Valerian Forte

These are the questions our naturopaths ask in store about valerian. Almost all of them come back to one thing: Australian labels must carry a liver warning for this herb, so it's worth a minute of your time rather than a quick grab off the shelf.

A good fit if

• You're an adult, you've read the liver warning on the label, and you know what it asks you to watch for
• You want the root taken by mouth, which is the only way Australian rules allow valerian in a listed medicine
• You're happy to stop and get checked if any of the signs in that warning appear, rather than pushing on
• You want to know what the Australian rules say about this herb before you buy it

Check with us first if

• You take prescription medicines. We couldn't find any interaction evidence for valerian, so this is an open question rather than a cleared one.
• You have a liver condition, or you've had liver problems before. The required warning is about the liver, and we have nothing that would tell you where that leaves you.
• You're pregnant or breastfeeding. We couldn't find an Australian position on valerian in pregnancy, and no evidence isn't a green light.
• You're thinking about valerian for a child. The rules set no limit for children either way, and we found nothing to base an answer on.
• You drink alcohol regularly, or take anything else that makes you drowsy, because neither has been researched for this herb.
• You take prescription medicines. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or our naturopaths before you start.

If any of these sound like you, talk to one of our naturopaths or your doctor before you start.

• Everyone taking it by mouth. Under items 5125, 5127 and 5129 of the rules, the label must warn 'In rare cases, valerian may harm the liver. Stop use and see a doctor if you have yellowing skin/eyes or unusual: fatigue, nausea, appetite loss, abdominal pain, dark urine or itching.'
• A liver condition or a history of liver problems. The required warning is about the liver, and we found no evidence on who is at higher risk.
• If you take prescription medicines. We found no evidence on interactions with valerian, so we can't say either way.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. We found no Australian safety position, so it's unanswered rather than cleared.
• Children. The rules set no age limit for valerian, and we found no evidence in children, so there's no basis for a dose or an age.
• Using a valerian product any way other than by mouth, which falls outside what the rules allow in a listed medicine.