valeriana officinalis

Valeriana officinalis, commonly known as valerian, is a perennial flowering plant whose root extract is widely used as an herbal supplement, particularly for the treatment of sleep disorders like insomnia. [17] It is recognized as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the FDA in the United States and is marketed in various over-the-counter preparations. Beyond its traditional use as a sedative, preclinical research suggests Valeriana officinalis possesses anticonvulsant and anticancer properties. Its mechanism of action is thought to be multifactorial, involving modulation of the GABAergic system, where active compounds like valerenic acid may act as positive modulators of GABA-A receptors. [29, 37] Furthermore, studies have indicated that valerian and its components can inhibit histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and alter DNA methylation, pointing to an epigenetic mechanism for its observed anti-proliferative effects against cancer cells, such as in breast cancer models.

Brand names

BaldriparanValerian Root

Other names

ValerianValerian rootsetwallValerianae radixBaldrianwurzelphu