Written by Jessica Patella, ND. In a study with 31 participants with obsessive compulsive disorder those given 750 mg valerian root daily had a rating of 23.4% less disorders.
Obsessive Compulsive disorder affects 1.6% of the United States population (4). It is characterized by upsetting persistent worries, images or impulses that are experienced as intrusive and senseless (obsessions), where excessive repetitive behaviors (compulsions) are performed in response to the obsessions or according to rigid rules (1, 2). With an estimated 62% of adults looking to complementary and alternative medicine, recent research has found Valerian to be a possible alternative approach to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (1, 3).
Valerian is an herbal medicine made from the root of the Valeriana Officinalis plant. Traditionally, Valerian has been used as a sedative and a pain reliever, and to help relieve insomnia, anxiety and migraines (1).
The research included 31 participants with a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (DSM-IV-TR). Participants were randomly divided into either the Valerian group (n=15) or the placebo group (n=16) for a total of 8 weeks. The participants took one capsule three times daily. The Valerian group took a total of 750mg per day of Valerian root (1). Participants in both groups were also given oxazepam (5mg) at night if they had insomnia, and no other medication was taken (1).
Participants were followed every other week, starting at baseline, week 2, week 4, week 6 and week 8 (1). At each visit, the Yale-Brown scale was used to measure improvements in symptoms. The Yale-Brown scale is a 10-question assessment to determine the severity of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and the improvement with treatment (5). The Yale-Brown score significantly declined in the extract group by approximately 44.8% compared to only a 21.4% decline in the placebo group, showing Valerian was an effective treatment (p=0.035). The scores declined compared to placebo at weeks 4, 6 and 8 (p=0.043, p=0.07, p=0.00) showing Valerian also had a rapid onset of improving symptoms within 1 month (1).
No serious adverse side effects were reported in either group, although the extract group reported being drowsy or sleepy more than the placebo group (53% in the Valerian group vs. 18.75% in the placebo group; p=0.02) (1).
In conclusion, 750mg of Valerian root per day improved symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (1). It is important to note this was the first double-blind controlled trial of Valerian in relation to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and therefore a preliminary study. Future research with more participants over a longer duration of time is needed to confirm results (1).
Source: Siroos Pakseresht, Hatam Boostani, Mehdi Sayyah. Extract of Valerian Root (Valeriana Officinalis L.) vs. Placebo in Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Double-Blind Study. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, ISSN (Online) 1553-3840, DOI: https://doi.org/10.2202/1553-3840.1465.
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Posted May 7, 2013.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Pakseresht, et al. Extract of Valerian Root (Valeriana Officinalis L.) vs Placebo in Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Double-Blind Study. 2011. doi:10.2202/1533-3840.1465.
- American Psychiatric Association. 2000. Definition of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statistics on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012.
- National Institute of Mental Health. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Among Adults. Healthy Place. Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale.
