Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) as a tool for helping with Insomnia / sleeplessness

This updated review of medicinal plants for insomnia related to anxiety, based mainly on clinical trials, concludes that valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is one of the three plants with the most potential, with the combination of valerian, hops and passionflower giving the best clinical results.

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 60 studies found that valerian (Valeriana officinalis) could be a safe and effective herb to improve subjective sleep quality and reduce anxiety, with more reliable effects from the whole root/rhizome, attributing inconsistent past results to variable extract quality.

This evidence review found that valerian (Valeriana officinalis) root appears effective for mild-to-moderate insomnia (limited by study quality) and is well tolerated and safe, while evidence for anxiety disorders is currently insufficient.

Insomnia affects approximately one-third of the adult population and contributes to increased rates of absenteeism, health care use, and social disability. Extracts of the roots of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) are widely used for inducing sleep and improving sleep quality. A systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled trials of valerian for improving sleep quality is presented. An extensive literature search identified 16 eligible studies examining a total of 1093 patients. Most studies had significant methodologic problems, and the valerian doses, preparations, and length of treatment varied considerably. A dichotomous outcome of sleep quality (improved or not) was reported by 6 studies and showed a statistically significant benefit (relative risk of improved sleep = 1.8, 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.9), but there was evidence of publication bias in this summary measure. The available evidence suggests that valerian might improve sleep quality without producing side effects. Future studies should assess a range of doses of standardized preparations of valerian and include standard measures of sleep quality and safety.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, a standardized Valeriana officinalis extract significantly improved overall sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency and total sleep time and reduced anxiety and daytime sleepiness in subjects with sleep complaints, and was safe and well tolerated.

In a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial, valerian (Valeriana officinalis) significantly improved sleep quality and reduced state anxiety and depression in hemodialysis patients, supporting its sedative/anxiolytic use.

In an internet-based randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, valerian (Valeriana officinalis) for insomnia did not separate significantly from placebo, illustrating the variable clinical results for valerian and the importance of extract quality and dosing.

Serious sleep problems are common in children with an intellectual deficit (ID), and are often the source of much distress for both the child and caregivers. As yet, no satisfactory long-term treatment exists for intransigent sleep difficulties in children with an ID. Valerian, Valeriana spp., has been used for thousands of years to induce relaxation and sleep. Scientific investigation of valerian's sleep promoting ability in humans, whilst limited, has yielded promising findings. This initial study aimed to explore valerian's potential for assisting in the treatment of sleep problems in children with an ID. Five children with varying intellectual deficits and different primary sleep problems underwent eight continuous weeks of monitoring via sleep diaries, adhering to a double blind, placebo controlled and randomised design. Compared to baseline and placebo, valerian treatment led to significant reductions in sleep latencies and nocturnal time awake, lengthened total sleep time and improved sleep quality. The treatment was apparently most effective in children with deficits that involved hyperactivity. Although the findings are preliminary and in need of replication, there is evidence to suggest that valerian may be useful in the safe and effective long-term treatment of intransigent sleep difficulties in children with ID's, and therefore warrants further investigation.