Valerian is a remarkable herb that has been used for thousands of years for its calming and sleep-enhancing properties. It is like a friend to children who are sometimes overstimulated, restless or anxious, or who have trouble sleeping. This wonderful herb offers a promising solution for these little adventurers, allowing them to relax and enjoy sweet dreams. It is not only a safe choice, but also an effective way to help them feel better and sleep better!
In this article, you will read:
- What is the effect of valerian on children?
- Why it is important to choose good quality
- Whether it is safe to give your child valerian
What valerian drops do for your child
Various studies show that valerian helps children with a range of problems, from concentration to sleep complaints. For sleep problems, valerian has been shown to help children fall asleep faster, wake up less often and sleep better at doses of 500-640 mg of valerian daily, possibly in combination with 320 mg of lemon balm, for 7 to 8 weeks. This also leads to less fatigue, listlessness and restlessness (Gromball et al., 2014; Francis & Dempster, 2004; Müller & Klement, 2006).
Better sleep can also help with concentration problems, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Because children sleep better and longer, parents also notice that their children's social behaviour improves (Gromball et al., 2014).*
What does science say?
Some people are not entirely sure whether valerian really helps. The varying results from studies may be due to the quality of the valerian used and the way it is made (consistency). It also matters whether valerian is used in combination with other herbs, as some herbs can enhance each other's effects. For example, combining it with lemon balm can increase its effectiveness and help reduce anxiety and improve sleep (Shinjyo et al., 2020).
So if you want to give your child a supplement, make sure you choose a high-quality product and combine it with another herb such as lemon balm.
Is it safe to give your child valerian drops?
Valerian has always been considered safe and effective for children over the age of 12. However, recent research has shown that valerian can also be used safely for children under the age of 12 (Shinjyo et al., 2020). It is important to give valerian for a shorter period of time and to follow the recommended dosage. Dosages of 160 to 320 mg have been found to be safe for children under 12 years of age over a period of 4 to 8 weeks (Ortho Health Foundation, n.d.). There is insufficient safety data available to make recommendations for longer periods. It is important that parents adhere to these dosages to ensure that it works properly and to reduce possible side effects.
* These health claims, made on the basis of plant constituents, are currently under review by the EFSA.
