How long valerian root

Valerian root is considered to be safe and may be a gentler alternative to synthetic drugs for relief from anxiety and sleeplessness. Learn more. Drinks that aid sleep include lavender tea, cherry juice, and almond milk. Some drinks are natural sleep aids and can help people fall asleep. Anxiety medications can cause unwanted side effects, so some people consider herbal remedies as alternatives.

Read more about these potential remedies…. Homeopathy is a practice that uses diluted nonmedical substances to treat different illnesses. Learn more about whether it can help treat anxiety….

What to know about valerian root. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Summary People can take the root of the valerian plant Valeriana officinalis as a supplement. How does valerian root work? Does it work for anxiety and sleep? What else can it help with? What is the recommended dosage? Is it safe? How long does it take to see effects? Side effects. Who should not take it? Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Valerian: A safe and effective herbal sleep aid? Products and services. I read that the herbal supplement valerian can help you fall asleep if you have insomnia. Is valerian safe, and does it actually work? Answer From Brent A. With Brent A. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again.

Show references Valerian. Natural Medicines. Accessed Dec. Valerian: Fact sheet for health professionals. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Using dietary supplements wisely. Bonnet MH, et al. Treatment of insomnia in adults. Leach MJ, et al. Herbal medicine for insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews. Sateia MJ, et al.

As a sleep aid, valerian seems to be most effective for people who have trouble falling asleep and who consider themselves to be poor sleepers.

It also has had good results for people who wake up during the night. Some studies show that valerian may provide quick relief for poor sleep. But it may take 2 to 4 weeks of daily use to bring improved sleep for people with serious insomnia. Side effects from valerian are rare but can include mild headache or stomach upset, abnormal heartbeats , and insomnia. Because of valerian's calming effect, you should not take it at the same time as other calming medicines or antidepressants or do so only under medical supervision.

You also should not take valerian if you will be driving or need to be alert. The U. Food and Drug Administration FDA does not regulate dietary supplements in the same way it regulates medicine. A dietary supplement can be sold with limited or no research on how well it works. Always tell your doctor if you are using a dietary supplement or if you are thinking about combining a dietary supplement with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on a dietary supplement.

This is especially important for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Author: Healthwise Staff. But the National Institutes of Health NIH describes an old study showing that mg of valerian root extract did significantly improve sleep compared to placebo in healthy volunteers.

Participants reported improvements in the time needed to fall asleep, quality of sleep, and number of middle of the night awakenings. The NIH also noted a clinical trial in which people with insomnia taking mg of dried valerian root had decreased symptoms of insomnia compared to the placebo after 28 days of treatment. Research on the use of valerian root in treating anxiety is somewhat lacking.

One small study in 36 patients with generalized anxiety disorder found that 50 mg of valerian root extract given three times a day for four weeks significantly reduced one measure of anxiety compared to placebo. Other anxiety studies used slightly higher dosages. The U. Also avoid combining it with sedative drugs, such as barbiturates e.

Valerian root also has a sedative effect, and the effect can be addictive. Valerian root may also increase the effects of anesthesia. Powdered valerian root is available in capsule and tablet form, as well as a tea. You can purchase valerian root easily online or in drugstores.

Be sure to read the product labels and directions before taking valerian root. Some products contain dosages of valerian root that are higher than the above recommended amounts. Keep in mind, though, that there is no standard dose of valerian root. Valerian root can make you drowsy. The best time to take valerian root for sleep is right before bedtime. You might have an underlying condition, like sleep apnea, or a psychological disorder, which requires evaluation.

Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. Jacquelyn Cafasso has been in a writer and research analyst in the health and pharmaceutical space since she graduated with a degree in biology from Cornell University.