Valerian
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Valerian
The medicinal herb Valerian as an alternative herbal remedy for headaches and depression - Valerian is a plant native to Europe and Asia; it is also found in North America.Common Names--valerian, all-heal, garden heliotrope
Latin Names--Valeriana officinalis
What Valerian Is Used For
- Valerian has long been used for sleep disorders and anxiety.
- Valerian has also been used for other conditions, such as headaches, depression, irregular heartbeat, and trembling.
Herbal Remedy Products with Valerian as part of the ingredients
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Valerian root has a long and illustrious history and appears in recorded writings from ancient Greece and Rome. It’s well-known for its soothing and calming properties and for its ability to encourage peaceful slumber. Research suggests that natural chemicals found in valerian act on GABA receptors in the brain. Due to its long history of use, valerian has been well-studied. There are also many scientific studies which support its benefits. Marder M, Viola H, Wasowski C, Fernández S, Medina JH, Paladini AC (2003). "6-methylapigenin and hesperidin: new valeriana flavonoids with activity on the CNS". Pharmacol Biochem Behav 75 (3): 537–45. ; Fernández S, Wasowski C, Paladini AC, Marder M (2004). "Sedative and sleep-enhancing properties of linarin, a flavonoid-isolated from Valeriana officinalis.". Pharmacol Biochem Behav 77 (2): 399–404.. Holzl J, Godau P. (1989). "Receptor binding studies with Valeriana officinalis on the benzodiazepine receptor.". Planta Medica 55: 642. doi:10.1055/s-2006-962221. ; Mennini T, Bernasconi P, et al. (1993). "In vitro study in the interaction of extracts and pure compounds from Valerian officinalis roots with GABA, benzodiazepine and barbiturate receptors". Fitoterapia 64: 291–300.
How Valerian Is Used
- The roots and rhizomes (underground stems) of valerian are typically used to make supplements, including capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts, as well as teas.
What the Science Says about Valerian
- Research suggests that valerian may be helpful for insomnia, but there is not enough evidence from well-designed studies to confirm this.
- There is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether valerian works for anxiety or for other conditions, such as depression and headaches.
- NCCAM is funding a study to look at the effects of valerian on sleep in healthy older adults and in people with Parkinson's disease.
Side Effects and Cautions of Valerian
- Studies suggest that valerian is generally safe to use for short periods of time (for example, 4 to 6 weeks).
- No information is available about the long-term safety of valerian.
- Valerian can cause mild side effects, such as headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, and tiredness the morning after its use.
- Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including valerian. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.
News About Valerian
Valerian: sleep aid for humans, catnip for felines
- By Jeff Spurrier
The Global Garden, our series on multicultural L.A. as seen through the lens of its landscapes, returns to the Fountain Avenue Community Garden this week, where Charlene Gawa has planted a soothing bit of botanical history called valerian.
The 10th century name stems from the Latin verb meaning "to heal." It was popular among ancient cultures from Europe to Asia; one variety was used by Native Americans, sometimes as a food. The root of Valerian is used as a relaxant and sleep aid, its popularity as an herbal medicine diminished with the rise of the synthetic Valium.
Although the flowers smell pleasant -- a cross between vanilla and cherry pie -- the feathery leaves and roots are odoriferous. Old socks is the most common descriptor. Cats adore it. If not planted away from felines, it will be reduced to a nubbin quickly. You can rub cat toys with the leaves or make a satchel to keep Tabby happy. Dogs and rats also like the smell.
Discourage digging by planting valerian firmly in the ground and mounding rocks around the base. Originally a marsh plant, this perennial is a heavy feeder. It can take partial sun or shade, getting as tall as 5 feet. If harvesting the roots is your aim, clip off flowers to encourage growth below soil. Wash and clean the roots and then toast (don't burn) in a low-heat oven until they become brittle. Valerian can be grown from seed (you can try mountainroseherbs.com) but it can be tricky. The seeds take a lot of water and germinate slowly. A better bet is to cut a section off the crown of an established plant or buy a seedling. Marina del Rey Garden Center usually has it in stock. And if you're growing valerian, now is the time when you should be separating older plants to provide room for new roots.
A medicinal herb in the mountains of New Mexico
- By Rob Hawley
Valerian is one of the best-known medicinal herbs and we have three species growing in the mountains here in Northern New Mexico.
