Can I take valerian every day? Timing and risks

Valerian can be taken daily for a limited period if the specific medication's instructions direct and the individual tolerates it well. However, daily use for months or years cannot be considered proven safe: there is insufficient high-quality data on long-term, continuous use. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that valerian has been used in adults with an acceptable safety profile at doses of 300-600 mg per day for up to six weeks, but the safety of longer-term use is unknown. [1]

For some valerian root products licensed in Europe, the European Medicines Agency recommends regular use for 2-4 weeks, as the expected effect develops gradually. If symptoms persist or worsen after two weeks of continuous use, the EMA recommends consulting a doctor or pharmacist. These timeframes apply to specific dosage forms and do not necessarily mean that every valerian supplement should be taken for four weeks. [2]

There are eight-week clinical studies in which daily use of certain valerian preparations was not associated with serious safety concerns. However, an eight-week study does not answer the question of whether taking the drug for six months, a year, or continuously is safe. The EMA's current public review explicitly notes the lack of comparative studies of long-term treatment. [3]

Therefore, the practical answer is: a short daily course is possible; continuous daily use without reassessing the need is not a recommended strategy. If valerian is needed every evening for weeks or months for sleep or every day "for calm," it's worth identifying the cause of the symptoms rather than automatically extending the course.

Does "every day" mean a week, a month, or a year?

The word "daily" itself doesn't speak much to safety. Taking a drug seven evenings in a row and taking it nonstop for two years are two completely different situations.

Most clinical studies of valerian have been relatively short-term. The NCCIH considers it generally acceptable for short-term use by most adults and notes that doses of 300-600 mg per day have been used for up to six weeks. This is a description of the safety profiles studied, not a universal recommendation to take this amount of valerian daily. [4]

Several randomized trials have used eight-week treatments. For example, in a study of 227 patients undergoing cancer treatment, participants took 450 mg of standardized valerian root nightly for eight weeks. No significant differences in overall toxicity were found between valerian and placebo. However, the primary measure of sleep quality also did not improve. [5]

In another eight-week study, 80 adults with sleep complaints took a specific standardized extract daily. The researchers found no significant changes in vital signs, blood tests, or biochemical parameters; the adverse events reported were mild and not considered drug-related. This suggests that the extract was well tolerated in this group over eight weeks, but does not establish the safety of all valerian preparations for long-term or long-term use. [6]

Therefore, it is more correct to consider duration as a continuum.

Duration of daily intake	What can I say?
A few days	Typically refers to short-term use
2-4 weeks	This course is prescribed by the EMA for some medicinal products.
Up to 6 weeks	NCCIH has data showing acceptable short-term safety at the doses studied.
About 8 weeks	There are isolated clinical trials without significant safety signals.
Several months	There is significantly less data
A year or longer	Reliable safety for regular use has not been established.
Permanently without time limitation	This regime does not have sufficient evidence support.

The sources for these time intervals refer to different drugs and populations; the table cannot be converted into a universal treatment regimen. [7]

Why does EMA say the course is 2-4 weeks?

Because certain valerian preparations are considered to be gradual-release medications, rather than typical rapid, on-demand sleep aids.

The current European monograph for dry ethanol extract states that valerian is not suitable for acute treatment of mild nervous tension or sleep disorders. For optimal results, continuous use for 2-4 weeks is recommended. If symptoms persist or worsen after two weeks, consult a doctor or pharmacist. [8]

This formulation is sometimes incorrectly translated into advice: "You must take valerian for a month, otherwise it won't work." This is not what the evidence base states. Firstly, the EMA recommendations apply to specific pharmaceutical-grade medications. Secondly, clinical studies of valerian itself yield inconsistent results. [9]

The EMA also distinguishes between drugs with well-established use and forms approved based on traditional use. For traditional drugs, the history of use is an important part of the regulatory assessment and is not equivalent to evidence from current randomized therapy. [10]

Therefore, 2-4 weeks is a regulatory scheme for certain products, and not a medical rule that anyone should take any valerian every day for a month.

Can I take valerian every night to help me sleep?

A short course is possible. Using it every evening indefinitely due to chronic insomnia is not an evidence-based strategy.

