Phytorelax - Arkopharma Valerian 50 capsules Triple pack offer (£5.88 per pack)

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	Good for: Help insomnia, anxiety, nervousness and stress.
	Things to be aware of: Precautions:Can cause drowsiness so caution is needed when driving or handling machinery. Consult doctor if pregnant. Contraindications:Not recommended during pregnancy (for more information see below). p&p from £2.50+VAT no matter how much you buy!

Phytorelax - Valerian

Valerian is used against sleeping disorders, restlessness and anxiety, and as a muscle relaxant. Valerian often seems only to work when taken over longer periods (several weeks), though many users find that it takes effect immediately. Some studies have demonstrated that valerian extracts interact with the GABA and benzodiazepine receptors. Valerian is also used traditionally to treat gastrointestinal pain and irritable bowel syndrome.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), a member of the Valerianaceae family, is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia and naturalized in North America. It has a distinctive odor that many find unpleasant. Other names include setwall (English), Valerianae radix (Latin), Baldrianwurzel (German), and phu (Greek). The genus Valerian includes over 250 species, but V. officinalis is the species most often used in the United States and Europe.

Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Its therapeutic uses were described by Hippocrates, and in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia. In the 16th century, it was used to treat nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations.

Many chemical constituents of valerian have been identified, but it is not known which may be responsible for its sleep-promoting effects in animals and in in vitro studies. It is likely that there is no single active compound and that valerian's effects result from multiple constituents acting independently or synergistically.

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Dosage

One capsule in the evenings before meals and two capsules before going to bed. Nervousness - Take one capsule mornings, noon and evenings, during evening meals.

Not recommended for patients with liver impairment or on other medication known to have potential for liver in-toxicity or induction of liver enzymes. Not recommended during pregnancy, or lactation. Valerian is not to be used whilst on sedative medication or other prescribed drugs which affect the central nervous system. Unlike prescribed tranquillizers, Valerian does not cause dangerous effects if taken with alcohol. Not recommended for children under 12. Only recommended for short term use. Do not take Valerian if you have to drive or use machines. If symptoms persist consult your doctor.

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Does it work?

Stevinson C, Ernst E. Valerian for insomnia: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Sleep Medicine 2000; 1(2): 91-99

Nine trials (reported in 8 papers) with a total of 390 participants were included.

Three trials investigated the effect of valerian following repeated administration: one methodologically rigorous trial found improvements in various sleep-related parameters; another reported superior sleep latency and duration by 2 weeks; the third (pilot study) suggested an increase of slow wave sleep after 1 and 8 days of valerian, but no improvement on other measures. Of the six trials investigating responses to single doses, three reported positive results whilst three showed no difference between valerian and placebo (the latter three were all conducted in healthy volunteers without documented sleep problems).

Few adverse events of valerian were reported, and those that were reported were mild and similar to those experienced with placebo.

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