Valerian has small white to pink flowers in branched clusters and leaves growing from the base of the stalk. The singular identifying characteristic of our valerians is a pair of opposite leaves on the flower stalk that appear to be barbed. In our mountains, we have two species of medicinal valerian, V. acutiloba and V. arizonica and one species that is edible, named V. edulis.
Valerian is an herb with a variety of uses due to its calming nature, and in fact, the benzodiazepine drug Valium takes its name from valerian due to the long history and well-known properties of valerian, as a sedating herb.
The roots are the most often used and are useful in promoting sleep and calming jangled nerves, but perhaps valerian is most useful due to its effect of relaxing of the smooth muscle of the intestines and uterus when stomach or menstrual cramps are causing discomfort.
The plant can be used in the dry form as capsules or tea but the most effective way to use valerian is in the form of an extract of the fresh plant. As valerian dries a stinky substance called isovaleric acid forms that smells something like dirty socks. Isovaleric acid, if used everyday can contribute to depression so the fresh form of the plant as liquid extract is the most effective and preferred medicine.
At Taos Herb Company we use the whole fresh plant harvested in the late spring or early summer.
Consult your health care practitioner about the use of herbs or supplements, especially if you are pregnant, taking prescription medication or administering herbs to children.
Getting to the root of the sedative effects of valerian
- By Shannadora Hollis
The medicinally important sesquiterpenes of Valeriana officinalis are biosynthesized in their roots. Courtesy of the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi.
While plant products continue to be a prime target for drug development, their clinical potential is often curtailed by scientists’ inability to identify and synthesize sufficient and consistent levels of the plant’s bioactive components. This has proved to be the case for the plant Valeriana officinalis, commonly known as valerian.
For a recent study published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, researchers at the University of Kentucky set out to examine the biosynthesis of valerian in hopes of elucidating where valerenadiene, the plant’s proposed bioactive component, is expressed and how it is synthesized.
Historical and biochemical origins of valerian Valeriana officinalis is a perennial native to Europe and Asia. It was used as a medicinal herb in ancient Greece and Rome for the treatment of insomnia, with its therapeutic uses described by the likes of Hippocrates and Galen (1, 2).
This tradition continues today. Herbal preparations of valerian still are used as a remedy for insomnia as well as anxiety. The biological activities of the plant are attributed to valeranone, valerenadiene and valerenic acid (3). These compounds are typically found in the plant roots and are derived from a larger class of chemicals known as sesquiterpenes. Valeranone may be derived from germacrene, while the biosynthetic precursor for valerenic acid is thought to be valerena-1,10-diene, also known as valerenadiene.
Valerian’s chemical structure: unraveling the sesquiterpene isobutanyl side chain According to Joe Chappell, professor of plant biochemistry at the University of Kentucky and director of the Medicinal Plant Consortium, “Chemicals like you find in Valeriana, especially the sesquiterpene molecules, have represented a conceptual challenge ... because they’re very unique in their structure.”
More specifically, sesquiterpenes contain an isobutenyl side chain. The origin of this evolutionarily conserved functional group has been enigmatic, as a chemical rationalization for its biosynthesis has not been readily apparent. “Chemists have pondered how these molecules can be made biosynthetically for well over 100 years,” adds Chappell.
To understand how the biosynthesis of such chemicals and their respective substituent groups occurs, chemists often start from the beginning of the process: by looking at the enzymes that catalyze the biochemical reactions of interest. “One would have to go in and study the enzymes themselves to really understand how you get this unique isobutenyl side chain,” Chappell says.
This fundamental chemistry principle led researchers to attempt to identify the enzymes that catalyze the biosynthesis of valerena-1,10-diene, the structurally elusive isobutenyl side chain-bearing sesquiterpene.
Identifying valerian’s catalytic enzyme: reaching into the bioinformatic toolbox “Plants harbor an unbelievable array of molecules. Many of these molecules are made by enzymatic catalysts that use unprecedented chemical transformations,” says Sarah O’Connor, co-director of the Medicinal Plant Consortium. “With the increasing availability of plant sequence data, along with the bioinformatic tools to mine it, we can find these enzymes much more rapidly.”