The most recent umbrella review of the effectiveness of valerian for sleep disorders included eight systematic reviews. The authors found possible subjective improvement in sleep quality but did not find convincing evidence of valerian's effectiveness as a treatment for insomnia or consistent improvement in quantitative and objective sleep parameters. [11]

The 2023 European Insomnia Guidelines do not recommend herbal remedies for the treatment of insomnia due to insufficient evidence. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia remains the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. [12]

The 2025 VA/DoD guideline update also recommends against the use of valerian for chronic insomnia; the recommendation is considered a "weak against." The working group rated the quality of the evidence as very low and noted that the use of poorly proven supplements may delay more effective treatment. [13]

Therefore, if a person takes valerian every evening because they constantly cannot sleep without it, it is more important to deal with the insomnia than simply continue taking the drug.

And if valerian really helps?

Individual positive effects are possible. The lack of convincing efficacy across studies does not mean that each individual will necessarily experience no benefit.

In one 2024 study, a specific standardized extract improved subjective and some objective sleep measures over eight weeks. The drug was well tolerated. However, the study included only 80 randomized participants, focused on one specific extract, and does not address the safety of long-term or long-term use. [14]

If a person subjectively finds valerian helpful, it's wise to evaluate specific changes: whether they fall asleep faster, wake up less often, feel better in the morning, and whether daytime sluggishness has developed. It's equally important to periodically check whether the need for the supplement continues.

The situation of “I’ve been taking it every night for a year because I’m afraid to try without it” is fundamentally different from the situation of “I’ve completed a two-week course and am evaluating the effect.”

Is valerian addictive?

There is no convincing evidence of typical drug dependence on valerian, comparable to that of some prescription sedatives. However, it is also impossible to claim that long-term use is fundamentally incapable of causing withdrawal problems.

The NCCIH reports that after chronic use, symptoms have been described upon abrupt discontinuation: anxiety, irritability, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, and, in rare reports, hallucinations. How often this occurs and at what doses has not been reliably established. [15]

This differs significantly from the proven dependence syndrome, the incidence and mechanisms of which have been well studied for certain medications. A few reports of withdrawal symptoms do not automatically qualify valerian as "addictive."

However, the popular saying "it's impossible to become addicted to valerian, so you can take it for life" doesn't correspond to the available data. Long-term studies are lacking, and there are reports of problems after chronic use. [16]

If a person has been taking high doses or multiple sedatives for a long time, it is best to discuss discontinuing treatment with a doctor rather than independently developing a treatment plan based on online advice.

Does tolerance develop? Do I need to increase the dose over time?

There is no reliable evidence of clinical tolerance to valerian.

It's often claimed online that after a few weeks, the body "adapts" to the medication, requiring more pills. There's insufficient high-quality data to support this consistent effect.

But in practice, this doesn't mean the dose can be increased without limitation. If the previously used amount no longer produces the expected effect, there may be entirely different explanations: the initial effect was mild, sleep disturbances have worsened, another cause of insomnia has emerged, or the drug itself has a different composition.

Furthermore, dosages of different products cannot be compared simply by milligrams. EMA considers ground root, powder, liquid extracts, and various dry extracts with different ratios of raw materials and solvents; therefore, for example, 500 mg of root powder and 500 mg of concentrated dry extract are not the same pharmacologically. [17]

When the effect decreases, it is more reasonable to reconsider the purpose and necessity of treatment than to gradually increase the dose.

What happens if you take valerian for months?

We simply don't have enough high-quality data to confidently describe the risks of daily use over many months.

The NCCIH states this directly as "long-term safety is unknown." Similarly, the US National Institutes of Health, in a professional handbook, notes the lack of long-term safety data. [18]

The EMA's current public review, updated in 2026, states that there are no comparative studies of long-term treatment. [19]

This is more important than any arbitrary boundary like "valerian becomes dangerous after 60 days." Science hasn't established a sharp time threshold after which the drug's safety profile suddenly changes.

A more correct way to put it is that the further the duration of use extends beyond the few weeks studied, the less certain it is that the known short-term safety profile remains unchanged.

Is eight weeks of daily use safe?

There is evidence that some drugs were tolerated quite well for eight weeks, but this result cannot be generalized to all products and all groups of people.

