14 Valerian Root Benefits (Based Scientific Evidence)
Valariana Officianalis (VO) is plan native to parts of Asia and Europe. The plant belongs to family of Velerianaceae.
Valerian root names was taken from Latin. Valarae, meaning “to be healthy“. Another name of valerian is all heal. In England it was named setwall. In Germany it was named baldrianwurzel. Greece call it phu. Other call it garden valerian.
What is valerian root?
VO is one of the natural ingredients. VO used as a traditional medicine. The most popular about the VO benefits is cure insomnia. But we will talk about other benefits of it. The metabolism of this valerian root happens in the liver. That is why usage of this natural medicine needs strict supervision. Because the possibility of damage to this organ will be worst.
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Liver is the largest organ in human body. It is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity. As the largest in our body, so we need to keep it healthy. Liver performs many critical functions. For example and the best one, it is the hero to fight with hazard. But the function of liver varies and depends of the unique blood system and the highly specialized cells.
CONTENTS OF VALERIAN ROOT
Before we talk about VO with so many benefits. We need to know the contents containing in it. Chemical contains of it depending on growing condition, variety, and age of the pant. For valerian extract chemical contains of it depending on the types and storage time.
These are contents in one stem Valerian root:
Alkaloid;
This is nitrogenous base classes of compounds that contained in plants like VO. But it is also derived from animals. In VO extracts of valerian also contains:
Aktinidin;
Katinin;
Valeriianin;
Valerin
Beta Caryophyllene
Bornil acetate;
In VO varieties pratensis there is 35% bornil acetate but in VO varieties illyrica just 0,45%.
Champor;
Essential Oil (0,2 – 0,8%);
This oil contains bornil acetate. The main component is bornil isovalerianat.
Ester Epoksivalerianat;
Gamma Aminobutyric acid (GABA);
This is neutransmitter base with sedative effects of valerian. This compunds containing others contents, namely:
Flavanones;
Hesperidin
Linarin;
Metilapigenin.
Isovaleramida;
Methyl Ketone Pirolil;
Monoterpenoid;
Sesquiterpenoid;
Valeric Acid;
Valepotriate;
Valeranon;
Valerenal;
Valerinat Acid.
This plant has many benefits. But there some that has proof and others not. So let us separate them in two places. First benefits without proven or any reference, namely:
Benefits of valerian roots with story of proven. This is it.
1. Sedatives
Tranquilizer is some of many kinds of medicines with sleepy effects. Tranquilizer must use a doctor prescription. This type is not sold freely in pharmacies. This is why this lucky plant with many benefits is referred as alternative to benzodiazepine. This plant contains sedative function. The effects of valerian roots have two types: is calming and sleepy.
Benzodiazepines as calming medicine are prescribed for those who are depressed and anxious. It is only used for short time treatment. VO is big answer for sedative and calming thing. Nature thing is always the best part for helping.
READ MORE: Lack of sleep side effects: This Is What Happens To Your Brain On No Sleep
Liver is the largest organ in human body. It is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity. As the largest in our body, so we need to keep it healthy. Liver performs many critical functions. For example and the best one, it is the hero to fight with hazard. But the function of liver varies and depends of the unique blood system and the highly specialized cells.
CONTENTS OF VALERIAN ROOT
Before we talk about VO with so many benefits. We need to know the contents containing in it. Chemical contains of it depending on growing condition, variety, and age of the pant. For valerian extract chemical contains of it depending on the types and storage time.
These are contents in one stem Valerian root:
Alkaloid;
This is nitrogenous base classes of compounds that contained in plants like VO. But it is also derived from animals. In VO extracts of valerian also contains:
Aktinidin;
Katinin;
Valeriianin;
Valerin
Beta Caryophyllene
Bornil acetate;
In VO varieties pratensis there is 35% bornil acetate but in VO varieties illyrica just 0,45%.
Champor;
Essential Oil (0,2 – 0,8%);
This oil contains bornil acetate. The main component is bornil isovalerianat.
Ester Epoksivalerianat;
Gamma Aminobutyric acid (GABA);
This is neutransmitter base with sedative effects of valerian. This compunds containing others contents, namely:
Flavanones;
Hesperidin
Linarin;
Metilapigenin.
Isovaleramida;
Methyl Ketone Pirolil;
Monoterpenoid;
Sesquiterpenoid;
Valeric Acid;
Valepotriate;
Valeranon;
Valerenal;
Valerinat Acid.
BENEFITS OF VALERIAN ROOT
This plant has many benefits. But there some that has proof and others not. So let us separate them in two places. First benefits without proven or any reference, namely:
- Clearing Sound;
- Cure cholera;
- Valerian oil helping for this curing
- Dietary Supplement
- Valerian roots extract can used as additive in herbs.
- Relieves migraine and rheumatism;
- Eliminate Dandruff
- Some reference said that valerian tincture
- Strengthen the work of heart;
- Lowering blood pressure;
- Lozenges;
- Mouse bait;
- Relieves pain or cramps due to menstruation and manopause;
- Relieves toothache;
Benefits of valerian roots with story of proven. This is it.
