Valerian for Menopause
A few small trials hint that valerian may ease menopausal hot flashes and sleep problems, but the evidence is too thin and low-quality to recommend it, and major menopause guidelines do not endorse it.
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
The grade reflects a weak, shallow evidence base. Only three small randomized trials have tested valerian for menopause, all conducted in Iran by overlapping research groups. Two double-blind trials reported benefit versus placebo: one found reduced hot-flash severity (PMID 24250592, n=68, p<0.001) and one found better sleep quality on the PSQI, with 30% versus 4% of women improving (PMID 21775910, n=100, p<0.001).
The findings point in a consistent direction but are not convincing. None of the trials reported effect sizes, the samples are small and from a single region, and there is no meta-analysis or Cochrane review. The third trial (PMID 37160299, n=76) was open-label and tested a fennel-valerian combination, so its modest hot-flash and sleep benefits cannot be attributed to valerian alone.
Authorities do not back this use. The Menopause Society's 2023 guidance does not recommend herbal supplements for menopause, and the US FDA lists valerian only as a flavoring agent with no approved health claim, while EFSA has not authorized sleep claims. WHO recognizes valerian as a mild sedative for sleep but warns of drowsiness; because valerian can add to the sedative effect of alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other depressants, caution is warranted for menopausal women already taking sleep aids.
Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditable▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.542
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 無高階證據可裁決
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 1 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status