Join us in exploring the remarkable benefits, drawbacks, and usage methods of the herb valerian—a highly advantageous plant. The utilization of herbal medicines presents a cost-effective and potentially less side-effect-ridden alternative to chemical drugs. These plants have garnered significant interest from both individuals and traditional medicine researchers due to their enhanced compatibility and adaptation to the human body, as well as their availability. A profound understanding of the medicinal properties inherent in plants can greatly enhance our quality of life.
Within this Plants Folder post, we aim to delve into valerian, shedding light on its numerous advantages, disadvantages, and recommended application techniques. Come and embark on this enlightening journey with us!
Name and Appearance
Valerian, also known by its scientific name Valeriana officinalis, is an herbaceous perennial plant of the Valerianaceae family. It is widely distributed in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. This plant is native to Europe and Asia, and while it grows wild in forests with few trees, about 200 species of it are cultivated in Europe and Asia and are often used for medical purposes. However, according to research, the wild types have more properties.
Its underground root is short, sturdy, and bushy, and reaches a height of 50 to 150 centimeters. The plant’s hollow stem, which can grow up to 2 meters, branches off at its end and has opposite leaves and flowers in white or pink colors and a cluster arrangement. Its fruits are elongated, four-lined, and single-seeded. The most part of it that is used in medicinal applications is its root. The root of this plant has high medicinal value in traditional medicine and is used as a sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, digestive, and anti-flatulence.
The different components of its root include essential oils such as valeric acid, alkaloids, and free amino acids such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), tyrosine, arginine, and glutamine. The name of the amino acid valine is even taken from this plant. The sedative compounds valernal and valerenic acid present in them are among the strongest herbal sedatives, and drugs for the treatment of insomnia. Its root has one percent essential oil, and the same one percent is more in its fresh root, with time, the amount in the root that gradually dries decreases, but its smell becomes stronger.
The color of this essential oil is initially greenish-yellow, but the longer it passes, the thicker it becomes. Its fresh root has three times more medicinal effects than its dried root.
Please note that this plant loses all its medicinal properties at high temperatures and should be dried at low temperatures. After drying, it turns brown, and its aroma increases. It is worth mentioning that the root of a plant that is more than three years old is usually used. The extract containing actinidine has a strong resemblance to the pheromones of cats. Due to this resemblance, the distinctive scent of this plant can be detected by cats from a distance, attracting them and having a similar effect to a stimulant on them. For this reason, it is also called “catnip.” It also has a similar effect on field mice.
Properties
Pain relief
Valerian acts as a sedative and directly affects the nervous system. According to a study, all extracts and oils containing this plant have a significant sedative effect on mice, and its oil also enhances the effectiveness of aspirin.
Migraine pain reliever
According to scientists, this herbal medicine increases the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, and its root relieves migraine symptoms by regulating nerve cells and its sedative effect.
Treatment of Parkinson’s disease
According to research, the extract of this herbal medicine has beneficial effects on Parkinson’s disease, which is caused by a metabolic imbalance of mitochondria.
Reduced blood pressure
The root of this plant helps to relax the mind and body and lowers blood pressure by helping to improve heart health. The active compounds present in it reduce stress and anxiety, and in general, regulate blood pressure. Its root supplements naturally lower blood pressure, prevent stroke and heart attack caused by high blood pressure and help to improve overall heart health.
Muscle pain relief
Its root, with its sedative properties on the nervous system, helps to relieve muscle pain. According to a study in 2005, the extract of its root has a significant effect in reducing tension and spasms of the digestive muscles. Its root is likely to affect cells through potassium channels and may have a positive effect on diseases that affect the digestive, cardiac, and vascular muscles.
Other Properties
Valerian is a good substitute for benzodiazepines and can even help to improve the withdrawal symptoms and help to quit the addictions caused by it. According to research, consuming this plant when quitting anti-anxiety drugs helps the consuming patients to have better sleep. With its sedative properties, it relieves the physical and psychological pains caused by withdrawal in the patient. This herbal medicine improves digestive problems by reducing muscle spasms. And it can be used to relieve stomach cramps and reduce intestinal contractions. According to a study, consuming it in people with high cholesterol prevents kidney diseases.
Contraindications
- Although short-term use of valerian in medicinal amounts is generally safe for most adults, it is important to note that no studies have been conducted on the effects or side effects of long-term use of this herb on humans, so it may pose risks. Some people have claimed that after taking this herb, they have experienced problems such as headaches, dizziness, mental slowness, anxiety, heart problems, and digestive problems such as stomach pain diarrhea, and weakness.
- It is recommended that pregnant or breastfeeding women avoid taking it because there is no information on the effectiveness or benefit of it on them, so not taking it by this at-risk group is the best option. In addition, its consumption as a brewed tea is prohibited for children under three years old because there is again no information on its potential risks.
- Those who drink tea during the day to reduce or control anxiety should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. Because its consumption causes dizziness and drowsiness and may be dangerous.
- Drinking its tea can enhance the effects of sedative drugs or some herbal medicines and dietary supplements with similar effects. They can also enhance the effects of valerian tea in turn. Therefore, avoid taking it with barbiturates or similar drugs.
- If you are taking prescription drugs to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, or other psychiatric disorders, avoid eating valerian tea because its tea increases the sedative effect of antidepressants such as benzodiazepines (lorazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, alprazolam, temazepam, etc.) and is likely to interact with cyclosporine (a type of immunosuppressant drug) and some antibiotics.
- Avoid taking valerian for at least two weeks before surgery as it may interact with anesthetics and potentiate their effects.
- Its root may prevent some drugs from being broken down by the liver, or slow down their breakdown process, causing them to accumulate in your body or reduce their effectiveness.
How to use
Valerian tea
To make this herbal tea, if you do not want to use tea bags, put a tablespoon of the leaves of the plant in a cup of water and heat it on the stove until the temperature reaches slightly below 100 degrees Celsius. Or you can wait for a minute after the water boils to cool down a bit. Before drinking, wait for the tea to brew well, the longer the brewing time, the stronger the taste and the more its properties. Then, separate the valerian leaves with a filter and enjoy the tea. You can add some milk or honey to flavor and sweeten it.
Valerian and Echium tea
To make the tea, add 5 grams of Echium, 10 grams of valerian, and three lemon slices to a pot and add boiling water to them. Wait 10 minutes for it to brew and then enjoy it with some honey as desired.
Valerian powder
To make valerian powder, chop the root and dry it at 40 degrees Celsius. Grind it and sieve it. This powder is used as an anticonvulsant, and you can consume 5 to 10 grams of it daily.
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