Cancer patients valerian also with chemotherapy

Cancer patients: valerian also allowed in chemotherapy

02/10/2014

The calming effect of valerian root extracts has not only long been an integral part of general health knowledge, it has also been scientifically proven by a variety of studies. However, there have recently been claims on the Internet that discredit valerian products. A recent study refutes these rumors.

Cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy are happy to use valerian supplements for nervous restlessness or insomnia. They do not want their body to use any additional chemicals such as benzodiazepines, they also fear the addictive potential of such psychotropic drugs. If what some popular media warn against would be true, taking valerian root preparations would call into question the effect of chemotherapeutic anti-cancer therapy.

A team of physicians and pharmacologists from the Universities of Leipzig and Rostock therefore decided to examine whether there is a scientific basis for such warnings. To do this, the researchers scoured all relevant literature for this topic. Both studies under laboratory conditions and clinical studies in humans were included.

This systematic literature search covered the most important medical data collections, including a database for drug interventions (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol. 2014 (2014), Article ID 879396, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/ 879396).

Conclusion of the authors: In the literature there are no significant references to interactions of valerian extracts with other drugs. Patients who need good sleep urgently warn against the use of valerian is therefore more of a pity than good. When buying valerian supplements should nevertheless pay attention to quality and, if necessary, be advised by the doctor or pharmacist. (KFN)