Evidence supporting the use of: Valerian root
For the health condition: Insomnia

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) has a long history of traditional use as a remedy for insomnia and other sleep disorders, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. Its popularity persists in modern herbal medicine, and it is widely available as a dietary supplement marketed for sleep support. The proposed mechanisms include modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, which may have a calming effect and promote sleep.

Scientific validation for valerian's efficacy in treating insomnia is limited and somewhat inconsistent. Numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have examined valerian's effects. Some studies report modest improvements in subjective sleep quality, latency, and duration, while others show no significant benefit over placebo. A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis in Sleep Medicine concluded that while valerian may have a mild positive effect on sleep quality, the evidence is weakened by methodological issues, small sample sizes, and heterogeneity among studies.

Valerian is generally regarded as safe for short-term use, but more rigorous, large-scale studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and optimal dosing. In summary, while valerian root is widely used and has some scientific support for its use in mild insomnia, the strength of evidence is low to moderate, leading to a rating of 2 out of 5.

More about valerian root
More about Insomnia

Other ingredients used for Insomnia

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
calcium
California poppy
cassia bark
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
fennel
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
heartwood
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
maca
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
ophiopogon root
orange
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
tangerine
anise
blackboard tree
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
ganoderma
lotus seed
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
aster root
peach
wood betony
goji berry
soursop
Aralia
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Angelica
Apigenin
Anamu
Albizia
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Agrimonia pilosa
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Blackthorn
Balsam
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Banyan
Brahmi
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bupleurum
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cactus
Cyathula
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cannabinol
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Cherimoya
Corydalis
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
David's Milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut