Valerian Root

Valerian root is not an evidence-backed, first-line treatment for PTSD itself. It has plausible mechanisms and reasonable clinical support for sleep problems and mild anxiety — symptoms that commonly occur in PTSD — but there’s little to no high-quality, direct evidence showing valerian cures or reliably treats core PTSD symptoms (intrusive memories, avoidance, hyperarousal, flashbacks).

Mechanism — acts on GABAergic system: Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) contains valerenic acids and other constituents that modulate the GABA-A receptor (the same inhibitory system targeted by benzodiazepines), and some preclinical and human work shows GABAergic/anxiolytic and sedative effects. That helps explain reduction in anxiety and improved sleep, which are highly relevant to people with PTSD. ScienceDirect

Symptom-target rationale: PTSD commonly features insomnia, hyperarousal, and anxiety. Because valerian has the strongest clinical signal for improving sleep quality and some evidence for reducing mild anxiety, it may be useful as an adjunct to relieve those symptoms (not as a primary treatment for PTSD). Major PTSD pharmacotherapy reviews do not list valerian as an evidence-based PTSD medication. SpringerLink

• Usual clinical extract dose (adults): 300–600 mg of a standardized valerian extract (commonly standardized to ~0.8–2% valerenic acids) taken 30–60 minutes before bedtime for sleep. Many trials use 300 mg once nightly; some used 600 mg. For daytime anxiety some formulations/trials used divided doses but the evidence is weaker. AAFP
• Dried root / tea: Equivalent dosing in older literature is roughly 2–3 g of dried root prepared as tea. (Potency varies a lot by preparation.) AAFP
• Duration: Most clinical trials for sleep/anxiety are short (weeks — often 2–8 weeks). Expect that if benefit will occur it’s usually seen after several days to a few weeks. Long-term safety is less well characterized. SpringerLink
• Formulations: Capsules/extracts offer more consistent dosing than teas. If using an extract, prefer products that state standardization (valerenic acid %) and come from reputable manufacturers. NCCIH and AAFP note variability in over-the-counter products. NCCIH

Practical tips if using it as an adjunct for PTSD symptoms

• Try valerian only for sleep/anxiety symptoms as an adjunct to trauma-focused psychotherapy and/or evidence-based PTSD meds (SSRIs, etc.), not as a replacement. PTSD core symptoms typically require trauma-focused therapy. Cambridge University Press & Assessment
• Start with a low-to-moderate dose (e.g., 300 mg extract at night) and monitor daytime sedation and interactions before increasing.
• Avoid combining with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, sedating antihistamines, or other strong CNS depressants. Drugs.com

Systematic reviews / meta-analyses (sleep): reviews and umbrella reviews find heterogeneous results but some improvements in sleep latency/quality in trials that used adequately potent extracts. (Example review: Springer/Literature review). SpringerLink

Cochrane / anxiety trials summary: Cochrane reviewed randomized trials of valerian for anxiety disorders (they include anxiety diagnoses broadly and even allowed trials where anxiety is primary symptom, but evidence is limited and heterogeneous). This review is useful to show the evidence base is thin and inconsistent for anxiety disorders in general. Cochrane

Randomized trials showing anxiolytic/sedative effects: recent randomized, triple-blinded trial comparing Valeriana officinalis, Passiflora incarnata and placebo found reductions in peri-operative anxiety scales with valerian vs. placebo. Other trials (e.g., sleep trials in post-menopausal women, cancer patients) show improved sleep in some populations. (See Springer trial and Fitoterapia/NCCN trial references below.) SpringerLink

Preclinical / mechanistic studies: animal and in-vitro studies demonstrating GABA-A interactions and anxiolytic effects of extracts/constituents. These support biological plausibility. BioMed Central