In a 2024 randomized trial, adults took a standardized extract daily for eight weeks. Researchers monitored blood pressure and other vital signs, complete blood count, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatinine. No clinically significant differences from placebo were found; no serious adverse events were reported. [20]

In a larger eight-week study of 450 mg of root in patients undergoing cancer treatment, overall toxicity was also not significantly different from placebo.[21]

These results are reassuring for short-term use, but they are not equivalent to a chronic safety study. This requires significantly longer-term observations with a larger number of participants and sufficient power to detect rare side effects.

Can daily valerian harm the liver?

Liver damage has been described but is a very rare event.

The NCCIH reports extremely rare cases of liver injury, most often with the use of valerian in multi-ingredient herbal products. Because of this, it is sometimes difficult to determine the causative role of valerian itself. [22]

The LiverTox database of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in the United States considers valerian to be a probable, rare cause of clinically apparent drug-induced liver injury. Published cases are few, and in several, other herbs were used concurrently. In the reported cases, injury typically appeared several weeks after initiation of use and often resolved after discontinuation of the drug. [23]

In 2025, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reviewed the labeling of medicines containing Valeriana officinalis. Such products in Australia must warn consumers that, in rare cases, valerian may cause liver damage and advise them to stop taking the medicine and seek medical attention if jaundice or unusual symptoms consistent with liver damage occur. [24]

This doesn't mean that every person taking valerian for two weeks needs regular liver tests. The risk appears very small. But the claim that "valerian is completely harmless to the liver because it's natural" is also incorrect.

What symptoms may indicate a liver problem?

In rare drug-induced liver injury, warning signs include yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, persistent nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, or generalized itching. These symptoms are included in the Australian mandatory warning for valerian-containing products. [25]

If such symptoms occur after starting a herbal remedy, it should not be continued "until the end of the course." A medical evaluation and, as a rule, liver function tests are necessary.

Particular caution is advisable for people with pre-existing liver disease or taking multiple medications and supplements. However, the rare reports of hepatotoxicity do not necessarily mean that valerian is a common liver culprit.

What side effects may occur with daily use?

The most frequently reported adverse reactions are relatively mild.

The NCCIH lists headache, stomach discomfort, feeling lethargic, agitation or restlessness, and vivid dreams.[26]

The EMA lists nausea and abdominal cramps for approved medicinal products; the frequency of these reactions is unknown. The agency also warns that valerian may affect the ability to drive and operate machinery. [27]

For some people, the main side effect may not occur in the evening, but in the morning: if after taking the drug at night, lethargy persists, alertness decreases, or a feeling of a "heavy head" appears, the treatment cannot be considered successful just because falling asleep has become a little faster.

Daily use increases the number of situations in which this effect can be significant - for example, when driving in the morning or doing work that requires quick reactions.

Can valerian, on the contrary, increase anxiety?

Yes, such an individual reaction has been described.

The NCCIH lists agitation and restlessness as possible side effects.[28]

This doesn't mean that valerian typically causes anxiety. However, if the medication is taken daily "for nerves" and a person notices increased irritability, agitation, or poor sleep after starting the course, automatically increasing the dosage is unwise.

In such a situation, it is more important to check the temporary connection between the symptoms and the drug and consider its discontinuation or replacement together with a healthcare professional.

Can valerian be combined with alcohol on a daily basis?

No, this combination is not recommended.

The NCCIH advises against combining valerian with alcohol or sedatives due to the potential for additive central nervous system depressant effects.[29]

If valerian is taken every evening and alcohol is also consumed regularly, this is especially important: the risk is not related to the fact that the products are in the stomach at the same time, but to the overlapping effect on the nervous system.

Therefore, the rule “two hours have passed between wine and valerian - then there is no longer an interaction” is not scientifically proven.

And together with sleeping pills or sedatives

It is not advisable to add valerian to other sedatives on your own.

The National Institutes of Health's Professional Handbook indicates that additive effects with benzodiazepines, barbiturates, other central nervous system depressants, and some sedatives are theoretically possible.[30]

The NCCIH offers a simpler practical recommendation: do not combine valerian with sedatives without discussing it with a healthcare professional. [31]

The EMA also states that no specific drug interactions were described in the literature at the time of the assessment. This is not a contradiction. The absence of a proven pharmacokinetic interaction does not exclude the possibility of a pharmacodynamic interaction involving drowsiness and lethargy. [32]

It is especially important not to use valerian as a basis for independently reducing or discontinuing a prescribed sleeping pill, antidepressant, anti-anxiety drug, or other medication.

