Valerian Root: Brands, Price & Uses in Bangladesh

Valerian Root is a herbal (botanical) supplement derived from the root/rhizome of Valeriana officinalis. It is traditionally and commonly used, on an over-the-counter/self-care basis, for the following indications:

• Adjunct/traditional use for mild insomnia — to help with occasional difficulty falling asleep or mild sleep disturbance. Clinical trial evidence is mixed and generally modest in magnitude.
• Nervous tension and mild anxiety symptoms — traditionally used to promote a mild calming effect during periods of stress or nervous tension.

Valerian Root is not FDA-approved as a drug for any condition (it is regulated as a dietary/herbal supplement, not a prescription medicine), and it is not a substitute for medical evaluation and treatment of significant, persistent insomnia, generalized anxiety disorder, or other clinically significant sleep or anxiety disorders. Patients with such symptoms lasting more than a few weeks, or that are severe, should seek medical evaluation rather than relying on Valerian Root alone.

Dosing by Indication (Adults)

Pediatric Dose

Not recommended in children; safety and efficacy have not been established (see Use in Special Populations).

Renal/Hepatic Impairment

No well-established dose adjustment exists because Valerian Root is not a standardized pharmaceutical agent; however, caution is advised in hepatic impairment given rare reports of hepatotoxicity (see Side Effects and Precautions), and such patients should use Valerian Root only under medical supervision.

Duration

Valerian Root is generally intended for short-term or intermittent use; see Duration of Treatment.

Most people tolerate Valerian Root well when used as directed. Reported adverse effects include:

Common

• Drowsiness or daytime sedation
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Gastrointestinal upset (stomach discomfort, dry mouth)
• Vivid dreams

Rare

• Hepatotoxicity (liver injury) — rare case reports have described liver enzyme elevation or hepatitis-like injury associated with valerian-containing products; the causal relationship is not definitively established but caution is advised, especially with pre-existing liver disease or concurrent use of other hepatotoxic agents.
• Allergic/hypersensitivity reactions (rash, itching)