Aqueous Extract of Valerian Reduces Latency to Fall Asleep in Man

Abstract

A group of 8 volunteers suffering from mild insomnia received a placebo, 450 mg or 900 mg of an aqueous extract of valerian root in a double-blind, repeated measures, random-order design. Subjective sleep ratings were assessed by questionnaire and movements were recorded throughout the night with wrist-worn activity meters. Using the first period of 5 consecutive minutes without movement as a criterion of sleep onset, there was a significant decrease in sleep latency with 450 mg valerian compared to placebo (15.8 ± 2.2 min vs 9.0 ± 1.5 min; paired “t” = 3.37;p < 0.01). The higher dose of valerian produced no further improvement in sleep latency.