Side effects of valerian include headache, stomach upset, mental dullness, excitability, uneasiness, heart disturbances, and even insomnia in some people. A few people feel drowsy in the morning after taking valerian, especially at higher doses. Some people experience dry mouth or vivid dreams.
Valerian may not be safe if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. And it has not been evaluated to determine if it's safe for children under 3 years old. If you have liver disease, avoid taking valerian. And because valerian can make you drowsy, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery after taking it.
Scientists aren't sure how valerian works, but they believe it increases the amount of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA helps regulate nerve cells and has a calming effect on anxiety.
Is Valerian Root Safe? Many studies have found valerian root to be a safe natural sleep aid. Researchers have found taking valerian root regularly for up to 28 days doesn't cause problems for most adults. People taking sedatives or other anti-anxiety or sleep medications should avoid valerian root.
Headaches, dizziness, pruritus, and gastrointestinal disturbances are the most common effects reported in clinical trials but similar effects were also reported for the placebo [14-17]. In one study an increase in sleepiness was noted the morning after 900 mg of valerian was taken [14].
Valerian has been used safely in doses of 300-600 mg daily for up to 6 weeks. The safety of long-term use is unknown. Valerian is usually well-tolerated. Some common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, headache, stomach upset, mental dullness, and vivid dreams.
How long does it take to see effects? While some people will feel the effects of valerian root very quickly, many note that the herb works best when they take it for a week or two.
It may have a stimulant effect for extreme fatigue. Valerian root may lower blood pressure and relax muscles.
Valerian root is a milder option and doesn't affect sleep as much as it affects stress levels. It has fewer side effects but can still cause dizziness or some drowsiness. Melatonin is the stronger choice between the two. When taken correctly, it's very effective for fixing sleep problems.
While the effects of valerian in people with heart rhythm disorders hasn't been evaluated, the supplement has been shown to slow the heart rate in some people and may cause certain abnormal rhythms. For this reason, you should be very cautious about taking valerian if you have an abnormal heart rhythm.
high blood pressure. stenosing peptic ulcer. blockage of the urinary bladder. enlarged prostate.
No interactions were found between magnesium oxide and Valerian Root. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Valerian has been implicated in a small number of cases of clinically apparent liver injury, but usually in combination with other botanicals such as skullcap or black cohosh. In view of its wide scale use, valerian has to be considered a very rare cause of hepatic injury.
An effective anti-insomnia diet focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and unsaturated fats, and avoids alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and spicy and greasy foods. Melatonin is the chemical responsible for sleep.
There have also been cases reported in the literature that suggest Valeriana officinalis can cause liver injury, as well as a number of cases reported to regulators in other countries. Based on the evidence to date, it appears that liver injury associated with Valeriana officinalis is very rare.
It should be taken 30 minutes to two hours before bedtime. Dosage for the treatment of insomnia ranges from 300 to 600 mg of liquid root extract or the equivalent of 2 to 3 g of dried valerian root. Lower dosages are typically used for treating nervous tension and when the root is combined with other supplements.
Since valerian can promote urination, it may not be an appropriate sleep aid for those who must rise frequently to urinate during the night. It is not generally considered a good practice for a person to take sleeping pills when he or she must drive or operate complex machinery.