This was precisely the approach employed by Chappell et al. in the valerian study. The investigators first used the Medicinal Plant Genomics Resource and Medicinal Plant Metabolomics Resource. These searchable and downloadable online databases were made available to the research community in 2011 as part of an ongoing initiative to study how plant genes contribute to the production of various chemical compounds and to assist in the advancement of plant-derived drug development.
The project, led by Chappell, was part of a $6 million collaborative Grand Opportunities grant through the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Researchers from seven institutions studied the genes and chemical profiles of 14 plants known for medicinal properties, including Valeriana officinalis. More specifically, they determined the DNA sequences and expression profiles of the transcriptomes and the associated metabolomes of the plants, thereby allowing identification of candidate pathway genes.
The researchers took advantage of these bioinformatic tools to study Valeriana officinalis, using the databases to screen the various valerian tissue types (leaves, flowers, roots, etc.) for metabolites that yielded fragment ions with a mass-to-charge ratio characteristic of a derivative of valerena-1,10-diene.
Several ions meeting this criterion were found exclusively in the root tissues. One corresponded to an acetylated sesquiterpenoid diol. Sesquiterpenoids are biochemically modified sesquiterpenes. Their formation is catalyzed by the enzyme terpene synthase. Thus, the presence of this modified sesquiterpene in the root of valerian suggested that the terpene synthase(s) responsible for the biosynthesis of valerenadiene also might be in the root.
Chappell and his team identified seven possible Valeriana officinalis terpene synthase (VoTPS) gene candidates that may be involved in the synthesis of valerena-1,10-diene. To biochemically characterize these putative genes, cell-free extracts from E. coli expressing each of the VoTPS cDNAs encoding for the respective genes were expressed and analyzed to determine their enzymatic activity and reaction products.
Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, the team determined that the reaction product of one of the candidate terpene synthase genes, VoTPS1, was valerenadiene. This confirmed that VoTPS1 was indeed the enzyme responsible for the catalysis of the sesquiterpene.
Revisiting “paper-pencil chemistry” to fill in the mechanistic gaps With the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of valerena-1,10-diene identified, researchers next relied on the biosynthetic logic of their scientific predecessors to shed light on the origin of the sesquiterpene’s enigmatic isobutenyl side chain. Joseph D. Connolly, a chemist at the University of Glasgow, previously addressed this mechanistic uncertainty by suggesting the possible involvement of a caryophyllene intermediate. Caryophyllene is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene that is notable for having a cyclobutane ring — a rarity in nature.
“Dr. Connolly was one of the theoretical chemists that were thinking about how you get this isobutenyl group,” Chappell explains. “He proposed the intermediate as a way to get the four-carbon substituent group generated. We took his suggestion of the caryophyllene intermediate…played pretty hard with it in paper-pencil chemistry, and we ultimately came up with a proposal for how the chemical transformation occurred…Then we wanted to test it by looking at 13C incorporation into valerenadiene. We could make a prediction about what carbons would be adjacent to one another in the molecule using NMR techniques.”
The team observed a mechanism consistent with the expected labeling pattern of the proposed caryophyllene reaction mechanism for valerena-1,10-diene catalysis by VoTPS1. In this mechanism, C1 forms a bond with C11 of farnesyl diphosphate, the substrate for terpene synthases. This results in the formation of a caryophyllenyl carbocation, followed by opening of the cyclobutyl ring to yield the desired isobutenyl side chain.
Is it time to put the enigma to bed? Medicinal plants produce a wealth of pharmaceutical compounds. Unfortunately, the metabolic pathways involved in the synthesis of these compounds remain poorly understood. Elucidating these pathways has been difficult in part due to the limited availability of genetic resources for these plants.
Thanks to state-of-the-art, high-throughput genomic and transcriptomic sequencing resources and bioinformatic tools, research in the life sciences has experienced what many would consider a revolution. For the first time, these advances have been extended to the medicinal plant arena on a broad scale, and their influence is prominent in this study on Valeriana officinalis.
According to Fabricio Medina-Bolivar, professor of plant metabolic engineering and vice president of the American Council for Medicinally Active Plants, “This work opens the doors to study the biosynthesis of related sesquiterpenes and highlights the importance of newly available transcriptomic data to identify key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of medicinally active compounds.”
