VALERIAN
Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation.
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Name: VALERIAN
Class: Herb
Risk Factor: B
Fetal Risk Summary
Valeriana officinalis, the plant most often used for medicinal purposes, is one species of approximately 200 of the genus Valeriana, a herbaceous perennial that grows widely in the temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia (1). A large number of preparations containing valerian are commercially available (2). The herb is used as a sedative and hypnotic for anxiety, restlessness, and sleep disturbances (1,2,3,4 and 5). Other pharmacologic claims that have been made for valerian include antispasmodic, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, and antihypertensive properties (1,3,4). The extracts and root oil have also been used as flavorings for foods and beverages (1).
Although the specific agents responsible for the effects of valerian are unknown, as is the mechanism of action, three classes of compounds have been identified: a volatile oil that contains sesquiterpenes; nonglycosidic iridoid esters (known as valepotriates); and alkaloids (1,3). Of these, the valepotriates, found primarily in the roots, are most likely responsible for the sedative action, but components from the other two classes probably contribute as well (1,3). Because these compounds produce central nervous system depression, they should not be used with other depressants, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or opiates (3,4 and 5). Moreover, nonpregnant adult human hepatotoxicity has been associated with short-term use (i.e., a few days to several months) of herbal preparations containing valerian (6). Long-term use in a male has also been associated with benzodiazepine-like withdrawal symptoms resulting in cardiac complications and delirium (7).
Reproductive studies in animals with valerian have not shown antiovulation, antifertilization, or embryotoxic effects (8). Further, the valepotriates exhibit low toxicity in mice, producing no deaths in doses of up to 1600 mg/kg intraperitoneally or 4600 mg/kg orally (1). Toxicity in mice was characterized by ataxia, hypothermia, and increased muscle relaxation (1).
The cytotoxic activities of three valepotriate compounds, valtrate, didrovaltrate, and baldrinal (a degradation product of valtrate), in cultured rat hepatoma cells were described in a 1981 Reference (9). Both valtrate and didrovaltrate demonstrated much greater cytotoxic activity than did baldrinal, with rapid and irreversible toxicity. In addition, the antitumor activity of didrovaltrate was demonstrated in vivo on female mice KREBS II ascitic tumors (9). Five surviving mice were then bred with normal male mice 50 days after treatment with didrovaltrate. Each had a normal pregnancy and produced normal offspring.
In a 1988 report, two cases of attempted suicide with valerian dry extract plus other drugs were described (10). In one case, a woman at 10 weeks' gestation ingested 2.5 g of valerian dry extract and 0.5 g of phenobarbital. An apparently normal, 4350-g female infant was delivered at 42 weeks' gestation. Examination of the child (age not specified) indicated an IQ in the range of 111 to 120. In the second case, the mother ingested a combination of valerian dry extract (3.0 g), phenobarbital (0.6 g), glutethimide (5.0 g), amobarbital (5.0 g), and promethazine (0.3 g) at 20 weeks' gestation. A mentally retarded, 2650-g male infant was born at 36 weeks' gestation. About 2 years later in her next pregnancy, this woman again attempted suicide at 20 weeks' gestation, by ingesting glutethimide (3.75 g), amobarbital (3.75 g), and promethazine (0.23 g). She delivered another mentally retarded, 2650-g male infant at 43 weeks'. The infant also had a unilateral undescended testicle. Of interest, none of the woman's other 10 children is mentally retarded.
Two additional cases of self-poisoning with valerian were described in 1987 by the same group responsible for the above report (11). In both cases exposure occurred early in gestation, with ingestion of 5 g and 2 g of valerian at 3 and 4 weeks of fetal development, respectively. No congenital abnormalities were observed in the offspring.
In summary, the very limited animal and human data do not allow a conclusion as to the safety of valerian during pregnancy. Moreover, as a natural, unregulated product, the concentration, contents, and presence of contaminants in valerian preparations cannot be easily determined. Because of this uncertainty and the potential for cytotoxicity in the fetus and hepatotoxicity in the mother, the product should be avoided during pregnancy. Other authors have arrived at the same conclusion (3,4). The risk to a fetus from short-term or inadvertent use during any part of gestation, however, is probably low, if it exists at all.
Breast Feeding Summary
No reports describing the use of valerian during lactation have been located. For the reasons cited above, the use of this herbal product should be avoided during breast-feeding.
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References
- Valerian. The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: J.B. Lippincott, October 1991.
- Reynolds JEF, editor. Martindale. The Extra Pharmacopoeia. 31st ed. London, England: Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 1996:17656.
- Klepser TB, Klepser ME. Unsafe and potentially safe herbal therapies. Am J Health-Syst Pharm 1999;56:12538.
- Wong AHC, Smith M, Boon HS. Herbal remedies in psychiatric practice. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1998;55:103344.
- Miller LG. Herbal medicines. Selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions. Arch Intern Med 1998;158:220011.
- MacGregor FB, Abernethy VE, Dahabra S, Cobden I, Hayes PC. Hepatotoxicity of herbal remedies. Br Med J 1989;299:11567.
- Garges HP, Varia I, Doraiswamy PM. Cardiac complications and delirium associated with valerian root withdrawal. JAMA 1998;280:15667.
- Randor S, Einarson TR, Pastuszak A, Koren G. Maternal-fetal toxicology of medicinal plants: a clinician's guide. In Koren G, editor. Maternal-Fetal Toxicology. A Clinician's Guide. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, 1994:4956.
- Bounthanh C, Bergmann C, Beck JP, Haag-Berrurier M, Anton R. Valepotriates, a new class of cytotoxic and antitumor agents. Planta Med 1981;41:218.
