People love using valerian root for anxiety, but is it safe, and does it even work?
We asked top experts for the lowdown.
Its been usedsince the first century CE, initially mainlyto relieve bloating and gas and to stimulate menstruation.
Its been used to treat anxiety and sleep problems.
However, she cautions against the herb for her patients.
Many natural substances are quite psychoactively potent, cocaine and heroin being two of the obvious ones.
board-certified psychiatrist and director of the Center for Green Psychiatry in West Lake Hills, Texas
Not all experts are as skeptical, though they do stress caution.
Prescription drugs like alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium) also target GABA receptors.
Additionally, the research on valerian root is unconvincing at best,especially for anxiety.
Most studies are small and poorly designed.
The researchers noted that the erratic findings could be due to the variable quality of herbal extracts.
The general consensus is that valerian can be a useful treatment for some forms of anxiety and insomnia.
They can interact and cause awful toxic effects, says Dr. McCann.
Dont think you might use it just like youre eating salad, because it is a psychoactive compound.
It needs to be treated with great caution.
board-certified psychiatrist and director of the Center for Green Psychiatry in West Lake Hills, Texas
She adds that every individual responds differently to various substances, natural or prescribed.
People may develop tolerance or dependence, says Dr. McCann.
(It also might not be safe for people who are pregnant.)
How much valerian is safe to take?
I ensure there arent any known interactions between other medications or supplements they are taking, Dr. Brown says.
Studied dosages tend to be 400 to 600 mg total of dry extract per day.
However, specific dosage will vary depending on what your doctor recommends.
Other options to treat anxiety and sleep problems
A safer bet to naturally treat anxiety and insomnia?
Dr. McCann suggests seeing a licensed mental health-care provider for cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT.
If youre open to tested pharmacological treatments for anxiety-related issues, Dr. McCann says the first-line treatment are SSRIs.
Theres a handful of them, and not every one works for everyone.
It can be trial and error, even with an FDA-regulated drug like an SSRI.
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