While this herb is usually tolerated well, there are a few reports of possible valerian toxicity linked to more severe symptoms, including headaches, liver toxicity, chest tightness, abdominal pain, and tremors ( 10 , 16 , 17 , 18 ).

The maximum daily dose is 6 tablets. Do not take more than the leaflet tells you to. Duration of use If symptoms worsen, or do not improve after 4 weeks, a doctor or a qualified healthcare practitioner should be consulted.

Side Effects

• headache;
• upset stomach;
• thinking problems;
• dry mouth;
• feeling excited or uneasy;
• strange dreams; or.
• daytime drowsiness.

This herb is popular as a sedative but little is known about its toxic effects. The patient presented with mild symptoms, all of which resolved within 24 h. Valerian overdose, at approximately 20 times the recommended therapeutic dose, appears to be benign.

Based on the reviewed studies, the effective dosage of valerian root extract for treatment of insomnia ranges from 300 to 600 mg. An equivalent dose of dried herbal valerian root is 2 to 3 g, soaked in one cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. 25 The product should be ingested 30 minutes to two hours before bedtime.

For insomnia, valerian may be taken 1 to 2 hours before bedtime, or up to 3 times in the course of the day, with the last dose near bedtime. It may take a few weeks before the effects are felt.

While still safe, it’s unclear whether higher doses are necessary to product an effect. The NIH noted one dated study that found taking 900 mg of valerian root at night can actually increase sleepiness and lead to a “hangover effect” the next morning.

Various compounds present in valerian are metabolized through different mechanisms and at different rates, further complicating its use. However, it is apparent that clinical effects generally wear off after about 4–6 hours.

Valerian may cause headache, stomach upset, mental dullness, excitability, uneasiness, heart disturbances, and even insomnia in some people. A few people feel sluggish in the morning after taking valerian, especially at higher doses. Some people experience dry mouth or vivid dreams.

Hepatotoxicity. Valerian has been implicated in a small number of cases of clinically apparent liver injury, but usually in combination with other botanicals such as skullcap or black cohosh. In view of its wide scale use, valerian has to be considered a very rare cause of hepatic injury.

We all know how important it is to get enough sleep. The potential value for valerian in treating mood disorders is particularly intriguing, as side effects from standard mood-disorder medications, such as drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain, constipation, nausea and vomiting, can be very unpleasant.

Still, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found that there is inconclusive evidence to support the use of valerian root. Overall, further studies into the safety and effectiveness of the supplement are necessary. Melatonin is a hormone that the brain produces after dark to help the body fall asleep.

Maybe the room is too warm, too noisy or there’s too much light. Our bodies like a certain light, temperature, and noise level to stay asleep for 8 hours. Your environment can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep and instead cause you to wake up during REM sleep.

If you wake up at 3 a.m. or another time and can’t fall right back asleep, it may be for several reasons. These include lighter sleep cycles, stress, or underlying health conditions. Your 3 a.m. awakenings may occur infrequently and be nothing serious, but regular nights like this could be a sign of insomnia.

Most people wake up once or twice during the night. Reasons this might happen include drinking caffeine or alcohol late in the day, a poor sleep environment, a sleep disorder, or another health condition. When you can’t get back to sleep quickly, you won’t get enough quality sleep to keep you refreshed and healthy.

People are most likely to be at their sleepiest at two points: between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. The better the quality of sleep you get, the less likely you are to experience significant daytime sleepiness. Circadian rhythm also dictates your natural bedtime and morning wakeup schedules.