Valerian: An underestimated anxiolytic in the community pharmacy?

Abstract

Insomnia, the inability to sleep and feel refreshed the next morning is a common problem reported as the most prevalent sleep disorder worldwide. Recently, special interest has focused on the use of herbal anxiolytics such as valerian root. In the Arab world, and particularly Jordan where it is prescribed by pharmacists, valerian root may be considered a relatively new non-prescription sleep aid.The objective of the current study was to assess pharmacists’ perception and knowledge of valerian pharmacology, explore their dispensing practice of sedatives/hypnotics and to investigate the Jordanian customers’ behaviour and preferences towards sedative/hypnotics.Data from 568 community pharmacists surveyed in Jordan was analysed. Almost one-third of the pharmacists admitted that they were unaware of the anxiolytic mechanism of valerian and half of them described valerian as a “hypnotic” instead of an “anxiolytic”. None knew that it could be hazardous to co-administer valerian with benzodiazepines. Additionally, diphenhydramine was preferred in general over valerian as a sleep aid.It was also found that pharmacists and customers thought valerian to be less effective than pharmaceutical medication in the treatment of insomnia.Our findings reflect a poor knowledge among pharmacists and the community about valerian. The authors suggest it would be beneficial to instigate measures to increase the awareness of herbal products amongst pharmacists.