness for these applications is medically recognized.
The medicinal plant achieves a muscle-relaxing effect in full baths.
The question often arises whether valerian helps against dementia. It is clear that long-term disturbed sleep means that the brain’s own waste disposal system does not function properly. This favors Alzheimer’s disease. Since the herbal sedative facilitates falling asleep and sleeping through the night, it has an indirect influence.
There are also indications from individual studies that valerian is helpful for
- hot flashes during menopause
- pain due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Restless legs syndrome
How is valerian used?
You can either use valerian as a home remedy and prepare valerian tea and full baths with valerian yourself. Or you can resort to ready-made preparations based on the medicinal plant.
Valerian as a home remedy
To prepare valerian tea, pour 150 milliliters of boiling water over one teaspoon of crushed valerian root (3 to 5 grams).
Let the infusion steep covered for 10 to 15 minutes and then strain. Drink a freshly prepared cup of valerian tea two to three times a day and before bedtime.
When does valerian work? Have a little patience: valerian shows its full effect only after about 5 to 14 days.
A lower total daily dose is recommended when using valerian tea in children and adolescents up to 15 years of age:
- four to nine years: 1 – 3 grams
- 10 to 15 years: 2 – 3 grams
For nervousness, tension and insomnia, adults can also prepare a full bath with valerian. For this purpose, pour two liters of hot water over 100 grams of the valerian rhizome. Then pour this infusion into the bath water (about 34 to 37 degrees).
For a muscle relaxing effect, you should bathe for 10 to 20 minutes.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Ready-made preparations with valerian
The powdered rhizome of valerian is used to make valerian lozenges and tablets. The more concentrated extracts are offered in liquid form as valerian drops or juices and in dried form as valerian tablets, dragées and soluble instant teas. There are also valerian sprays.
For the type of application and correct dosage, please always refer to the package insert of the respective preparation or ask your doctor or pharmacist. This will also tell you more about the respective maximum dose.
What side effects can valerian cause?
Sometimes mild side effects of valerian occur, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, dizziness or itching. Very rarely, heart palpitations also occur. In high amounts, valerian damages the liver.
Also, if you take too much valerian, you may experience diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. However, an overdose of valerian is not fatal.
There is no scientific evidence yet on long-term use, which is why it is rather discouraged.
What you should keep in mind when using valerian
- When using valerian, follow the dosage recommended by your doctor, pharmacist or package leaflet.
- You should not use the medicinal plant if you have a known allergy to valerian.
- Due to the lack of scientific studies, pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under twelve years of age should not take valerian preparations or consult a doctor beforehand.
- Valerian drops and tinctures often contain alcohol. They are therefore not suitable for minors, pregnant women and dry alcoholics – alcohol-free preparations are more advisable here.
- Do not take valerian together with alcohol.
- There are no known interactions between valerian and the contraceptive pill.
