Can you Overdose on Valerian Root? Possible Negative Effects

Taken as a dietary supplement, valerian root has been clinically proven to support better sleep and mood with long-term use.

Studies have shown it to promote a feeling of calmness, reduced anxiety, and relief from muscle spasms, migraine headaches and insomnia.

It has an extensive history of use, dating back more than 2,000 years. In that time, it has been recognized as a safe, natural supplement with few side effects.

While a valerian root overdose is uncommon, herbal supplements should always be taken under the supervision of a knowledgeable and licensed heath care provider. Adverse effects can occur in certain situations when it is inappropriately combined with other drugs or taken in excess quantities.

Valerian Root

Herbal Supplement

Calmness

Mood

Sleep Onset

How It Works:

• Helps alleviate stress & anxiety
• Promotes better sleep & daytime alertness
• Boosts relaxation by enhancing GABA signalling

Dosage:

Between 300 - 900 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Valerian Root Properties

Native to Asia, Europe and naturalized throughout North America, valerian today thrives in many parts of the world.

The name valerian is taken from the Latin word “valere”, meaning powerful, healthy, and strong. A 4 to 5 foot tall primarily grassland perennial plant, it grows well in damp woodland areas with adequate sunlight.

In spring and summer, the herbaceous plant presents a bold display of bright while and pale pink flowers. The fern-like foliage provides visual interest in the landscape and is often used as filler in floral arrangements.

The blooms are sweetly scented and have a long recorded use as a primary ingredient in perfumery. However, the roots are the part of the plant used for medicinal purposes.

The roots have been sold commercially for hundreds of years and known as All-Heal, Amantilla, Belgium Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, and Garden Valerian. These roots are believed to contain active medicinal compounds which have earned the plant the name “nature’s tranquilizer.”

When dug, cleaned and finely chopped or pulverized to powder, the root is used as a tea or packaged as a dietary supplement in the form of liquid, capsules, tablets, tinctures, extracts, and essential oils. The roots are extremely twisted and harvested when the plant is 2 or more years old.

The Science Behind Valerian’s Benefits

Valerian root contains several active compound which have been shown to stimulate GABA neuroreceptors in the brain. This herbal extract appears to both increase the release of GABA from nerve cells and to inhibit the re-absorption of this brain chemical once it is release. The result is a signal amplification of the effects of GABA in the brain.

GABA is the neurotransmitter that is chiefly responsible for sedating and calming the central nervous system. It is released into the brain to prevent anxiety and regulate moods, to promote relaxation and to allow for the onset of sleep in the evening.

GABA is also the neurotransmitter that is mimicked by alcohol; it stimulates a subset of GABA receptors in the brain to cause the characteristic effects of reduced inhibition, an increased sense of well-being and drowsiness.

Raising GABA activity levels in the brain can be useful for those feeling anxious, stressed out or unable to sleep. Taking valerian root is one way to calm agitation, improve mood and help users achieve deeper sleep. Many athletes have taken valerian to not only promote sleep but to trigger the production of important growth hormones which occurs during deep sleep states.

Dosage Suggestions

Valerian is marketed internationally as an herbal supplement.

Because there is no regulated manufacturing standards established for herbal compounds, some supplements have been found to contain vastly different potency ingredients.

Certain extract may contain higher quantities of active components than other extracts and it can be difficult for the consumer to determine the difference between these products.

In some cases, low quality products may be contaminated with toxic heavy metals and other impurities. Herbal health supplements should be obtained from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination or lack of consistency in dosage.

The dosage you use will depend on the format of product you are taking. Certain high-potency tinctures and extracts will require lower doses since they offer a higher concentration of key ingredients. It is always important to follow the directions for the specific brand of product you are purchasing to prevent the risk of overdose.

When using dried valerian root extracts in capsule or tablet form, a dosage of between 250 to 600 mg is typical. For tinctures, taking between 1 – 1.5 teaspoons is common for 1:5 extracts (which contain 1 part valerian for every 5 parts liquid).

Valerian Root Tea is usually prepared with 2 – 3 grams of dried root stems, steeped in 1 cup of boiling water. Take this dosage one hour before bedtime to improve sleep patterns. For anxiety, a smaller dosage of 100 – 200 mg may be taken up to three times a day.

Can you Overdose from Valerian?

Valerian overdoses are extremely rare. In one instance in 1995, a user is reported to have intentionally taken over 20x the recommended dosage to produce a “high” effect. The user is said to have recovered from the adverse effects within 24 hours.

Negative side effects from using too much Valerian powder can include nausea, restlessness, dizziness, blurry vision and aggression. Excess dosages can also lead to drowsiness and may impair the ability to drive or operate heavy machinery.

While Valerian root overdoses are not a significant risk, there can be adverse effects from combining this herb with sedatives and other prescription anxiolytics or sleeping aids.

Drugs such as Benzodizepines (Xanax®, Valium®, Ativan®, and Halcion®) should not be combined with this supplement. Other drugs including Barbituates and central nervous system depressants such as phenobarbital (Luminal®), morphine, and propofol (Diprivan®) also pose a risk for interactions.

Dietary supplements including St. John’s Wort, kava kava, and melatonin are further advised against when taking Valerian, as is alcohol.

Traditional Uses of Valerian

In historical herbal medicine, there is extensive record of the use of valerian dating back thousands of years. Herbal healers in China, Asia and Europe considered it to be an effective remedy for those persons suffering from fear, anxiety, depression, erectile dysfunction, loss of stamina and chronic insomnia.

Traditionally, valerian has been used to support healthy digestion, energy production, and regulating metabolism, relieving pain and promoting sound sleep. When ground into a powder and applied as a moist poultice, valerian has proved historically effective in combating infection and promoting healing in skin irritations, sores, ulcers, and eczema.

In ancient times, Valerian root was an important “magic” ingredient in witchcraft spells and offerings. It was used to cast spells to relieve feelings of guilt or blame and reduce negative energies. It was also used in “cat magic” (the scent of valerian attracts cat with properties similar to catnip) and in evoking animal spirits.

When used in magic spells, the herb was often consumed by the practitioners to the point of deliberately causing a valerian overdose to the point that it generated hallucinations, dizziness and visions.

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