Do you need to take breaks?

Science has not established a standard scheme like “take a month and rest for a week.”

Such recommendations are often found on the internet, but there is no good evidence base for a specific number of days of use and a mandatory break.

A more reasonable approach is to use valerian for a limited time in accordance with the instructions for a particular drug, evaluate the result, and then decide whether there is any reason to continue treatment.

The EMA for a specific extract recommends 2-4 weeks of treatment and medical advice if symptoms do not improve after two weeks. The NCCIH has data primarily on short-term use of up to six weeks. [33]

That is, the question should not be “After how many days should I take a break?”, but “Why is the drug still needed and is there a proven benefit to continuing it?”

If you stop taking valerian after a few weeks

After a typical short course, severe withdrawal symptoms are not expected to occur, but there are few high-quality studies on this issue.

The NCCIH reports cases of withdrawal symptoms after chronic use, including anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. Therefore, especially after long-term or high-dose self-administration, it cannot be reliably guaranteed that abrupt cessation will always be completely unnoticeable. [34]

There is no reason to create a mandatory, complex, gradual reduction regimen for each person after several weeks of standard use.

If the drug has been used for months, in large quantities, or with other sedatives, the decision to discontinue is best individualized.

Is it necessary to increase the dose when taking it daily?

No. The absence of the expected effect is not a reason to independently increase the dose.

Valerian has a mixed evidence base for its effectiveness. The most recent umbrella review did not support it as a treatment for insomnia. Therefore, the lack of improvement may not indicate "too little valerian," but rather a lack of clinically significant effect in this particular individual. [35]

Furthermore, the dosages of different preparations are not equivalent. The European monograph includes forms with different extraction ratios and different solvents, as well as powder, tea, and liquid preparations. [36]

Therefore, the number of milligrams on the packaging should be interpreted only in conjunction with the composition and instructions of the specific product.

Tea, tincture, and tablets: are they equally safe to drink every day?

Not necessarily. These forms cannot be considered identical.

Tea typically contains ground plant material. Dry extracts can be many times more concentrated than the raw material. Tinctures vary in the ratio of plant to solvent and may contain ethanol. Combination products add several additional plants or substances, each with its own safety profile.

The EMA lists many different dosage forms of Valeriana officinalis and sets separate single doses for them. This is a good example of why the statement "I take 500 mg of valerian daily" without information on the dosage form is uninformative. [37]

Furthermore, the EMA's findings apply to herbal medicinal products that meet pharmaceutical quality requirements. The agency explicitly warns that conventional food supplements do not undergo the same regulatory process. [38]

Therefore, recommendations for a registered extract cannot be automatically transferred to any dietary supplement or home tincture.

Can valerian be taken daily "for stress prevention"?

There is no compelling evidence-based reason for routine prophylactic use.

The NCCIH finds there is insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of valerian for anxiety, stress, depression, and most other conditions.[39]

The EMA allows certain medicinal products for the relief of mild nervous tension and other forms based on traditional use for mild symptoms of mental stress. However, this does not mean that it recommends that healthy people routinely take valerian "for the protection of the nervous system." [40]

If stress is episodic, ongoing pharmacological or herbal support is usually not necessary simply because of the stress itself.

If anxiety has become persistent and disrupts sleep or daily life, it is wiser to assess the anxiety state as a problem rather than turning valerian into a daily, indefinite preventative measure.

Can elderly people take valerian daily?

Age alone does not make valerian prohibited. The European monograph includes adults and the elderly in the standard use categories for certain drugs. [41]

However, older adults are more likely to be taking multiple medications simultaneously, and are more likely to experience nighttime falls, dizziness, and the functional consequences of morning sleepiness. Therefore, even a moderate sedative effect may have greater practical value.

A 2026 review of Valeriana studies specifically highlights the need for additional long-term safety data in the elderly and in patients taking other sedative or metabolically active medications.[42]

Therefore, daily self-administration for months in the elderly requires greater caution than a short course in a young, healthy adult.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Taking valerian regularly in these situations without medical advice is not recommended.