- Czeizel A, Szentesi I, Szekeres H, Molnar G, Glauber A, Bucski P. A study of adverse effects on the progeny after intoxication during pregnancy. Arch Toxicol 1988;62:17.
- Czeizel AE, Tomcsik M, Timar L. Teratologic evaluation of 178 infants born to mothers who attempted suicide by drugs during pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 1997;90:195201.
Q&A about Valerian
I found out recently that Valerian Root would bring false positives in a standard drug dest under the class of Benzodiazepines. Since Valerian Root is a derivative of Diazepam, do they have the same duration period of detection? Thank you for your time. Have a nice day everyone!
I've been using valerian to improve my quality of sleep. I used it on a Thursday night and then had a sleep study friday night. I didn't take the valerian friday but I'm wondering if it could alter results(heartbeat,etc).
Every now and then I take 2 capsules at bedtime to help me sleep, what are some side effects of taking valerian root, besides feeling very sleepy the day after?
Though this may seem paradoxical, the same side effect is often noted with prescription sleep aids and anti-anxiety medications if they are over-used.
Valerian root should be used conservatively to treat symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, and it should not be discontinued suddenly. Because of possible negative interaction with barbiturates and benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Valium, and Xanax, people taking these medications should not use Valerian root.
Why does the label on my Valerian say to discontinue use two weeks before surgery? Are there other contraindications or side effects not generally reported?
"The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) gives valerian a class 1 safety rating, which indicates that it is a safe herb with a wide dosage range. " - University of Maryland Medical Center
Yes, it is a sedative, and therefore by common sense it should be kept away from any other sedative or psychiatric meds or herbs. So no anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, or sedatives of any kind while on valerian. Some psych meds might stay in your system for a long time, so ask a pharmacist if you were on any drugs like that in the past few months.
The one side effect I have found in speaking with other herbalists, is that nightmares result for some people. Out of the 25 or more people I know on valerian, three of the reported this. There are likely studies out there which can reflect a more accurate idea of how many people get this.
According to the American Botanical Council cited below, most people don't have any problems at all with it. They are even recommending it as safe during pregnancy, although I would look into this more before suggesting it.
The other reference I cited below is the University of Maryland Medical Center, and it has more info about some other possible side effects.
I've been having recent bouts of severe anxiety. I don't want to use perscription medication for this so a friend recommended valerian root. At the health food store they also recommended passion flower extract and Gaba complex. Does anyone have any advice on these supplements? I know to take the valerian root at night because it will make me tired, but what about the other two? Will they aliviate my symptoms?
My cats go crazy even with a closed bottle of valerian. They act like it is catnip.
An unusual feature of valerian is that the dried root affects the domestic cat in a similar way as that of catnip. If valerian root is left in a place to which cats have access, they will roll in it, salivate onto it and eat it. Burmese cats are attracted to the dried herb and will deliberately destroy containers to obtain it. However, some cats will not go near valerian root.
Valerian's effect on cats is featured as a clue in two works by Agatha Christie.
Valerian is also very attractive to rats, so much so that it has been used to bait traps. Some versions of the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin have him using valerian, as well as his pipes, to attract the rats.
I get sleep, but isually get up in the middle of the night for no reason ang get back to sleep. I heard that Valerian root can help, but iwould like to know how exactly does it help?
My quality of sleep is not very good but i do get sleep, i would just like a peaceful nights sleep,can this help?
Co worker has question re: Valerian root. Not sure of all the details, but think the general idea is she feels more hungover than she thinks appropriate and wondering if the Valerian root is increasing the hangover.
I've been having trouble sleeping and was wondering if I could not only take valerian root but also melatonin at the same time?? Would this be safe? Or should I just take the valerian root?? Insomnia is starting to hamper my days. I've tried the prescrip. meds. and I don't like the way they make me feel.
while melatonin is safe to take with valerian, i don't really suggest taking it unless you have low levels or drops in your melatonin levels at night. if you don't, you take the chance of a spike in you melatonin levels. making you even more awake and find yourself having more trouble sleeping.
WARNING! i strongly do not suggest that you take Tylenol PM and booze, in any form or combination. the main ingredient in Tylenol PM and Advil pm, or benadryl for that matter is diphenhydramine. here's what happens when you take it:
You can walk into a drugstore and choose from an array of sleep aids, offered without prescription. The main ingredient of over-the-counter sleeping pills is an antihistamine. Antihistamines are generally taken for allergies, but also make you feel very sleepy. Common over-the-counter sleep medications are Sleep-Eze, Sominex, Nytol, and Unison; they contain antihistamines such as:
diphenhydramine hydrochloride,
diphenhydramine citrate, or
doxylamine succinate.
In general, over-the-counter sleep medications are not a good choice because they:
Are not intended for long-term use.
Interfere with mental alertness during the day, so you should avoid driving and other similar tasks. You may also be at risk for falling asleep
Reduce the quality of your sleep by reducing time you spend in deep sleep.
Use over-the-counter sleep medications only for transient or short-term insomnia and in conjunction with changes to your sleeping habits. Be sure to pay attention to your bodyβs physical response to these sleep medications.
also look at the links on the website i've listed they have some good remedies!
I hope this helps
http://www.thesuperfoodco.co.uk/valerian...
I would like to try it if it helps me to sleep.
If the tincture is 1:1 strength, you'd take half an ounce of the tincture. So, you can see tinctures can be very expensive. Also, the tincture probably says a dose is a dropper full or something along those lines, and at that dose, you won't feel much. You can buy valerian root at a store or online from large herb vendors with a high turnaround rate. You'll have to experiment with the dosage as well. You may want to start as low as five grams to see how it affects you.
I've found valerian to be an okay sleeping agent.
Hope that helps.
