Group 3 Kelly Lyons, Alex Ballo, Ashley Creel, Greg Herot, Ben Lefkovits, Teri Mercurio, Sandra Robinson
Valerian Different parts of the plant is used: Root Oil extracts Juices
Valerian Root: Medicinal Uses Anxiety Tremors Panic Palpitations Sweating Insomnia Relaxes muscles Relieves menstrual pain Remedy for high blood pressure Muscle spasms Colic IBS Asthma Epilepsy
Interesting Uses Dried root is used similarly as catnip Used in bathes to calm muscles Used as soap perfumery
Different Forms of the Root Tincture Tablet Soft gel Liquid Dried herb/ tea Capsule Oil Juices
Dosages of Forms All are recommended to be taken ½ hour to 1 hour before bed Capsules containing whole ground root 400 mg Aqueous extract of dried valerian in capsule 400 mg Dried root in teas 1 tsp per cup Tinctures or liquid extracts 3 ml per dose
Methods College students aged Recorded 7 days of baseline sleeping patterns Recorded 7 days of supplement sleeping patterns Took pills 1 hour before sleep Single-blinded study
Have trouble falling asleep Bad Good
Wake up during the night and have difficulty getting back to sleep Bad Good
Wake up too early in the morning and unable to get back to sleep Bad Good
Get enough sleep Bad Good
Sleep restfully Bad Good
Need an alarm to wake up Bad Good
Wake feeling rested Bad Good
Feel excessively sleepy during the day Bad Good
Feel “mentally” awake during the day Bad Good
Feel “physically” awake during the day Bad Good
Group Results Bad Good
Variables affecting results Drugs/ alcohol Physical activity Time to sleep (eg: 3 am) Ability to predict regular sleep time (eg: take supplement 1-2 hrs before bed, but when did you really fall asleep?) Weekend/ late classes Individuals different sleep patterns
Conclusions Variations in both directions, but not conclusive Most subjects had dreams and felt like they were in REM state Some felt they didn’t receive results anticipated We thought we had the placebo or the supplement didn’t work
Color pill? Blue!