NCCIH notes that there is limited data on safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding.[43]

The EMA takes a more definitive position on valerian medicinal products: use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.[44]

Plant origin is not an argument for safety here: the absence of evidence of harm and proven safety are two different things.

Can valerian be given to children every day?

For medicinal products covered by the European monograph, use in children under 12 years of age is not recommended due to lack of relevant data.[45]

For adolescents over 12 years of age, age restrictions and dosage depend on the specific registered medication. Do not automatically split an adult tablet or use an adult tincture just because the medication is available over-the-counter.

If a child or teenager is regularly unable to sleep, is anxious, or requires a sedative every night, it may be helpful to investigate the cause of these symptoms.

When constant reception is a signal that you need to look for another problem

If valerian is used daily for months, especially for sleep, it may mean that the original problem has become chronic.

The VA/DoD defines chronic insomnia as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep with daytime consequences, occurring at least three times a week for more than three months despite adequate sleep availability. This condition requires a clinical evaluation, not simply a persistent increase in sleep aids. [46]

Current guidelines do not recommend daily valerian as a treatment for chronic insomnia. The VA/DoD 2025 guidelines recommend against its use; the European 2023 guidelines also do not recommend herbal medicine for insomnia. [47]

So the need to “take something every night” can in itself be a useful signal to reassess the situation.

Disturbed sleep can be caused not only by insomnia, but also by sleep-disordered breathing, restless legs syndrome, pain, anxiety or depressive disorders, medications, alcohol, an irregular sleep schedule, and other factors. Treating the underlying cause is often more important than switching from one sedative to another.

A practical approach to daily intake

If a person is considering regular valerian use, it is most reasonable to act not on the principle of "it's natural - you can take it permanently," but on the principle of a limited therapeutic experiment:

1. Check the exact product and instructions. Do not treat tea, root powder, tincture, or standardized dry extract as the same.
2. Do not exceed the recommended dosage for a specific product. The 300-600 mg figure from the NCCIH materials describes the regimens studied and is not a universal dose for all forms. [48]
3. Assess the effect after a limited time. The European medicinal extract is prescribed for a 2-4 week course, with a consultation if symptoms persist after two weeks. [49]
4. Do not continue automatically for months. Long-term safety has not been established. [50]
5. Consider alcohol and other sedatives. Their effects can be additive. [51]
6. Stop use and seek medical attention if signs of possible liver damage occur, such as jaundice, dark urine, or unusual severe weakness.[52]
7. If sleep or anxiety requires daily treatment for months, evaluate the condition itself, and not just continue valerian.

What is often misunderstood

"Valerian is natural, so it's safe to take it regularly." No. Long-term daily use has not been adequately studied, and the NCCIH specifically states its long-term safety as unknown. [53]

"Six weeks is the proven maximum acceptable period." No. Six weeks is the period for which NCCIH has data on acceptable safety of the regimens studied. It is not a biological threshold beyond which a drug automatically becomes dangerous. [54]

"If the EMA recommends 2-4 weeks, then the drug must be taken for a month." No. This is a regimen for certain medications; if symptoms persist after two weeks, the EMA recommends consulting a specialist. [55]

"Valerian never causes problems after withdrawal." This statement is too categorical. The NCCIH reports withdrawal symptoms after chronic use, although their actual frequency and causation are poorly understood. [56]

"Valerian is completely safe for the liver." That's not true. Clinically significant liver damage has been reported very rarely, but such a signal exists and is recognized by LiverTox and the Australian regulator. [57]

"If I've been taking it for a year and feel fine, then its safety for a year has been proven." A positive individual experience is no substitute for systematic data. The absence of problems in one person doesn't answer the question of long-term risk in the population.

