Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly as a remedy for sleep disturbances such as insomnia and general restlessness. Its use to support or treat nightmares, however, is not as widely documented or central as its use for promoting sleep. Traditional European herbalists sometimes recommended valerian for "bad dreams" or unsettled sleep, based on the herb's calming and sedative properties. The rationale was that by improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety or nervous tension, valerian might indirectly reduce the occurrence of nightmares.

Despite this traditional background, there is little to no robust scientific research directly investigating valerian’s efficacy in preventing or treating nightmares specifically. Most clinical studies focus on its effects on insomnia, sleep latency, and sleep quality, with mixed results and varying degrees of methodological quality. No large-scale or well-controlled trials have evaluated valerian for nightmare frequency or severity. As such, while valerian’s use for nightmares has some basis in traditional practice, scientific validation for this specific indication is lacking.

In sum, valerian’s reputation for helping with nightmares is grounded in its general sedative and anxiolytic properties as recognized in herbal traditions, rather than in strong scientific validation for that particular use.

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