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Sleep
Published in Carolyn Torkelson, Catherine Marienau, Beyond Menopause, 2023
Carolyn Torkelson, Catherine Marienau
Valerian: Valeriana officinalis is a perennial plant native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine and is often combined with other herbs. Valerian root is most commonly used for its sedative and hypnotic properties in patients with insomnia, and it has a mechanism of action similar to that of benzodiazepines. Research studies suggest that valerian may improve sleep quality, but many of these studies had methodologic problems, limiting firm conclusions. Nevertheless, a trial of valerian in conjunction with good sleep hygiene may be worthwhile. The typical dose for valerian is a 500-mg tablet taken at least 30 minutes before bedtime to prevent any reflux when lying down. The taste is unpleasant, and it is commonly combined with other herbs, including passionflower, hops, and lemon balm.
The menopause
Published in Michael J. O’Dowd, The History of Medications for Women, 2020
Valerianate of zinc was thought to relieve all symptoms, but not sleeplessness. Zinc stimulates the central nervous and cardiovascular systems and is an astringent. Valerian is the rhizome of Valeriana officinalis, and causes mild depression of the nervous system. It was mainly used for ‘nervous hysteria’ in females, but was also useful for delirium tremens.
Herbs with Antidepressant Effects
Published in Scott Mendelson, Herbal Treatment of Major Depression, 2019
Valeriana officinalis, commonly referred to as valerian, is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. The ancients knew the plant. The Greek physician and herbalist Dioscorides recommended the root to treat myriad disorders including heart palpitations, digestive problems, epilepsy, and urinary tract infections. During the second century Galen recommended Valeriana officinalis as a treatment for insomnia. The major modern uses for the herb continue to be those of a sedative and anxiolytic.1 Indeed, during World War I, Valeriana officinalis was used to prevent and treat shell shock in frontline troops. During World War II, it was used to help calm civilians subjected to air raids.2
Effect of a Multi-Ingredient Supplement Designed to Regulate Mood on Physiological and Psychological Outcomes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Published in Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2023
Ann F. Brown, Clarissa M. E. Richardson, Nathan Newby, Sydney Pulsipher, Talje Hoene
Alternatives to professional help and prescriptions to alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression vary greatly and have been supplemented in many ways (4–7). Botanicals preparations such as Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm extract) have been previously reported to improve cognitive performance and mood as well as reduce stress in a human population with mild to moderate anxiety disorders (4). Griffonia seed extract (99%-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)) and L-Tryptophan have also been used as a natural alternative to traditional drugs used to manage depression because they are intermediate metabolites for serotonin synthesis (8). A popular herbal medicine used for the treatment of anxiety and sleep disturbances is Valeriana officinalis (valerian root extract). Although findings in the literature are inconclusive regarding appropriate botanical extract dosage recommendations, valerian root extract may improve quality of sleep with minimal negative side effects (9). The efficacy of many of these botanical extract supplements are assessed individually, however it is common for these products to be sold as multi-ingredient supplements.
Protective effect of valerian extract capsule (VEC) on ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric mucosa injury and ameliorative effect of VEC on gastrointestinal motility disorder
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2022
Yuan Feng, Wan Dai, Junyu Ke, Yong Cui, Shuang Li, Jingjing Ma, Wenfeng Guo, Gang Chen, Ning Li, Yanwu Li
Available antiulcer drugs and motility-modifying drugs, chemical drugs are common but have various side effects. Thus, it is necessary to develop novel drugs that are safer, effective, and readily accessible in the treatment of gastric ulcers and GI motility disorder. Valeriana officinalis L. (Caprifoliaceae), also called valerian, native to Europe and Asia, is commonly used as a medicinal plant to treat anxiety, sleep disorder, depression, and GI hyperactivity (Houghton 1999; Poyares et al. 2002; Muller et al. 2003; Taavoni et al. 2011; Mineo et al. 2017; Tammadon et al. 2021). Prior work indicates that the extract of V. officinalis has antioxidant and antispasmodic effects (Malva et al. 2004; Circosta et al. 2007; Sudati et al. 2009). However, most existing research results associated with valerian are related to insomnia, few investigations about valerian or its extracts in treating gastric mucosa damage were reported.
Advances in research on the protective mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2022
Jiexin Zhang, Yonghe Hu, Han Wang, Jun Hou, Wenjing Xiao, Xudong Wen, Tingting Wang, Pan Long, Hezhong Jiang, Zhanhao Wang, Huawei Liu, Xin Chen
Reductions in cytokine levels are major anti-inflammatory effects of TCMs in the treatment of MI/R injury (Nos. 2 and 3 in Figure 1). As shown in Table 1, 13 species of Chinese herbs exert cardioprotective effects by regulating the levels of intracellular cytokines, including Rosa rugosa Thunb. (Rosaceae) (Hou et al. 2016), Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright (Dioscoreaceae) (Ebrahimi et al. 2014) and others. Among them, plumbagin extracted from Plumbago zeylanica L. (Plumbaginaceae) was used to prevent heart diseases in ancient times (Luo et al. 2010; Sheeja et al. 2010). Plumbagin induces activation of Nrf2 and reduces the expression of cytokines (MCP-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) to return inflammation markers to normal levels (Wang et al. 2016). Valerian extract from Valeriana officinalis L. (Valerianaceae) (Xue et al. 1988) causes central sedation, exerts anti-arrhythmia effects, increases coronary blood flow, and reduces the scope of MI. Valerian extract can inhibit TNF-α production by monocytes/macrophages, reducing the expression of neutrophil (polymorphonuclear neutrophil, PMN) adhesion molecules, and thereby reducing the accumulation of PMNs in ischaemic regions in rabbits (Yin et al. 2000).