Valerian has created quite a buzz in the scientific community, as evidenced by numerous clinical trials involving the plant (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). Although the biological activities of valerian are attributed to sesquiterpenes, whether these compounds are responsible for the reported sedative effects of the plant “remains to be seen,” says Chappell.
“We have now provided the research community with a means for producing this compound [valerenadiene] by itself in high yields and with a high purity,” he says. “Now there will be lots of follow-up testing to determine if this is really the molecule that is providing the anti-anxiety and sleep induction benefits.”
Health Flash: Valerian sleep herb
- Source:http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/health-flash-valerian-sleep-herb/story-fnek2iul-1226813994869
- By Mim Beim
VALERIAN has been a sleep herb throughout history
Valerian is the herb most people link to sleep. It also helps reduce anxiety and relax muscle tension. During World War I, it was used to treat returning soldiers' shell shock - these days, diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Studies have shown that valerian can be useful for people suffering insomnia, helping them to fall asleep and stay asleep, as well as improving sleep quality.
However, sometimes, valerian can have the opposite effect. In these rare cases, known as a paradoxical reaction, the herb acts as a stimulant, exacerbating the problem of sleeplessness. Anyone who reacts to it in this way should avoid valerian.
Valerian: Help for Post-Menopausal Insomnia?
- By Dr. Michael J. Breus (Clinical Psychologist; Board Certified Sleep Specialist)
Here’s some potentially good news for the millions of women who are coping with insomnia as a consequence of menopause: A recent study indicates that the herbal supplement valerian is an effective treatment for women with post-menopausal insomnia.
Researchers at the University of Tehran examined the effects of valerian on post-menopausal women suffering from insomnia. One hundred women between the ages of 50-60 participated in the study. All the women had reported problems with insomnia. The women were divided into two groups: The first group was given a twice-daily dose of valerian for two weeks and the second group received a placebo. The women who received valerian experienced a significant improvement in the quality of their sleep, compared to those in the placebo group. Researchers reported that 30 percent of women who took valerian for the two-week study period saw a positive change in their sleep quality, compared with 4 percent of women in the placebo group.
Valerian, a flowering plant that is native to both Europe and Asia and is now also grown in North America, has long been used medicinally, particularly for sleep — the ancient Greeks wrote about its power in treating sleeplessness. It is the plant’s root that is cultivated and processed for use in supplements, which have been popular and widely available for decades. There has been no significant research into the long-term effects of valerian use, which is a significant omission — as with any medicinal sleep aid, “herbal” or not, we need an understanding of its effects on the body over the long term, both in terms of its safety and its effectiveness. The short-term side effects of valerian, however, we know to be relatively mild, consisting of headaches and stomach upset.
Women face challenges to sleep throughout their lives, but menopause often brings with it particularly difficult obstacles to sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 61 percent of post-menopausal women report experiencing some degree of insomnia. What happens during menopause that wreaks such havoc with sleep? There are several factors:
• Hormone shifts. Starting in peri-menopause, the hormones estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate, and these short-term shifts can be disruptive to sleep. Over the course of menopause, the body’s levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease. Both estrogen and progesterone have effects on sleep, and the new, decreased, post-menopausal levels of these critical hormones can make sleep more difficult.
• Physical symptoms. Menopause brings about a number of physical symptoms that can be very uncomfortable and also challenging to sleep. Hot flashes in particular can pose frequent interruptions to a woman’s nightly sleep, leaving her feeling fatigued and sleep deprived. Over time, interrupted sleep can take on a life of it’s own—insomnia and disrupted sleep can persist even after the hot flashes have disappeared.
• Mood changes. The process of menopause has not only significant physical changes, but also emotional ones. Some women will experience depression, anxiety and other mood disorders in greater frequency during menopause. These mood-related shifts can be a cause of sleep deficiency — they can also be a consequence of insufficient sleep.
Lack of sleep during and after menopause can be disruptive to a woman’s overall physical health, and also to her general sense of well being and quality of life. One recent survey indicated that 76 percent of women who experienced insomnia related to menopause reported a moderate to significant impact on their quality of life. More than a third — 34 percent — said their intimate lives were affected.
Women and their physicians are not talking about sleep problems nearly as much as they need to be. A recent survey revealed that 62 percent of women who participated had not spoken with their doctors about their problem sleeping. If that’s not bad enough, here’s an even more distressing piece of data: Of the women who did talk with their doctors about their struggles with sleep, 90 percent reported having to initiate the topic themselves. We can — and must — do better than this, both as patients and physicians.
