The safety of valerian during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not yet been established through clinical (human) studies.[1]
While in vitro studies have noted that valerenic acid doesn’t cross the placenta, it’s important to consider that valerian comprises multiple constituents, some of which may not have been tested.[2]
Finally, one study on rats observed that high doses of postpartum valerian supplementation altered maternal milk composition.[3] These results should be further investigated by clinical studies.
References
- ^Valerian fact sheet for health professionals. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), updated 2013 March 25; cited October 2023
- ^Spiess D, Abegg VF, Chauveau A, Rath J, Treyer A, Reinehr M, Kuoni S, Oufir M, Potterat O, Hamburger M, Simões-Wüst APTransplacental passage of hyperforin, hypericin, and valerenic acid.Front Pharmacol.(2023)
- ^Carvalho DP, Peters VM, Dias AF, Dutra SCPL, Guerra MOValerian treatment during the postpartum period alters breast milk composition and impairs long-term memory in female rat offspring.Braz J Med Biol Res.(2021)