1. Sedatives
Tranquilizer is some of many kinds of medicines with sleepy effects. Tranquilizer must use a doctor prescription. This type is not sold freely in pharmacies. This is why this lucky plant with many benefits is referred as alternative to benzodiazepine. This plant contains sedative function. The effects of valerian roots have two types: is calming and sleepy.
Benzodiazepines as calming medicine are prescribed for those who are depressed and anxious. It is only used for short time treatment. VO is big answer for sedative and calming thing. Nature thing is always the best part for helping.
READ MORE: Lack of sleep side effects: This Is What Happens To Your Brain On No Sleep
2. Anxiety Disorders Treatment
According to the first benefits, VO with benzodiazepine can help in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and anxiety disorder related. VO are superior as nature thing for this kind of disorder. Need to know that VO also effective for panic disorder.
According to the first benefits, VO with benzodiazepine can help in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and anxiety disorder related. VO are superior as nature thing for this kind of disorder. Need to know that VO also effective for panic disorder.
3. Spasmolytic
This benefit does not need long explanation. Calming effects of valerian roots can help for convulsions.
4. Insomnia Treatment
In the days of ancient Greece and Rome VO has been known as sleeping pill. This plants was described the properties by Hippocrates. Then, Galen wrote down the benefits. He prescribed that VO can help for insomnia treatment. VO also can used sometimes to reduce night sleep disorder before surgery.
This lucky plant was more widely used as an insomnia medicine. Until it get arrived to North America, Europe, and Japan. (Insomnia: The Surprising Thing Keeping You Awake at Night)
5. Seizure Disorder Treatment
VO can be used for seizure disorder treatment and care. We can use VO in conventional anticonvulsant. To reduce that mortality, VO is solution to epileptic seizure disorder treatment.
7. Mood Disorder Treatment
For mild or moderate depression benzodiazepine in VO can help in treatment process. In the outpatient’s case, benzodiazepine in VO really helps. Advanced treatment or severe depression benzodiazepine still needs.
8. Movement Disorders Treatment
It is effective in many cases of restless legs syndrome. VO with benzodiazepine also really helps for it.
9. Recovery and Intoxication from Alcohol and Others Substance
Everyone with addiction to alcohol and other substances need benzodiazepine for treatment. Especially for addiction complications such as seizures and hyperpyrexia. Hyperpyrekxia is an abnormally condition on our body. Benzodiazepin in nature way can help for this body low temperature.
10. Healing Pain Gastrointestinal
In traditional way, valerian roots can be used to heal gastrointestinal pain. Irritable bowel syndrome can treat also in traditionally. But there is a warning of using this plant continuously. Long term use has not been proven. There is mutagenic compound contain in valerian root extract. It must be used carefully.
11. Antiemetic
Valerian roots like was said above is native of Britain. In that land, VO is used as antiemetic. Valerian roots have benefits also can strengthen the digestive organ and digestive system.
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12. Calming Nerves
Valerian roots have used to suppress the entire central nervous system. Essential oil in it can handle that. So calming effects in valerian root can be stimulants. Essential oil can use to treat hysteria, hypochondriasis, nervous weakness, and epilepsy.
Hypochondriasis is psychological disorder that makes someone feel too scared will get serious illness. This funny disorder can help by roots, Valerian roots. This disorder most commonly will touch man in aged between 20 to 30 years. In some case the sufferers also experienced depression or anxiety. For you who have irritability friends this valerian roots is the best choice.
Use valerian root in 30 gram boiled for 15 minutes. Drink 3-4 times a day. This herb can help from weak nerves.
13. High Fever Treatment
High fever can make sufferers fly. So calming effects in valerian root can be stimulants.
14. Carminative
There is a substance in valerian root that can reduce bloating in the belly. Remove the wind or gas through the gastrointestinal tract. These substances can used to treat colic in babies. Colic is a condition where pain arises regularly in the abdominal area and surrounding.
SIDE EFFECTS OF VALERIAN ROOT
Needs to know, even though VO is useful for medicine but it still limited use. Valerian extract dose varies between 2-10 mg per day. This limited use caused by difficulty of determining the dose. Lack of standardization and variability of valerian extract also a matter. So do not ever valerian roots extract in high doses more than 500 mg. Because it has side effects namely:
Abdominal Pain;
Feeling Foolish Mentally;
Lethargy;
Moderate Depression;
Sleepy ; So this is so clear. Do not ever riding after taking valerian.
We have talk a lot of the benefits of valerian roots. So now we have to know the shape about this plants and another stuff of it.
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VO has two brothers, Valeriana Edulis and Valeriana Wallichii. How to the different of those plant? Just calm, maybe you need VO too. Valerianat acid, Asetoksivalerenat acid, and valerenal compunds of those three plants are the difference.
