Natural Medicines Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 36, 09/24/2009

Question

Why should patients not take kava (Piper methysticum) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis) supplements together, especially if they are already taking a benzodiazepine?

Answer

Kava (Piper methysticum) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis) are two natural or herbal medicines available over-the-counter and on the internet that are used separately for the treatment of a number of ailments, but in particular anxiety and insomnia.(1-13)  Since patients may not consider these to be medications, it is possible that they may seek out natural treatments for their conditions, especially if one or more natural medicines and/or prescription medications are not providing the level of control desired.(14-16)  As such, it is plausible that coadministration of kava and valerian could likely occur with the use of two separate supplements or where a supplement may mix the two agents together into one dosage formulation.  Either way, their concomitant use could result in unwanted central nervous system (CNS) side effects.   This would be especially true for patients who... 

There is a figure with this newsletter that shows the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines, kava and valerian. 

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