Valerian and Reduced Anxiety

Research synthesisLow evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 2 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial small-sized effects on anxiety reduction, while 1 reported neutral effects. The most studied dose was 100 mg (from one study), but dosing was not consistently reported. Populations included adults undergoing dental procedures and mixed child/adult groups.

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. The highest-quality study (systematic review) used valerian in combination with another herb (Erythrina mulungu), so the observed effect may not be solely attributable to valerian. One review reported neutral findings, and another noted conflicting results for anxiolytic effects.

Generated Jul 9, 2026

Doses used in studies

mg/day: 100 (median 100, IQR 100–100) — 1 study

Safety in these studies

Overall tolerabilityReported
Sleep aids based on plant extracts are generally safe and well tolerated by the population.
from: Plant Extracts for Sleep Disturbances: A Systematic Review.
change in heart rate and blood pressureReported
Diazepam 15 mg and V. officinalis 100 mg promoted less change in the heart rate and blood pressure than a placebo.
from: Effectiveness and safety of oral sedation in adult patients undergoing dental procedures:

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Effectiveness and safety of oral sedation in adult patients undergoing dental procedures: a systematic review.
- 2021-01-25
- Systematic Review · n = 327
- BMJ open 11(1)
- - Jimmy de Oliveira Araújo
  - Cristiane de Cássia Bergamaschi
  - Luciane Cruz Lopes
  - Caio Chaves Guimarães
  - Natalia Karol de Andrade
  - Juliana Cama Ramacciato
  - Rogério Heládio Lopes Motta
- PubMed: 33495257
- DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043363
3 Insights on
- Reduced Anxiety
- High evidence
- Adults
Valeriana officinalis 100 mg and Erythrina mulungu 500 mg were more effective than a placebo
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
100 mg
Medicinal Plants Used for Anxiety, Depression, or Stress Treatment: An Update.
- 2022-09-15
- Review
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) 27(18)
- - Maša Kenda
  - Nina Kočevar Glavač
  - Milan Nagy
  - Marija Sollner Dolenc
- PubMed: 36144755
- DOI: 10.3390/molecules27186021
3 Insights on
- Reduced Anxiety
- Low evidence
currently available data do not fully support the use of peppermint for anxiety disorders and depression
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Plant Extracts for Sleep Disturbances: A Systematic Review.
- 2020-01
- Review
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM 2020(1)
- - S Guadagna
  - D F Barattini
  - S Rosu
  - L Ferini-Strambi
- PubMed: 32382286
- DOI: 10.1155/2020/3792390
3 Insights on
- Reduced Anxiety
- Low evidence
- Mixed
their use has been associated (with conflicting results) with anxiolytic effects and improvements in quality and duration of sleep.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes

Valerian and Reduced Anxiety

Effectiveness and safety of oral sedation in adult patients undergoing dental procedures: a systematic review.

Medicinal Plants Used for Anxiety, Depression, or Stress Treatment: An Update.

Plant Extracts for Sleep Disturbances: A Systematic Review.