VO is usefully from roots, branch, and bar sections underground. This plant has small size. The height is only 60 cm. But was harvested to use for medicinal plant. England harvest it because actually is native from. Other country such as Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, and Russia also harvest this plant.
It will be flowering in June until September. Eventhough the flower is so beauty in pink but it is so smelly and sting. It also has sweet taste and bitter. That is because camphor and valeric acid in it. The best part of this survival plant is can grows well in subtropical climate in temperature below 40C. That is why it is also grows well in Asia mainland.
Valerian is an annual shrub form. The trunk upright, soft, slick surface, and with green color in oval shapes. The leave is long about 2 – 4 cm and the width about 1 – 2 cm. The tip and base of leaves is tapered. Valerian has light green petals, smooth white crown, cylindrical white stamen stemmed about 0,2 – 0,4 cm length. The anthers flat in gray, white stemmed pistil about 0,3 – 0,4 cm. The fruit is oval in brown. The seed is black. The roots are tap in light brown.
In Indonesia VO generally can be grown. It does not need specific requirements for growth. VO can grow in many variety of soil. But it is better for wet ground. This plant can grow with full sunshine and partial shade.
We have known the benefits and what is the valerians look like. How about the side effect of it? How about dosage?
DAMAGE FROM LONG TERM USE
These side effects occur after long term use of Valerian Root.
It is very important to know that using valerian roots as natural medicine does not cause any health hazard. A study usage of multi herbal medicine has been reported hepatotoxicity case. Hepatotoxicity is side effects of consume medicine that can damage the cells of liver and surrounding. But in this case, it is need more clarification. Because hepatotoxicity is not clearly potential. There is a possibility combination with others herbs. There are 10 hepatotoxic effects that we must know. So that we can use valerian roots wisely, namely:
Causing granuloma liver cells;
Causing injury to the liver parenchyma; This thing will make encouraging the formation of scar tissue like liver cirrhosis.
Damage the liver portal vein system.
Damage cells of the bile duct slowly; this is happen like symptoms of biliary cirrhosis.
Encourage the occurrence of liver tumors.
Fatty infiltration; This will happen on liver cells.
Inhibit excretion of bile; This will causing obstructive jaundice. It is like symptoms of cholestasis.
Quickly damage of liver parenchymal; Resembling symptoms of acute viral hepatitis.
Slowly damage of liver parenchymal; Resembling symptoms of active chronic hepatitis.
Toxicity research has not been done to many. The research actually very needed. To protect society from possible adverse effects. Toxic effects can make damage for the hero from hazard, liver. The liver is central role in metabolizing all medicine and foreign substances that get in human body. Research about damage that can happen to liver is very needed. Liver will change medicine structure from lipophilic become hydrophilic. Xenobiotic is derived from Greek. Xenobiotics are foreign substances that get in human body.So this is why we needs to carefully use valerian root extract to get in our body.
VALERIAN ROOT DOSAGE
So, for using this natural medicine there are rules. Rule that a must to obey.
1. Must Use Appropriate Dose
If we used according to the dose. It is so rare about gastrointestinal complaints. It was has talked and warned above so many time in each benefits. For long term use the valerian roots extract can be hazard. It can cause many sides effect, namely:
Anxiety;
Cardiac dysfunction;
Headaches;
Lack of sleep;
Mydriasis;
2. Special Usage
There are some kinds of injury or illness that can be worst if use valerian root, namely:
Heart weakness;
Illness due to infection;
Large wound in the skin;
Severe fever;
Skin diseases acute;
When someone has those illness do not ever try to use essential oil or extract of the valerians roots.
3. Concurrent Medication Usage Rules
Animals studies have shown that valerian have additive effects. When used in combination with benzodiazepin and barbiturates. Benzodiazepines as calming medicine are only used for short time treatment. Actually everyone does not like to consume medicine every day. But someone needs to use valerians root for long time term. It is not recommended. Please consult a doctor id your pain is still ongoing.
Barbiturates are a group of sedative that reduce activity in the brain. Barbiturates are mainly used for mild sedation, general anesthesia, and treatment for some types of epilepsy.
4. Do Not Consume With Alcohol
Eventhough there is no complaints of depressive effects when combined with alcohol. But use of valerians roots with alcohol is not recommended. The only one reason is the sedatice effects of valerian. The substances of this valerian root be addictive and may be fatal when taken with alcohol.
Actually for who want quickly wat to get hung over. This the best way. But sorry to say. In the world of medicine, it does not recommended. But I guess somebody after read this will try in solitude.
5. Prohibited Activity After Use
After use valerians root, it is not recommended at all to operate heavy machinery and control vehicle a few hours after application. It is recommended to get rest after using this natural medicine.
THANKS FOR READING THESE HEALTH BENEFITS OF VALERIAN ROOTS.
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
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Thanks very much Dr. Appiah for sharing this🙏🙏💥💥💥
Fantastic Post! Lot of information is helpful in some or the other way. Keep updating valerian root extract