Kava and valerian in the treatment of stress-induced insomnia.
Kava and valerian are herbal remedies, claimed to have anxiolytic and sedative properties respectively, without dependence potential or any appreciable side-effects. In this pilot study, 24 patients suffering from stress-induced insomnia were treated for 6 weeks with kava 120 mg daily. This was followed by 2 weeks off treatment and then, 5 having dropped out, 19 received valerian 600 mg daily for another 6 weeks. Stress was measured in three areas: social, personal and life-events; insomnia in three areas also: time to fall asleep, hours slept and waking mood. Total stress severity was significantly relieved by both compounds (p < 0.01) with no significant differences between them; as was also insomnia (p < 0.01). The proportion of patients with no side-effects was 58% with each drug respectively and the 'commonest' effect was vivid dreams with valerian (16%), followed by dizziness with kava (12% ). These compounds may be useful in the treatment of stress and insomnia but further studies are required to determine their relative roles for such indications.
Wheatley
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Psychopharmacology Research Group, 10 Harley Street, London W1G 9PF, UK. wheatley@ukgateway.net
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020901:Kava; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020919:Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014632:Valerian
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts