V

valerian A medicinal herb (Valeriana officinalis)
that causes drowsiness and relaxation, commonly
taken as a sleep aid. Until the twentieth century
physicians also used valerian for seizures, to relieve
anxiety, for mild sedation, and as a diuretic. The
valerian root, or rhizome, contains the highest con-
centration of active ingredients and is the source of
medicinal preparations. Though valerian has an
unpleasant taste and smell, herbalists recommend
the tea, brewed from freshly harvested or freeze-
dried rhizomes, for optimal benefit. Other forms,
including capsules and tablets containing ground
valerian root, are also available as dietary supple-
ments in the United States.

VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis)

Uses Risks/Side Effects Interactions

insomnia excessive drowsiness other sleep aids or
relieve medications
anxiety narcotic ANALGESIC
MEDICATIONS
ANTIANXIETY MEDICATIONS
ANTIDEPRESSANT
MEDICATIONS
ANTIHISTAMINE MEDICATIONS
MUSCLE RELAXANT
MEDICATIONS

Efforts to isolate valerian’s active ingredients
have so far eluded researchers, though a number
of clinical studies affirm its effectiveness as a mild
sedative and sleep aid. Health experts recommend
using valerian, like any other sleep aid, for no
longer than two weeks. A doctor should evaluate
sleep disturbances that continue longer. People
who are taking other medications that cause
drowsiness should not take valerian. ALCOHOLcon-

sumption also intensifies the drowsiness effect.

There are no known health risks associated with

valerian, though women who are pregnant or

BREASTFEEDINGshould not take it because doctors

and researchers do not know what effects, if any,

it might have on the developing fetus or newborn

infant.

See also GENERAL ANXIETY DISORDER(GAD); MELA-

TONIN; SLEEP DISORDERS.

visualization A form of MEDITATIONin which the

person envisions his or her desired state of health

or a treatment outcome such as surgery. Hospital

surgery programs, CANCERrecovery programs, and

hospice programs began to integrate visualization

methods in the 1990s. Many people find it calm-

ing and comforting to visualize themselves as

healthy and whole, and many practitioners

believe such visualization improves recovery rates

and levels. Some people prefer guided imagery, in

which a practitioner offers suggested visualizations

and guides the person through the visualization

process. Other people prefer to establish their own

visualizations, and may integrate them with

PRAYER AND SPIRITUALITYpractices.

See also BIOFEEDBACK; LABYRINTH; MIND–BODY

INTERACTIONS; NATIVEAMERICAN HEALING.

vitamin and mineral therapy Doses of vitamins

and minerals that are higher than those typically

recommended for health maintenance. Vitamin

and mineral therapy derives from the perspective

that depletions of vital nutrients are the primary

cause of disease and that preventing these deple-

tions can prevent the health concerns. Vitamin

and mineral therapy in this context differs from

routine vitamin supplementation and treatments

that target specific nutritional deficiencies.

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