Kava and valerian in the treatment of stress-induced insomnia

Kava and valerian are herbal remedies, claimed to have anxiolytic and sedat ive properties respectively, without dependence potential or any appreciabl e side-effects. In this pilot study, 24 patients suffering from stress-indu ced insomnia were treated for 6 weeks with kava 120 mg daily. This was foll owed by 2 weeks off treatment and then, 5 having dropped out, 19 received v alerian 600 mg daily for another 6 weeks. Stress was measured in three area s: social, personal and life-events; insomnia in three areas also: time to fall asleep, hours slept and waking mood. Total stress severity was signifi cantly relieved by both compounds (p < 0.01) with no significant difference s between them; as was also insomnia (p < 0.01). The proportion of patients with no side-effects was 58% with each drug respectively and the 'commones t' effect was vivid dreams with valerian (16%), followed by dizziness with kava (12%). These compounds may be useful in the treatment of stress and in somnia but further studies are required to determine their relative roles f or such indications. Copyright <(c)> 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.