Valerian may be a promising option for post-menopausal women experiencing insomnia, but I do encourage my patients to try making adjustments to their regular habits and choices as a first step before pursuing any sleep aid — and make no mistake, even herbal remedies are chemicals in the body. Here are some options to consider:
- • Exercise, especially early in the day. Physical activity is a mood booster for the rest of the day, and exercise in the morning, especially in sunlight, can help strengthen our circadian clocks, which weaken as we age.
- • Limit caffeine. Start by cutting yourself off from caffeine to later than 2 p.m. Your morning cup of coffee may still be okay, but if you continue to have trouble sleeping, it may be time to consider pulling that no-caffeine deadline back even earlier.
- • Mind-body exercise. Yoga, tai chi — these disciplines work to strengthen both the physical and the mental self, and there are indications they provide benefits for sleep.
- • Talk to you doctor. This one is a must, for everyone. Make sleep a part of your regular conversation with your doctor. Don’t wait for the topic to come up on it’s own — initiate the conversation. And always consult your physician before adding a chemical sleep aid — even an herbal one — to your regimen.
- Sweet Dreams,
- Michael J. Breus, PhD
- The Sleep Doctor™
Valerian Root for Sleep Improvement
- Source:http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/valerian-root-for-sleep-improvement-zbcz1503.aspx
- By Chelsea Clark (Natural Health Advisory Institute)
Have trouble falling and staying asleep? Suffer from insomnia or another sleep disorder? No one enjoys lying awake at night trying, to no avail, to drift into sleep. While over-the-counter sleep medications or prescription drugs might be tempting to combat a sleepless night, they don’t always work and can put you at risk for several negative side effects, such as cognitive impairment. These can be especially dangerous for youth. Instead, look to all-natural herbal solutions, such as valerian root, for sleep disorder and insomnia treatment.
- What Is Valerian Root?
Valerian is an herb that has yellowish-brown roots, dark green leaves, and white and pink flowers. The root of this plant has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. Primarily, valerian is known for it’s sedative qualities, which can help to increase sleepiness, as well as to decrease nervousness and restlessness. In many European countries, valerian root extract is a commonly used, approved over-the-counter medicine for the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and disturbed sleep.
Valerian has a variety of active compounds that give it these sedative qualities. These include valerenic acid, amino acids, and more. Although the mechanism is not entirely known, researchers do know that valerian root extracts increase the activity of GABA, one of the body’s main neurotransmitters that reduces excitability of the nervous system. By doing so, valerian has a calming effect in the body.
- Does Valerian Improve Sleep Quality?
Studies have found significant improvements in sleep quality, the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, and the depth of sleep in studies using valerian root. One review found that valerian may decrease the time it takes to fall asleep by 14 to 17 minutes. Another study found that 530 mg daily of valerian root significantly improved insomnia symptoms in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 60 years old.
Valerian root can mimic the effects of some anti-anxiety and sleep medications, but it is without side effects and is considered very safe. One of the main advantages of valerian is that it does not produce a “hangover” effect, meaning that no side effects are felt upon waking. It is also useful for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and restlessness, as well.
- A Combination of Herbs Is Often Most Effective
Valerian alone may produce substantial benefits and can help you to fall asleep and stay asleep, but many studies show that using valerian in combination with other sedative herbs is extremely effective. Try valerian with hops extract (Humulus lupulus), which has been shown to increase time spent sleeping as well as time spent in deeper sleep. Lemon balm and valerian is another effective combination, which can be used in children to help reduce restlessness and promote healthy sleep. How to Use Valerian Root for Sleep Improvement
Valerian can be purchased as a dietary supplement. The recommended dose ranges from 30 to 600 mg daily about 30 minutes to two hours before bedtime. You might also try valerian root tea, which can be found in natural groceries. Drink a cup of tea before bed to promote sleep.
Visit Natural Health Advisory Institute for more tips on how to relieve insomnia and get a better night’s rest.
Photos of Valerian Herb, Flowers, Plants and leaves
Valerian flowers
Valerain Leaves
Valerian flowers and pods
Young Valerian plant
Valerian as Wall decoration
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