Valerian 

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb valerian—common 

names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. 

Valerian is a plant native to Europe and Asia; it is also found in North America. 

Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient 

Greece and Rome. Its therapeutic uses were described by Hippocrates, and in 

the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia. 

Common Names—valerian, all-heal, garden heliotrope 

Latin Name—Valeriana officinalis 

What It Is Used For 

•	 Valerian has long been used for sleep disorders and anxiety. 

•	 Valerian has also been used for other conditions, such as headaches, 

depression, irregular heartbeat, and trembling. 

How It Is Used 

The roots and rhizomes (underground stems) of valerian are typically used to make 

supplements, including capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts, as well as teas. 

What the Science Says 

•	 Research suggests that valerian may be helpful for insomnia, but there is not 

enough evidence from well-designed studies to confirm this. 

•	 There is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether valerian 

works for anxiety or for other conditions, such as depression and headaches. 

•	 Recent NCCAM-funded research on valerian includes studies on the 

herb’s effects on sleep in healthy older adults and in people with 

Parkinson’s disease. 

Side Effects and Cautions 

•	 Studies suggest that valerian is generally safe to use for short periods of 

time (for example, 4 to 6 weeks). 

•	 No information is available about the long-term safety of valerian. 

•	 Valerian can cause mild side effects, such as headaches, dizziness, upset 

stomach, and tiredness the morning after its use. 

•	 Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative 

practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your 

health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. 
 

 

 

 

Sources 

Office of Dietary Supplements and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Questions and Answers 

About Valerian for Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders. Office of Dietary Supplements Web site. Accessed at 

http://www.ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/valerian.asp on July 10, 2007. 

Valerian. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on 

July 5, 2007. 

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on 

July 3, 2007. 

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis). In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E 

Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:394-400. 

Awang DVC, Leung AY. Valerian. In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New 

York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:687-700. 

For More Information 

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view: 

• What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/ 

• Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/ 

NCCAM Clearinghouse 

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226 

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov 

CAM on PubMed 

Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/ 

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov 

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus 

Valerian Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-valerian.html 

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. 


NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute 

for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage 

you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The 

mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM. 

National Institutes of Health 

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

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Created May 2006 

Updated June 2008 

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