HARMFUL EFFECTS OF VALERIAN: LEARN ABOUT THE MOST PROMINENT ONES

 HARMFUL EFFECTS OF VALERIAN: LEARN ABOUT THE MOST PROMINENT ONES

Have you recently started taking Valerian to help you sleep, and would you like to know the harms of this herb and what are the most important warnings for using it? Here are the full details in this article!

Harmful effects of valerian

It is safe to take valerian in the form of tea or nutritional supplements in the specified doses and for a short period of time not exceeding 6 weeks. Like other herbs, it can cause some harm, such as:

Dizziness.

drowsiness.

headache.

Pain and discomfort in the stomach.

Mental confusion and confusion.

Feeling uncomfortable.

Heart palpitations.

insomnia.

Dry mouth.

Night nightmares.

Damage that requires an emergency visit

The herb may cause a severe allergic reaction in some people, so if you notice any of the following symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately:

A rash appears all over your body.

Itch.

Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat.

Breathing difficulty.

Low blood pressure.

You feel sudden dizziness.

Nausea and vomiting.

Accelerated heartbeat.

Weak pulse.

Unconsciousness.

Warnings about using valerian

There are some warnings that must be taken into consideration before using valerian, such as:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is not enough information to prove that valerian is safe to use for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, so it is preferable not to take it.

Surgical operations: You must stop taking valerian two weeks before the scheduled surgery date, because it slows down the work of the central nervous system, and thus affects the action of anesthesia and other medications used during the operation, and this causes problems that may be serious in some cases.

Drug interactions: Valerian can interact with a wide range of medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements. Therefore, it is necessary to inform the doctor about these medications before using the herb. Examples include: anticonvulsants, tranquilizers and sleeping pills, antidepressants, antihistamines (allergy medications), cholesterol medications, and some antifungals.

What is the permissible amount of valerian?

Valerian can be prepared in the form of tea by adding 2-3 grams of dried herb roots in hot water, or using nutritional supplements at a dose of 300-600 milligrams daily for only 6 weeks. If you eat a larger amount than this, you may suffer from the following problems:

headache.

Tummy ache.

Body tremor.

sadness.

Liver damage.

Tips when using valerian herb

Here are the most important tips when using valerian:

Valerian can cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop using it suddenly after a long period of time. To avoid this, it is best to reduce the amount you use over the course of a week or two, then stop it completely.

Do not use valerian while driving, using heavy machinery, or doing things that require you to be alert.

Do not use valerian for more than a month without a doctor’s approval.

Article summary

It is safe to take valerian in the specified doses for a short period, however, one should be aware that it may cause headache, abdominal pain, heart palpitations, dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, and disturbing nightmares at night in some individuals. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor before using it to determine the appropriate dose and duration for taking it, especially if you are taking other medications or suffering from chronic diseases.