Hostess Risé
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 17603
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2013 - 05:36 pm: | 
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"The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently consulted Natural Standard to discuss the available scientific evidence on valerian.
Valerian is an herb native to Europe and Asia that currently grows in most parts of the world. The use of valerian as a sedative and anti-anxiety treatment has been reported for more than 2,000 years. Related species have been used in traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Preparations for use on the skin have been used to treat sores and acne, and valerian by mouth has been used for other conditions such as gas and other stomach problems, congestive heart failure, urinary tract disorders, and chest pain.
Valerian extracts became popular in the United States and Europe in the mid-1800s and remains popular in North America, Europe and Japan. It is widely used to treat insomnia and anxiety. Although the active ingredients in valerian are not known, preparations are often standardized to the content of valerenic acid.
Although studies suggest that valerian may reduce anxiety in rats, results from human research remain unconvincing. The WSJ article emphasized that valerian has been given an evidence grade of C by Natural Standard for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety, indicating that the scientific evidence is still unclear. Preparations of the herb and amounts of valerenic acid used in the studies tend to vary. Additionally, some trials used valerian in combination with other integrative therapies such as lemon balm, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions on the effects of valerian alone.
Valerian may cause side effects such as headaches or tiredness, and should not be taken together with medications that may cause drowsiness, as the effects may be additive.
To read the full article, please visit http://online.wsj.com."
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