Valerian Side Effects
Summary
Individuals who are thinking of using valerian to treat a sleep or anxiety disorder should first familiarize themselves with the possible side effects related to the use of the supplement. Valerian may cause mild side effects in select patients, including headache, excitability and insomnia. Although rare, severe allergic reactions and serious side effects may occur in a small number of users. Valerian induces drowsiness that may still be felt the day after use. It is important to evaluate valerian’s effect on your body before driving or operating heavy machinery. If the feelings of residual drowsiness are consistently severe with regular use, talk to your doctor about an alternative form of treatment.
Common Valerian Side Effects
For most patients, valerian supplements are well tolerated and may be used without the occurrence of major side effects. However, some users may experience a few very mild valerian side effects after taking a valerian supplement. Valerian side effects that are considered common include:
- Headache
- Excitability
- Uneasiness or Restlessness
- Drowsiness After Waking Up
These side effects are considered more of a nuisance than a serious health concern. They very rarely require medical attention and usually go away within a few hours of taking the valerian supplement.
If these common side effects become persistent or bothersome, it may be necessary to adjust your dosage or discontinue valerian treatment. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for other ways to minimize common side effects of valerian.
Serious Valerian Side Effects
Serious side effects are often linked to taking more than the recommended dose of valerian supplements. These side effects include:
- Moderate to Severe stomach pain
- Feelings of mental dullness
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Yellowing of the Skin and Eyes
- Dark colored urine
Although these side effects may be moderate in intensity, they usually pass on their own and rarely require medical attention. Valerian users can minimize the occurrence of these types of side effects by following the dosing instructions on the supplement label, or by taking valerian exactly as directed by their doctor or pharmacist.
Although allergic reactions to valerian supplements are considered rare, they may occur in a very small number of users. Be mindful of the following symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of them while using valerian supplements:
- Skin rash
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, mouth, lips and tongue
Valerian Before Surgery
Anesthesia and other drugs used during surgery work by slowing down the body’s central nervous system. Because valerian supplements also have a slowing effect on the central nervous system, users are cautioned against using valerian products in the weeks leading up to a scheduled surgery.
It is recommended that patients discontinue the use of all valerian supplements at least two weeks before going into surgery to avoid potentially harmful side effects. After your surgery, consult your doctor to determine how long you should wait before resuming valerian treatments.
Unlike medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the treatment claims of valerian supplements cannot be backed by hard data from clinical trials in most cases. However, satisfied users often swear by valerian for the treatment of mild sleep and anxiety disorders. Because valerian has such a low occurrence of reported side effects, patients who are considering valerian for the treatment of a wide range of disorders may be able to do so without substantial risk to their health.
Consult your doctor if you have concerns about whether using valerian supplements is right for you. Make sure to fully disclose your medical history, as well as any prescription or OTC drugs that you are taking, so that your doctor is able to make an informed decision regarding your treatment. Most importantly, be mindful of how you feel while taking valerian supplements and contact your doctor at once if you feel that you are experience a side effect as a result of those supplements.
