Herb & Ingredient Library
Valerian
Can I take valerian with my sleep medication?
By Dr. Paulette Y. Jones, DNP-L, RN · N&O LLC
Valerian and Sleep Medication: What Not to Combine
Valeriana officinalis
Valerian is the classic sleep herb, and it is a good one. It is also one of the clearest examples of an herb that should not be stacked on top of a prescription that does the same job. Here is what the studies found and the rule I give every customer.
What it is
Valerian is the root of a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia, used for sleep and nervous tension since ancient Greece. Its active compounds — valerenic acid and related valepotriates — increase the availability of GABA, the brain's main calming neurotransmitter, which is the same system that benzodiazepines and Z-drugs act on. Unlike those drugs it is not habit-forming, and it usually needs a couple of weeks of nightly use to show its full effect.
What the research has looked at
- Meta-analyses of randomized trials have reported that valerian modestly improves subjective sleep quality without the next-day grogginess associated with sedative medications, though study quality varies.
- Trials commonly used 300–600 mg of root extract taken 30 minutes to 2 hours before bed for 2–4 weeks.
- Combinations of valerian with lemon balm or hops have also been studied, with results similar to valerian alone.
Doses used in research
Most trials used 300–600 mg of standardized root extract (0.8% valerenic acid) taken 30 minutes to 2 hours before bed, nightly, for at least two weeks. Evening Calm & Sleep uses 400 mg taken 2–3 hours before bed.
Interactions and cautions
Valerian adds to the effect of anything else that works on GABA: benzodiazepines, zolpidem and similar sleep drugs, barbiturates, opioids, sedating antihistamines, and alcohol. Combining them can cause excessive sedation and impaired breathing in the worst case. Do not drive after an evening dose. Rare liver reactions have been reported. Stop two weeks before surgery, because it can interact with anesthesia.
| Drug / condition | Severity | Why | What to do |
|---|
| Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, Z-drugs, opioids, alcohol, antihistamines | MAJOR | Additive CNS depression | Do not combine; no driving |
| Anesthesia | MODERATE | Prolonged sedation; withdrawal-like symptoms | Stop 2 weeks pre-surgery |
| CYP3A4 substrates | MINOR | Weak inhibition | Monitor |
| Hepatotoxic drugs / liver disease | MINOR | Rare hepatotoxicity reports | Monitor |
| Loperamide, St. John's Wort, fluoxetine | MINOR | Case reports of delirium/serotonergic effects | Caution |
Who should not take it without a provider's approval: Anyone taking prescription sleep medication, benzodiazepines, or opioids without provider approval; alcohol on the same evening; pregnancy and nursing; two weeks before surgery; children.
Where we use it
Valerian extract 400 mg is in Evening Calm & Sleep, together with passionflower, L-theanine, lemon balm, magnolia bark, and ashwagandha. It is not in any other N&O LLC formula.
Related: Product Guide & Interactions · Herb & Ingredient Library · Shop
Dr. Paulette Y. Jones holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership (DNP-L) and is a Registered Nurse with nearly thirty years of clinical experience. She is the founder and formulator of N&O LLC. This article is for education only and is not medical advice. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. N&O LLC products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or combining any supplement with a medication.
About the Formulator. Dr. Paulette Y. Jones holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a specialization in Nursing Leadership (DNP-L) and is a Registered Nurse (RN). Dr. Jones is not a medical doctor (MD or DO), is not a nurse practitioner (NP or APRN), and is not a licensed independent prescriber. She does not hold prescriptive authority and does not practice medicine. In connection with N&O LLC, Dr. Jones acts solely as a product formulator, researcher, and wellness entrepreneur. Nothing on this website, on N&O LLC packaging, or in any communication from N&O LLC constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and no provider–patient relationship is created by purchasing or using any N&O LLC product.
Consult Your Provider First. Before taking any N&O LLC supplement, powder, capsule, or tea, consult your own primary care provider, prescribing clinician, or pharmacist — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive; under 18; taking any prescription medication (including blood thinners, diabetes, blood pressure or heart medication, antidepressants or other psychiatric medication, thyroid or seizure medication, immunosuppressants, or disease-modifying therapies); living with a diagnosed medical condition; or scheduled for surgery. Bring the full ingredient list to that conversation. Your provider, not N&O LLC, should decide whether a product is appropriate for you.
Regulatory Statement. *These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. N&O LLC products are dietary supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplements are not a substitute for prescribed medication, and no N&O LLC product should be used to replace, reduce, or discontinue any medication without the direction of the prescribing provider. Product and protocol names (including “Shield,” “Guardian,” “Protect,” and similar words) are brand names describing intended wellness support and do not represent claims of medical efficacy. Interaction information is compiled from published literature, is not exhaustive, and should be re-verified with a professional before being relied upon. If you experience an unexpected symptom, stop use and contact your provider.