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Val7.0
Valerian Root Research
Mostly mechanism / observationalModerate safety
14 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Valerian Root studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1982–2025 with a typical study size of 128 participants.
Based on 14 studies · 3 meta-analyses · 7 RCTs · 9,528 total participants
4 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2024
198220032025
1Sleep quality and associated disordersMeta-AnalysisCited 66×n=6,894 · very large study2020
However, due to the presence of multiple active constituents and relatively unstable nature of some of the active constituents, it may be necessary to revise the quality control processes, including standardization methods and shelf life.
Shinjyo N et al. · Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine (2020)
In addition, therapeutic benefits could be optimized when it was combined with appropriate herbal partners.
There were no severe adverse events associated with valerian intake in subjects aged between 7 and 80 years.
In conclusion, valerian could be a safe and effective herb to promote sleep and prevent associated disorders.
Research must address herb-drug interactions, long-term effects, and biomarkers for personalized treatment. autism spectrum disorder, herbal medicines, narrative review, doses recommendation, therapeutic effects, side effects.
Aldekhail NM et al. · Alternative therapies in health and medicine (2025)
Potential solutions to address research gaps are offered, for future research next steps, which is needed to strengthen the evidence and inform decisions.
Crawford C et al. · Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) (2021)
Ingredients evaluated included Bacopa monnieri, choline, creatine, omega-3 fatty acids, Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, tyrosine, and valerian root, all in supplement form and compared with a placebo, at various serving sizes and durations of use.
Whereas certain trends regarding promising serving sizes or duration for use, are pointed to in this synthesis, when combined, studies are inconsistent and imprecise, and many are methodologically flawed.
Potential solutions to address research gaps are offered, for future research next steps, which is needed to strengthen the evidence and inform decisions.
6Early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after CABG surgeryRCTCited 16×n=61 · small study2015
We concluded that, based on this study, the cognitive state of patients in the valerian group was better than that in the placebo group after CABG; therefore, it seems that the use of V. officinalis root extract may prevent early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after on-pump CABG surgery.
Hassani S et al. · Psychopharmacology (2015)
Huge benefit
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Valerian prophylaxis reduced odds of cognitive dysfunction compared to placebo group (OR = 0.108, 95 % CI 0.022-0.545).
We concluded that, based on this study, the cognitive state of patients in the valerian group was better than that in the placebo group after CABG; therefore, it seems that the use of V. officinalis root extract may prevent early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after on-pump CABG surgery.
Further EEG studies are needed to confirm VRE's neurophysiological effects.
Roh D et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2019)
Compared with the placebo group, the VRE group exhibited significantly greater increases in frontal brain region alpha coherence across four electrode pairs, and these changes were significantly correlated with anxiolysis.
Our findings indicate that VRE alters functional brain connectivity in relation to anxiety.
Further EEG studies are needed to confirm VRE's neurophysiological effects.
This meta-analysis provides targeted evidence for valerian's sleep benefits in a specific high-need population (menopausal women), filling a gap in the existing literature.
Shayan M et al. · Menopause (2024)
Valerian supplementation significantly improved Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores in menopausal women
No serious adverse events were reported across included trials
Effects were more pronounced in postmenopausal compared to perimenopausal subgroups
In total 9 non-serious adverse events were documented but the distribution did not differ significantly between the treatment groups.This herbal preparation (Ze185) showed to be an efficacious and safe short-term treatment in patients with somatoform disorders.
Melzer J et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2009)
Analysis of the ITT population confirmed these results.
As to safety, no serious adverse events occurred.
In total 9 non-serious adverse events were documented but the distribution did not differ significantly between the treatment groups.This herbal preparation (Ze185) showed to be an efficacious and safe short-term treatment in patients with somatoform disorders.
It is best to avoid high-titre alcoholic extracts and powdered valerian root, and to select aqueous extracts and low-titre hydro-alcoholic preparations.
Unknown authors · Prescrire international (2005)
Similarly, there are no scientific grounds for rejecting preparations based on hawthorn or passiflora. (5) Available data suggest that valerian extracts have a modest impact on subjective sleep quality; they are nevertheless more effective than a placebo.
Valerian products that do not contain valepotriates have no apparent adverse effects.
It is best to avoid high-titre alcoholic extracts and powdered valerian root, and to select aqueous extracts and low-titre hydro-alcoholic preparations.