hintlSleepvalerian

Does Valerian Have a Positive Effect on Sleep Quality? What Four Studies Show

バレリアン(西洋カノコソウ) · valerian · Last updated:

hintl editorial team / Sleep Research Desk

Sleep genre desk — research review

野原に咲くバレリアン(セイヨウカノコソウ)の、淡いピンクがかった白い花房が茎についている写真
Research data last updated: |How this works

Key points

Multiple human studies report a positive effect.

For sleep quality · 2 studies · 6,966 participants

hintl Evidence Score 79/100 (2 studies, confidence high).

Evidence at a glance

How does valerian affect sleep quality?

promising
79/100 Evidence ScoreConfidence: high2 studies1 RCT
How the 79 is built
Study design base
meta-analysis or systematic review
+40/40
RCT bonus
1 RCT
+5/15
Study count bonus
2 studies
+4/10
Participants bonus
Total 6,966 participants
+20/20
Consistency bonus
human studies agree
+10/10

Scoring method

Multiple human studies report a positive effect.

  • 2 human studies (6,966 participants total)
  • Studies point in broadly the same direction

How does valerian affect sleep onset latency?

reported, but evidence is limited
41/100 Evidence ScoreConfidence: low2 studies1 RCT
How the 41 is built
Study design base
randomized controlled trial
+30/40
RCT bonus
1 RCT
+5/15
Study count bonus
2 studies
+4/10
Participants bonus
Total 16 participants
+2/20
Consistency bonus
needs 2+ human studies
0/10

Scoring method

There are positive reports, but the evidence in humans is still limited.

  • 1 human study (16 participants total)
  • Studies point in broadly the same direction
  • Still unknown: few longer-duration studies

  • There are positive research results reported regarding the potential of valerian to support sleep quality.
  • The evidence score is 79, and the reliability of the information is considered high.
  • This is information for people experiencing sleep-related concerns to learn about the characteristics of this ingredient.

Valerian is a type of herb.

It is sometimes taken in contexts related to sleep.

It has been suggested that valerian may be a safe and effective herb for helping with sleep and keeping related problems at bay. Its usefulness has been examined through large-scale investigations. This is based on research results involving a total of 6,894 people, spanning a wide age range from 7 to 80 years old. What integrated and analyzed many of these studies is a meta-analysis (a method that gathers multiple research papers and statistically summarizes them to clarify overall trends). In other words, this is content examined by accumulating a large amount of data, rather than relying on individual small-scale surveys alone.

There are reports of positive changes in various aspects, such as sleep quality and the state of falling asleep, among people with sleep-related concerns. In one study, changes were observed in multiple sleep-related indicators as a result of continuous use over 60 days. This is a small-scale but important survey involving 72 adults with sleep concerns. This study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial (a reliable experimental method that randomly divides participants to verify the effect of an ingredient). Furthermore, a controlled experiment using a placebo (a fake drug that looks the same as the real drug but contains no active ingredient) was also conducted.

Regarding the specific content of the changes, it has been shown that various sleep-related parameters improved in both the "subjective indicators" (states judged based on one's own sensation) and the "objective indicators" (states shown as numerical values measured by devices). These include overall sleep quality, as well as the time it takes to fall asleep, the proportion of time actually spent sleeping while in bed, and total sleep time. The changes in these indicators were reported as significant within the study.

The research covered a wide age range, from 7 to 80 years old. A survey was also conducted targeting adults with concerns such as mild insomnia symptoms. The effects have been examined in people with some degree of concern about their sleep.

StudyDesignNumber of ParticipantsDurationMain Result
Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine (2020, PMID:33086877)Meta-analysis6,894Not statedA positive effect was reported
Advances in therapy (2024, PMID:37899385)Randomized controlled trial (RCT)7260 daysA positive effect was reported

There is a meta-analysis result involving a diverse group of 6,894 subjects, including those aged 7 to 80. There is also a reported study involving 72 adults with sleep concerns.

These studies show that the subjects include people across a wide age range as well as people with sleep-related concerns.

This content is based on a total of 2 studies. These consist of a meta-analysis and a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

The number of people included in the analysis varies widely, ranging from data involving 6,894 people to a study involving 72 people.

It also includes reports on specific situations, such as those targeting adults with sleep concerns.

What effect is valerian reported to have on sleep quality?

Research has reported a positive effect on sleep quality.

What kind of indicators have been reported regarding valerian?

Among adults with sleep concerns, changes have been reported in items such as sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and total sleep time.

How reliable is the research on valerian?

Research on sleep quality shows high reliability based on 2 studies.

There are several reliable research reports regarding the potential of valerian to support sleep quality. Analysis using large-scale data has suggested a positive effect on various sleep-related indicators. However, since this information is based on a limited number of studies, it does not mean everyone will get the same result, and it may not suit everyone. It is recommended that you first check your current status with the self-check assessment, tailored to your own sleep condition.

References

This page's evaluation is based on the following peer-reviewed studies (4). Each link goes directly to the primary source (PubMed / DOI).

  1. Standardized Extract of Valeriana officinalis Improves Overall Sleep Quality in Human Subjects with Sleep Complaints: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study.randomized controlled trial (RCT) · Advances in therapy · 2024
  2. Valerian Root in Treating Sleep Problems and Associated Disorders-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.meta-analysis · Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine · 2020
  3. The sleep-enhancing effect of valerian inhalation and sleep-shortening effect of lemon inhalation.animal study · Chemical senses · 2006
  4. Critical evaluation of the effect of valerian extract on sleep structure and sleep quality.randomized controlled trial (RCT) · Pharmacopsychiatry · 2000

Things to keep in mind

  • Supplements are not medicines. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or take medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Related items

Evidence Scores are computed mechanically from the published research (PubMed / Semantic Scholar / OpenAlex): study design, participant numbers, and consistency across studies. An LLM is used only to extract study data, never to decide a score.

This is research-based information, not medical advice, and not a diagnosis. Consult a qualified professional about your own situation.

How the Evidence Score is calculated

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hintl editorial team / Sleep Research Desk

Sleep genre desk — research review

We continuously check the published research and translate the technical language into plain terms. The policy is to report a trend in the research, never a flat claim that something "works".

This article was produced by an editorial system from published research and is managed by the editor-in-responsibility (Takuya Hirata, representative of AJARA LLC).