Ingredient Library, Valerian Root

Valerian Root as a Natural Sedative and Anxiolytic: Improving Sleep Quality and Reducing Anxiety with Favorable Safety

Valerian root may also help with sleep issues and the anxiety-related symptoms that often accompany them. According to a systematic review of 60 studies, valerian has been shown to be beneficial for improving subjective perceptions of sleep quality and, potentially, reducing feelings of anxiety. In terms of safety, valerian appears to carry low risk. Many studies have concluded that the efficacy of valerian depends on the how pure the extract is, how accurate the chemical stability of the active ingredient is and what other extracts were used in combination with it. Extracts from the entire root/rhizome, as well as those that were formulated specifically to create synergy between the extracts, are believed to provide the greatest benefit when aiding with sleep and mood, calming an anxious mind and diminishing the amount of time required to fall asleep.

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Valepotriates from Valerian Root Protect Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Enhancing Antioxidant Defense

Valerian extract is comprised of several active components, specifically valepotriates, that demonstrate effective antioxidant activity and cardioprotective properties. Valepotriates have been demonstrated in animal studies to reduce myocardial damage following ischemic insult via increased myocardial antioxidant production and decreased oxidative stress indices (i.e., lipid peroxidation), therefore reducing reperfusion injury and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in rats. Research also indicates that the cardioprotective properties of valerian are likely mediated through the enhancement of the body's antioxidant defense systems such as GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD.

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Valerenic Acid and Pinoresinol from Valerian Root Promote Sleep by Potentiating Adenosine A1 Receptor Signaling

Valerian extract contains the active components Valerenic acid and pinoresinol that facilitate sleep through their modulatory effect on adensine A1 Receptor (A1AR) activity. These two compounds work as positive allosteric modulators that increase adenosine signaling and suppress neuronal activity thus helping to transition to sleep. According to a review of studies, Valerian extract may be an effective adjunct treatment for sleep disorders because its active components acting on the A1AR enhance the regulatory effects of endogenously produced adenosine on sleep patterns. Additionally, through the compositions within Valerian as a natural sleep aid the two active ingredients, Valerenic acid and pinoresinol, display significant selectivity to their target receptor and alleviates many of the adverse effects associated with nonselective sleep-inducing agents.

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Valerian Root for Sleep and Anxiety: A Systematic Review of 60 Studies on Efficacy, Safety, and the Role of Extract Quality and Formulation

Valarium Root may aid in the alleviation of insomnia and other conditions with regards to anxiety. A comprehensive review of 60 research studies, which were published between 1990-2001, looked at the potential of Valeriana to improve sleep quality while reducing anxiety symptoms; however, because of its high safety profile across all age groups. The existing research suggests that the ability for Valerians to achieve their desired effects is highly dependent on the quality of the extract and its active ingredients; therefore, the active ingredients and the quality of the extract can also play an important role in determining Valeriana’s efficacy. The use of whole root / rhizomes extracts combined with rational formulation combinations of active ingredients may produce the desired effects of sedative, sleep-inducing and mood-regulating properties of Valerian root.

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