Uses of Valerian Gain Ground
New Research Promotes Valerian Herb as Sleep Aid, Relaxation
Feb 16, 2009
Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) is an herbal medicine used for centuries to treat anxiety, insomnia and cramping. Because the evidence for the herb's effectiveness is both anecdotal and early in the stages of data discovery, conventional medical practice has kept it at bay. As usual, one should always check with a physician before trying any herbal supplement.
Valerian Root as a Sleep Aid and for Relaxation
In a recent study, valerian was tested for its effectiveness as an antioxidant with the goal of examining its ability to alleviate insomnia caused by oxidative stress (JH Sudati et al., "In vitro Antioxidant Activity of Valeriana officinalis Against Different Neurotoxic Agents" Neurochemical Research, Feb.4, 2009, PubMed, Epub ahead of print ).
Oxidative stress is when cells react negatively to oxygen, producing damaging toxins that break down the cells. The study exposed rat brain extracts to various chemical agents in order to mimic oxidative stress, particularly lipid peroxidation - a process that could be linked to insomnia.
The presence of valerian extracts was reported to prevent some lipid breakdown brought on by the oxidating chemicals, which led the group to conclude that valerian could help insomnia brought on by lipid peroxidation.
This new evidence is not necessarily applicable to all insomnia cases, but the evidence points to the potential efficacy of the herb as an alternative to addictive prescription medications.
Valerian Root for Uterine Cramps
Additionally, valerian was tested on uterine muscle tissue to determine its effects on muscle contractions (F. Occhiuto et al., "Relaxing effects of Valeriana officinalis extracts on isolated human pregnant uterine muscle" Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Volume 61, Issue 2, 251-6, February, 2009).
The study team took uterine muscle "strips" from hysterectomies and produced conditions that would model uterine contractions. After the strips and their model environment were exposed to valerian extracts, the team recorded a reduction in muscle tissue contractions, noting that valerian's use for the treatment of menstrual cramps seemed legitimate.
The Word on Valerian Root
It is important to consult with a physician before trying any herbal medicine. Some studies are still inconclusive. In a study by Taibi et al. ("A Feasibility Study of Valerian Extract for Sleep Distrubance in Person With Arthritis" 2008) a single volunteer with arithritis was given valerian treatments to treat insomnia, but the subject did not appear to respond.
The problem with this study is that it was a single case study and not a full-blown trial with enough research volunteers to make any kind of generalization. For now, a person should use valerian with minor caution, even as evidence favors its efficacy.
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