Valerian (valeriana officinalis)
Description:
The name Valerian comes from the Latin word valere, meaning "to be strong or healthy", generally thought to refer to its medicinal use, though many references suggest that it also refers to the strong odor.
Valerian is used for insomnia and other disorders and can be a useful alternative to benzodiazepine drugs.
In the United States Valerian is sold as a nutritional supplement. Therapeutic use has increased as dietary supplements have gained in popularity, especially after the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act was passed in 1994. This law allowed the distribution of many agents as over-the-counter supplements, and therefore allowed them to bypass the regulatory requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Because of valerian's historical use as a sedative, anti-convulsant, migraine treatment and pain reliever, most basic science research has been directed at the interaction of valerian constituents with the GABA neurotransmitter receptor system. These studies remain inconclusive and all require independent replication. The mechanism of action of valerian in general, as a mild sedative in particular, remains unknown. Valerian extracts appear to have some affinity for the GABAA (benzodiazepine) receptor,[2][3] but this activity does not appear to be mediated by valerenic acid, but rather by the relatively high content of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) itself.
More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_(herb)
Valerian is used for insomnia and other disorders and can be a useful alternative to benzodiazepine drugs.
In the United States Valerian is sold as a nutritional supplement. Therapeutic use has increased as dietary supplements have gained in popularity, especially after the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act was passed in 1994. This law allowed the distribution of many agents as over-the-counter supplements, and therefore allowed them to bypass the regulatory requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Because of valerian's historical use as a sedative, anti-convulsant, migraine treatment and pain reliever, most basic science research has been directed at the interaction of valerian constituents with the GABA neurotransmitter receptor system. These studies remain inconclusive and all require independent replication. The mechanism of action of valerian in general, as a mild sedative in particular, remains unknown. Valerian extracts appear to have some affinity for the GABAA (benzodiazepine) receptor,[2][3] but this activity does not appear to be mediated by valerenic acid, but rather by the relatively high content of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) itself.
More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_(herb)
Not a cure
Shared by robertz on Apr 22nd, 2009
6 out of 10 people found this treatment experience helpful:
Treatment Experience
I've been taking valerian for some weeks. It doesn't work for me. OK, it has a mild sedative effect but not enough to calm my mind when it races in some social situations. 5-HTP is a much better alternative. Taurine effect is also stronger and it also boosts dopamine which makes you somewhat confident.
I've been taking valerian for some weeks. It doesn't work for me. OK, it has a mild sedative effect but not enough to calm my mind when it races in some social situations. 5-HTP is a much better alternative. Taurine effect is also stronger and it also boosts dopamine which makes you somewhat confident.
Was this treatment experience helpful to you?
Great supplement.
Shared by Scotso on Jul 11th, 2009
1 out of 3 people found this treatment experience helpful:
Treatment Experience
It's true, as the previous review states, that valerian is not a cure for social anxiety. But where was it ever claimed to be?
Valerian does work. To see the best effects, you need to take it every day. For me, I didn't really start noticing a positive improvement until I had been taking it for about a month. Since then, I feel that my bottom level of calm has been raised. It's true that valerian is not going to be very effective in moments of really high stress, but it's extremely helpful to manage the constant anxiety that I share with many things. I feel like it's helped temper my OCD a bit, as well.
Valerian does help, and the fact that it's so extremely cheap makes me think that everyone with anxiety issues should be taking it.
Look into the Swanson brand, it's very high quality and the price is lower than anywhere else.
It's true, as the previous review states, that valerian is not a cure for social anxiety. But where was it ever claimed to be?
Valerian does work. To see the best effects, you need to take it every day. For me, I didn't really start noticing a positive improvement until I had been taking it for about a month. Since then, I feel that my bottom level of calm has been raised. It's true that valerian is not going to be very effective in moments of really high stress, but it's extremely helpful to manage the constant anxiety that I share with many things. I feel like it's helped temper my OCD a bit, as well.
Valerian does help, and the fact that it's so extremely cheap makes me think that everyone with anxiety issues should be taking it.
Look into the Swanson brand, it's very high quality and the price is lower than anywhere else.
Was this treatment experience helpful to you?
Recommended Book
Search Treatments
About Treatment Experiences
The individual experiences about treatment for social anxiety disorder (social phobia) are not a substitute for medical advice.
You should always consult a qualified health care professional before beginning, changing or stopping a treatment.
