Case Study On Valerian Root

The patient complaint selected for this assignment was insomnia, and the herbal therapy or nonprescription medication chosen to address the patient complaint is valerian root (Valeriana officinalis L.). In addition to difficulty falling and staying asleep (insomnia), valerian root is also used for anxiety and restlessness by seemingly inhibiting the uptake and increasing presynaptic release of GABA (Woo, & Wynne, 2012). When used as a monotherapy, or in combination with other herbal remedies, valerian root has been shown to improve sleep disturbances in adults and in children (Gromball, Beschorner, Wantzen, Paulsen, & Burkart, 2014). In fact, it has previously shown efficacy and excellent tolerability in children < 12 years who suffer from restlessness as well as insomnia by significantly improving parent-rated social behavior and sleep (Gromball et al., 2014).
111). At the recommended dosages, valerian has no adverse reactions. However, cardiac disturbances, excitability, headache, and nausea have been reported at dosages ≥ 2.5 g (Woo, & Wynne, 2012). Additionally, valerian can potentiate CNS depressants, such as alcohol, which makes it imperative for the NP to assess alcohol consumption and provide the necessary education regarding the potential for adverse