Valerian - is this safe?

contributed by scottfree 29 Jan | 17:01


Is it safe to take valerian sleeping tablets? Will they make you addicted like prescription sleeping pills? Can you overdose on them? I have seen these at Boots and wondered about them.

Topics / Keywords added by the author:

From Lancashire (UK) in the 2000s

I have heard of this:

7 out of 9 people have heard of this.

add comment

Do you know of any alternative approaches? Are you aware of any similar ones?

You need to be logged in to comment.

comments

  • Rune says:

    06 Feb | 17:38

    It's best if you have a word with the pharmacist where you're thinking of buying them and tell him what other prescription and herbal remedies you're taking. Valerian is not suitable for anyone who is also taking SSRI anti-depressants. You can overdose on anything if you have too much of it, herbal medicines are just as potent as other medicines. Never exceed the recommended dose. Valerian's not physically addictive, but like anything you take over a long period of time, you can think you need it. As with everything, only take it when you have to.***This is from HolisticOnline "Safety Valerian has a long history of exceptional safety, which has been confirmed by clinical studies. In 1995 a woman in Utah attempted suicide by taking about twenty times the recommended dose. She was discharged from the hospital the next day, undamaged...." continued at http://www.holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h26.htm

  • cyberanswer says:

    22 Apr | 02:55

    I think Valerian is great if you can take it, however for me it causes night terrors after about 3 weeks of taking it. "Few adverse events attributable to valerian have been reported and those that were reported were related to the use of very high doses. Large doses or chronic use may result in stomach ache, apathy, and a feeling of mental dullness or mild depression. In some individuals (as mentioned in the paragraph above), valerian can cause stomach ache, anxiety, and night terrors." For further research Google "Valerian night terrors" or "Valerian review". To get around this I am going to try Valerian in a sleep pillow.

  • annelienaturopath says:

    22 Apr | 10:14

    hi there, As a herbalist I don't typically use Valerian. It can work wonders however you have to have the right constitution. Valerian is a very warming herb meaning that with some people it can irritate your mind and make the isomnia worse. If you are looking for a sleep remedy in a pill or tablet form I highly recommend Asphalia - a great herbal remedy for insomnia. You can buy it online or in one of the Wholefoods stores. Annelie

  • 22 Apr | 10:14

    A comment was removed from here because it was inappropriate or for another similar reason.

  • clareandbabydylan says:

    05 Feb | 13:05

    I have taken valarian root pills for sleeplessness due to quite imporant exams and they have worked wonders, but i found valarian root, hops and rose (Wormword, A) in a diffuser works just as well, or you could try varian tea, there are lots of differnt ways to take it really, all the best x

About the site | Help | © Channel 4 Television Corporation

Important Information: The information provided on this website is not to be treated as medical advice or any recommendation to try or use any of the remedies described. This information is intended to be used as a historical record only. It is not a substitute in any way for the advice of a qualified medical practitioner.