Key points from experts

Christopher L. Drake, PhD, is a sleep medicine specialist, director of Sleep Research at Henry Ford Health, and professor of medicine at Michigan State University. Henry Ford Health cites his specialization in sleep medicine and more than two decades of experience researching insomnia. [58]

Drake is a member of the writing group for the 2024 umbrella review of valerian. The study group's conclusion, not the personal quote attributed to him, is that existing systematic reviews do not support valerian as a treatment for insomnia, despite possible subjective improvements in sleep quality. This is crucial for daily use: unless benefits are consistently proven, there is no justification for indefinitely continuing use simply because the remedy is perceived as safe. [59]

Dieter Riemann, Prof. Dr. - Professor Emeritus at the University of Freiburg, specialist in insomnia, sleep psychophysiology, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology; since 2024, speaker of the German Sleep Society. His university profile confirms his long-standing specialization in the field of sleep disorders. [60]

Riemann is the first author of the 2023 European Insomnia Guidelines. The working group recommends cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia as a first-line treatment and does not recommend herbal interventions for the treatment of insomnia due to insufficient evidence. This is especially important for people considering using valerian daily as an ongoing treatment for a chronic sleep disorder. [61]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to drink valerian every day for a month?

For some registered medications, the EMA recommends a 2-4 week course. However, you should follow the instructions for your specific product, as tea, powder, and concentrated extracts vary. [62]

Is it possible to take valerian every day for six weeks?

The NCCIH reports that doses of 300–600 mg per day have been used with acceptable safety for up to six weeks. This does not guarantee the safety of any product or require a six-week regimen. [63]

What about two months?

There are some eight-week studies without significant safety signals, but they examined specific products and limited groups of people. The data is significantly less than for short courses. [64]

Is it possible to take valerian for a year?

There are no reliable data to recommend daily annual use. Long-term safety is considered insufficiently studied. [65]

Should I take a break after a month?

There is no universal, scientifically proven treatment break schedule. After a limited course, it's more important to assess whether there's real benefit and whether there's still a reason for further treatment.

Is valerian addictive?

A typical dependence, similar to that seen with some prescription sedatives, has not been established. However, symptoms have been reported with abrupt withdrawal after chronic use, so the claim of a guaranteed absence of problems is also too categorical. [66]

Is it possible to suddenly stop taking valerian?

After a typical short course, a specific withdrawal regimen is not usually required. However, after long-term or high-dose use, the NCCIH advises against possible withdrawal symptoms; in such situations, it is best to discuss discontinuation with a specialist. [67]

Should I increase the dose if valerian stops helping?

No. There is no compelling reason to increase the dose on your own. Furthermore, the effectiveness of valerian for chronic insomnia has not been proven in general. [68]

Is it possible to drink valerian and alcohol in the evening every day?

Not recommended. Potential for cumulative sedative effects. [69]

Can daily valerian harm the liver?

Very rare - possible. LiverTox lists valerian as a possible rare cause of clinically significant liver injury, and the TGA requires a corresponding warning on products in Australia.[70]

Should everyone taking valerian have liver tests?

For a healthy person on a typical short course of treatment, official sources do not establish a routine requirement for regular monitoring of liver enzymes. However, if symptoms of possible liver damage or existing liver disease occur, the situation requires an individual assessment.

Can you take valerian daily for anxiety?

For anxiety, the evidence base is insufficient. NCCIH does not consider it possible to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of valerian for anxiety. [71]

If valerian helps you sleep, why stop?

There's no need to stop using it just because a certain day has passed. However, with long-term use, it's important to keep in mind that safety over months and years hasn't been established, and a chronic need for sleep aids may require a diagnosis of insomnia itself.

Main

Daily use of valerian is acceptable primarily as a time-limited course, rather than as an indefinite habit. Some European medications recommend 2-4 weeks of regular use; the NCCIH has data on acceptable short-term safety for doses studied for up to six weeks, and some studies lasted eight weeks. [72]

After this point, the level of confidence drops significantly. There is no high-quality evidence to say that taking valerian daily for six months or a year is safe, and the EMA notes the lack of comparative studies of long-term treatment. [73]

Short-term use is well tolerated by most people, but headache, stomach discomfort, lethargy, agitation, and vivid dreams may occur; withdrawal symptoms and, very rarely, liver damage have been reported after chronic use.[74]

If valerian is needed daily for weeks and especially months due to sleep problems, the main question gradually changes from “is it safe to continue?” to “why do I constantly sleep poorly without it?” For chronic insomnia, current European guidelines and the VA/DoD do not recommend valerian as an evidence-based treatment. [75]