Last update: June 13, 2019

Valeriana officinalis

Low Risk for breastfeeding


Moderately safe. Probably compatible.
Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended.
Read the Comment.

Roots, rhizomes and stolons of the plant are used. It contains iridoids, valepotriates, steroids, essential oils, GABA and tannins.
Unproven beneficial effects in adults: sedative, hypnotic, anti-spasmodic.
Indication after Commission E of German Ministry of Health: insomnia, nervousness, anxiety.

At last update significant data on breastfeeding were not found.

A commonly used herb in many cultures and countries, even during pregnancy and breastfeeding with very few reported side-effects. Whenever not abused it has a low toxicity.

Moderate use is considered to be compatible with breastfeeding, however because of the possibility of sedative effect in infants should better be avoided in cases of prematurity and in the neonatal period. Be aware of sedative effects in the infant.

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Valeriana officinalis.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM´s pediatricians and pharmacists, and are based on updated scientific publications.
It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Valeriana officinalis is Valerian in Latin, botanical name.

Is written in other languages:

Valeriana officinalis is also known as

Groups

Valeriana officinalis belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Valeriana officinalis in its composition:

List of 12 tradenames
  • Armonil (Argentina)™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Armonil sedante (Argentina)™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Digestive™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Dozile Natural Sleep™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Fibromyalgine Fort™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Netisum™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Novo-Passit (Ново-Пассит)™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Sedaplus (Canada)™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Sedasor™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Sedonat™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Sleep Sound Formula™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition
  • Valerina™. Contains other elements than Valeriana officinalis in its composition

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Tmax 1 - 2 hours
T1/2 1 hours

References

  1. Medline Plus Valeriana Medicinas, hierbas y suplementos 2014 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. Medline Plus Valerian Drugs, Supplements, and Herbal Information 2014 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Sachs HC; Committee On Drugs. The transfer of drugs and therapeutics into human breast milk: an update on selected topics. Pediatrics. 2013 Sep;132(3):e796-809. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. Bunchorntavakul C, Reddy KR. Review article: herbal and dietary supplement hepatotoxicity. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Kennedy DA, Lupattelli A, Koren G, Nordeng H. Herbal medicine use in pregnancy: results of a multinational study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Douros A, Bronder E, Andersohn F, Klimpel A, Thomae M, Ockenga J, Kreutz R, Garbe E. Drug-induced acute pancreatitis: results from the hospital-based Berlin case-control surveillance study of 102 cases. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Abstract
  7. The Royal Women’s Hospital Victoria Australia. Herbal and Traditional Medicines in Breasfeeding. Fact Sheet. 2013 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. Teschke R, Wolff A, Frenzel C, Schulze J, Eickhoff A. Herbal hepatotoxicity: a tabular compilation of reported cases. Liver Int. 2012 Abstract
  9. Consolini AE, Ragone MI. Patterns of self-medication with medicinal plants and related adverse events--a South American survey. Curr Drug Saf. 2010 Abstract
  10. Cuzzolin L, Francini-Pesenti F, Verlato G, Joppi M, Baldelli P, Benoni G. Use of herbal products among 392 Italian pregnant women: focus on pregnancy outcome. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2010 Abstract
  11. COMMITTEE ON HERBAL MEDICINAL PRODUCTS Valerian Root EMEA 2010 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  12. COMITÉ DE MEDICAMENTOS A BASE DE PLANTAS Valeriana EMEA 2009 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  13. Holst L, Nordeng H, Haavik S. Use of herbal drugs during early pregnancy in relation to maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcome. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2008 Abstract
  14. Taibi DM, Landis CA, Petry H, Vitiello MV. A systematic review of valerian as a sleep aid: safe but not effective. Sleep Med Rev. 2007 Abstract
  15. Zaffani S, Cuzzolin L, Benoni G. Herbal products: behaviors and beliefs among Italian women. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2006 Abstract
  16. Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, Patterson M, Mehling W. Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2006 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  17. [No authors listed] Management of insomnia: a place for traditional herbal remedies. Prescrire Int. 2005 Abstract
  18. Anderson GD, Elmer GW, Kantor ED, Templeton IE, Vitiello MV. Pharmacokinetics of valerenic acid after administration of valerian in healthy subjects. Phytother Res. 2005 Abstract
  19. Tesch BJ. Herbs commonly used by women: an evidence-based review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Abstract
  20. Haller CA, Anderson IB, Kim SY, Blanc PD. An evaluation of selected herbal reference texts and comparison to published reports of adverse herbal events. Adverse Drug React Toxicol Rev. 2002 Abstract
  21. Petry JJ, Hadley SK. Medicinal herbs: answers and advice, part 1. Hosp Pract (1995). 2001 Abstract
  22. Allaire AD, Moos MK, Wells SR. Complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: a survey of North Carolina certified nurse-midwives. Obstet Gynecol. 2000 Abstract
  23. WHO. World Health Organization. Geneva. WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Volume I. WHO monographs 1999 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  24. Mennecier D, Saloum T, Dourthe PM, Bronstein JA, Thiolet C, Farret O. [Acute hepatitis after phytotherapy]. Presse Med. 1999 Abstract
  25. O'Hara M, Kiefer D, Farrell K, Kemper K. A review of 12 commonly used medicinal herbs. Arch Fam Med. 1998 Abstract
  26. MacGregor FB, Abernethy VE, Dahabra S, Cobden I, Hayes PC. Hepatotoxicity of herbal remedies. BMJ. 1989 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  27. Houghton PJ. The biological activity of Valerian and related plants. J Ethnopharmacol. 1988 Abstract

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