Evidence brief · Supplement
Valerian for Subjective sleep
Evidence grade C — Inconsistent
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 1
- graded outcome
- 0
- references listed
Assembled by the app from other entries in this library. It adds no evidence of its own — follow the links to the entries it draws on.
1 at grade C — 1 graded row
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Subjective sleepEvidence grade C
Inconsistent
Smalllow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Subjective sleep (grade C).
The evidence in words
The verdict
For subjective sleep, Valerian earns evidence grade C (small effect, low consistency) — the evidence is limited or mixed. Inconsistent
How it might work
Its valerenic acid appears to modulate GABA-A receptors, producing mild sedation — mechanistically plausible, clinically unreliable.
How to use it
300–600 mg of extract 30–60 minutes before bed; effects, if any, may build over days.
Safety & cautions
Generally safe; additive sedation with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other CNS depressants.
Bottom line
Hit-or-miss. Worth a cheap trial for mild insomnia, but don't stack it with other sedatives and expect some morning fog.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Standard
- 300–600 mg extract, 30–60 min pre-bed.
Goes with
- ValerianRead the full Valerian monographEvidence grade C
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Valerian: dosage and how to take it300–600 mg extract, 30–60 min pre-bed.Evidence grade C
- Valerian: side effects, safety & interactionsGenerally safe; additive sedation with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other CNS depressants.Evidence grade C
- ApigeninThe chamomile flavone behind the bedtime-tea calm — mild, benign, thinly studied as an isolated supplement.Evidence grade C
- Apigenin for Sleep / calmEvidence grade C — Chamomile-level evidenceEvidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own — it is assembled from the entries it links to, whose sources are on their pages.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.