Insomnia valerian root

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine are known for their sedating properties and are frequently used over-the-counter medications (usual doses 25-50 mg) for difficulty sleeping. Diphenhydramine is approved by the FDA for the treatment of insomnia and can be effective at reducing sleep latency and increasing sleep time.43 However, diphenhydramine produces undesirable anticholinergic effects and carryover sedation that limit its use. As with TCAs and BZDRAs, diphenhydramine should be used with caution in the elderly. Valerian root is an herbal sleep remedy that has inconsistent effects on sleep but may reduce sleep latency and efficiency at commonly used doses of 400 to 900 mg valerian extract. Ramelteon, a new melatonin receptor agonist, is indicated for insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset. The recommended dose is 8 mg at bedtime. Ramelteon is not a controlled substance and thus may be a viable option for patients with a history of substance abuse. 

Valerian root, an over-the-counter herbal supplement, has also been used for insomnia. Thought to act, like the benzodiazepines, by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, preliminary studies indicate that 400 mg of valerian root decreases sleep latency and enhances sleep quality. 

Valerian root pills are said to reduce insomnia and nervousness. (Will and Deni Mclntyre/Photo Researchers, Inc.)... 

Valerian is an herbal sleep remedy that has been studied for its sedative-hypnotic properties in patients with insomnia. The mechanism of action of this herb is still unknown, but it may involve inhibition of the enzyme that breaks down y-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The recommended dose for insomnia ranges from 300 to 600 mg. An equivalent dose of dried herbal valerian root is 2 to 3 grams soaked in 1 cup of hot water for 20 to 25 minutes. As with melatonin, and other herbal products not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), valerian is not regulated for quality or consistency. 

D. Brown, Valerian Root Nonaddictive Alternative for Insomnia and Anxiety. Review of Natural Medicine (Fall 1994) 221-224. 

Traditional Medicine. Common valerian root (fresh or dried) is used as antispasmodic, carminative, stomachic, and sedative. Conditions for which it is used include migraine, insomnia, hysteria, neurasthenia, fatigue, stomach cramps that cause vomiting, and other nervous conditions, usually as a tea or an infusion. It is also used externally to treat sores and pimples. 

Side effects may be as mild and rare as headache, nausea, and stomach upset for saw palmetto [23,24], However, some supplements may have serious side effects. Hypertension, euphoria, restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, skin eruptions, edema, and diarrhea were reported in 22 patients following long-term ginseng use at an average dose of 3 g of ginseng root daily [38]. Side effects reported with valerian use include headaches, hangover, excitability, insomnia, uneasiness, and cardiac disturbances. Valerian toxicity including ataxia, decreased sensibility, hypothermia, hallucinations, and increased muscle relaxation have been reported [39]. 

Valerian Valeriana officinalis) The roots of this plant are dried to produce a potent extract that induces sleepiness and helps treat insomnia. Like lavender, it depresses the activity of the central nervous system in a fashion similar to stronger prescription tranquilizers such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates, but without the dulling or hangover effects the next day or impairing the ability to drive a car. 

Valerian originated in Europe and Asia, where it has been used for more than 1,000 years for a variety of purposes but primarily to treat insomnia and anxiety. Valerian preparations, derix ed from the root of the plant, contain active chemicals that collectively appear to enhance inhibitory neurotransmission through the GABA system. Valerian is not well studied, but several reports support the claim that it reduces sleep latency and improves sleep quality, albeit with many of the same side effects associated with benzodiazepines (Julien, 2005 Spinella, 2001). 

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