Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Valerenic acid is a primary active constituent of Valeriana officinalis (valerian root), a traditional herbal remedy used for centuries to support relaxation and sleep. The use of valerian and specifically valerenic acid derivatives for stress is supported by both traditional use and emerging scientific evidence, though the overall quality and consistency of scientific data remain moderate to low.

Preclinical studies demonstrate that valerenic acid interacts with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system, particularly as a positive allosteric modulator at GABA_A receptors, which are central to inhibitory neurotransmission and stress regulation in the central nervous system. This mechanism is believed to underlie its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and mild sedative effects observed in animal models.

Human clinical studies with valerian extracts (which contain valerenic acid among other components) report modest benefits in reducing subjective stress, anxiety, and improving sleep, though results are inconsistent and often confounded by study design, placebo effects, and variability in extract composition. There are only a few trials specifically isolating valerenic acid’s effects on stress, and these are generally preliminary.

In summary, while there is scientific rationale for valerenic acid derivatives to support stress reduction based on their action at GABAergic receptors, robust clinical validation is lacking. The evidence supports a possible, but not definitive, benefit, resulting in a moderate evidence rating.

More about Valerenic acid derivatives
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Other ingredients used for Stress

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
7-Keto-DHEA
acetyl l-carnitine
alpha-pinene
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
sesame
black tea
bonito peptide
bupleurum falcatum
California poppy
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cordyceps
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
dong quai root
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish protein
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gardenia
gotu kola
green tea
guayusa
heartwood
hibiscus
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-ornithine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus helveticus
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lavender
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
magnolia
matcha
melatonin
mint
motherwort
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
oat
passionflower
peppermint oil
perilla
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
pine bark
polygala root
pregnenolone
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
rose oil
saffron
sceletium
black ginger
skullcap
spearmint leaf
spinach
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
mulberry
whole adrenal glandular
zinc
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
catnip
cardamom
anise
fumaria parviflora
bee pollen
lingzhi
kanna
silk tree
oriental arborvitae
anemarrhena asphodeloides
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
noni
wood betony
biota seed
goji berry
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aralia
Arjuna
akebia
Antler
Agastache
Agrimony
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Arginine aspartate
Albizia
Anserina
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Algal protein
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Black spruce
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Basidiomycota
Banyan
Brahmi
Bacopa
Buddha's Hand
Borage
banana
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
bacoside
Baicalin
Bird's nest
Centella triterpenes
Common Monkey Flower
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Codonopsis
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Chinese Fleeceflower
Chuchuhuasi
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Catuaba
C-Phycocyanin
cypress
Cowslip
Calamus
Cherimoya
Convolvulus prostratus
Corydalis
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Canscora
Dismutase
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Devil's Club
Date
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Eplotab
Erythrina
Emblicanin
Eurycoma Longifolia
Fo-Ti
Fragrant Rosewood
Ficus religiosa
Fish
Frankincense
Flavones
Goldthread
Gelsemium
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
Galactooligosaccharides
Glycine
Gastrodin
jasmine
Lotus
Mistletoe
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Pistachio
Rose
Spikenard
yohimbine

Other health conditions supported by Valerenic acid derivatives

Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Insomnia
Stress

Products containing Valerenic acid derivatives

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.