A systematic review of valerian as a sleep aid: safe but not effective

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#consumer-product-safety #humans #phytotherapy #sleep-initiation-and-maintenance-disorders #treatment-outcome

A systematic review of valerian as a sleep aid: safe but not effective

Taibi et al., 2007 | Sleep Med Rev | Systematic Review

Citation

Taibi Diana M, Landis Carol A, ... Vitiello Michael V. A systematic review of valerian as a sleep aid: safe but not effective. Sleep Med Rev. 2007-Jun;11(3):209-30

Abstract

Valerian is an herb that is widely available in a variety of commercial preparations and is commonly used as a sleep aid. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of valerian concluded that evidence in support of the effectiveness of the herb was inconclusive. Therefore, in an effort to more closely examine this issue, a systematic review was conducted to examine the evidence on the efficacy of valerian as a sleep aid with specific attention to the type of preparations tested and the characteristics of the subjects studied. A comprehensive search of studies investigating valerian was conducted through computerized databases and hand searches of reference lists. Standardized forms were used to summarize findings and standardized criteria were used to assess study quality. Out of 592 articles initially identified, a total of 36 articles describing 37 separate studies met criteria for review: 29 controlled trials evaluated for both efficacy and safety, and eight open-label trials evaluated for safety only. Most studies found no significant differences between valerian and placebo either in healthy individuals or in persons with general sleep disturbance or insomnia. None of the most recent studies, which were also the most methodologically rigorous, found significant effects of valerian on sleep. Overall, the evidence, while supporting that valerian is a safe herb associated with only rare adverse events, does not support the clinical efficacy of valerian as a sleep aid for insomnia.

Key Findings

Overall, the evidence, while supporting that valerian is a safe herb associated with only rare adverse events, does not support the clinical efficacy of valerian as a sleep aid for insomnia.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population healthy individuals
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition insomnia

MeSH Terms

  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Humans
  • Phytotherapy
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Valerian

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: valerian

Provenance

  • PMID: 17517355
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09