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Who should not take valerian ()?

Before taking valerian, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have any other medical conditions, allergies (especially to plants), or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Valerian may not be recommended in some situations.

Before taking valerian, talk your doctor if you are taking muscle relaxants, other sleep or anxiety medicines, pain medicines, antidepressants, or other medicines that cause drowsiness. These drugs may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking valerian.

Do not use valerian in a bath without first talking to your doctor if you have a skin injury, a skin illness, a fever, an infection, or heart problems. This could be dangerous and should only occur under the supervision of a doctor.

There is no information available regarding the use of valerian by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

How should I take valerian ()?

The use of valerian in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

If you choose to take valerian, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.

Valerian has been used as a tea, a juice from fresh plants, a tincture, an extract, a pill, and as a bath additive.

Do not use valerian in a bath without first talking to your doctor if you have a skin injury, a skin illness, a fever, an infection, or heart problems. This could be dangerous and should occur only under the supervision of a doctor.

Do not take more of this product than is directed.

Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, topical formulations, teas, tinctures, and others) of valerian at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of valerian.

Store Valerian as directed on the package. In general, valerian should be protected from light and moisture and stored in a tightly sealed container.

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