Valeriana officinalis(Valerian)
The traditional use of valerian to promote sleep in people with mild irritability and nervous tension has been verified by numerous clinical trials, which highlight its efficacy and low-risk profile.

The standardised clinically trialled Bio-156 valerian extract, phyto-equivalent to LI-156, has shown to promote the onset of deep sleep, improve sleep quality, enhance a restorative, refreshing sleep and promote the sense of wellbeing, in individuals who have nonorganic insomnia, after 2-6 weeks.[3-6]

Valerian root contains valerenic acids and important essential oils. Valerenic acids exhibit sedative and spasmolytic activity in animal experiments. Both isolated valerenic acid and total valerian extracts have shown to interact with the GABAergic neurotransmitter system, stimulating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release, inhibiting GABA reuptake and influencing GABA receptors.[6,7]

Zizyphus jujuba var. spinosa (Zizyphus)
Zizyphus is widely used in TCM to relieve spontaneous sweating or night sweats as well as for insomnia and irritability, to promote sleep and quiet the spirit.

Saponins (such as jujuboside) and flavonoids (such as spinosin) appear to be responsible for the sleep-promoting effects. Spinosin binds to serotonin receptors mitigating their activity.[8-10]

Prunus cerasus (Sour cherry)
The natural juice of sour/tart cherries contains antioxidants including melatonin, which regulates circadian rhythms and influences sleep patterns. They also contain anti-inflammatory compounds, which may influence pro-inflammatory cytokines that are known to be involved in the regulation of sleep.[11-13]

Lavendula angustifolia (Lavender)
Lavender oil has a long history in traditional western herbal medicine for promoting relaxation in individuals, for mild insomnia due to restlessness.

The volatile oil component of lavender appears responsible for its beneficial effects, as shown in clinical trials.[7,14-16]

• There is insufficient reliable information about the use of valerian and zizyphus in pregnancy and lactation.[11]
• Use of valerian with other herbs and supplements with sedative properties might enhance therapeutic and adverse effects.[11]
• Theoretically, concomitant use of valerian with benzodiazepines may cause additive therapeutic and adverse effects.[11]
• Theoretically, concomitant use of valerian and drugs with sedative and anesthetic properties may cause additive therapeutic and adverse effects[11]
• Theoretically, lavender can potentiate the therapeutic effects and adverse effects of CNS depressants and barbiturates.[11]

[1] Cunnington D, Junge MF, Fernando AT. Insomnia: prevalence, consequences and effective treatment. Med J Aust 2013;199(8):S36-40.
[2] Bartlett DJ, Marshall NS, Williams A, et al. Sleep health New South Wales: chronic sleep restriction and daytime sleepiness. Intern Med J 2008;38(1):24-31.
[3] Donath F, Quispe S, Diefenbach K, et al. Critical evaluation of the effect of valerian extract on sleep structure and sleep quality. Pharmacopsychiatry 2000;33(2):47-53.
[4] Ziegler G, Ploch M, Miettinen-Baumann A, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of valerian extract LI 156 compared with oxazepam in the treatment of non-organic insomnia--a randomized, double-blind, comparative clinical study. Eur J Med Res 2002;7(11):480-486.
[5] Dorn M. Efficacy and tolerability of Baldrian versus oxazepam in non-organic and non-psychiatric insomniacs: a randomised, double-blind, clinical, comparative study. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2000;7(2):79-84.
[6] Vorbach EU, Gourtelmeyer R, Bru¨ning J. Therapy for insomniacs: effectiveness and tolerance of valerian preparations. Psychopharmakotherapie 1996;3:109-115.
[7] Braun L, Cohen M. Herbs and natural supplements: an evidence-based guide, 3rd ed. Sydney: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010.
[8] Wang LE, Cui XY, Cui SY, et al. Potentiating effect of spinosin, a C-glycoside flavonoid of semen Ziziphi spinosae, on pentobarbital-induced sleep may be related to postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors. Phytomedicine 2010;17(6):404-409.
[9] Jiang JG, Huang XJ, Chen J, et al. Comparison of the sedative and hypnotic effects of flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides extracted from semen Ziziphus jujube. Nat Prod Res 2007;21(4):310-320.
[10] Cao JX, Zhang QY, Cui SY, et al. Hypnotic effect of jujubosides from semen Ziziphi spinosae. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;130(1):163-166.
[11] Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database 2013. Viewed 5 Sep 2014, www.naturaldatabase.com
[12] Howatson G, Bell PG, Tallent J, et al. Effect of tart cherry juice (Prunus cerasus) on melatonin levels and enhanced sleep quality. Eur J Nutr 2012;51(8):909-916.
[13] Pigeon WR, Carr M, Gorman C, et al. Effects of a tart cherry juice beverage on the sleep of older adults with insomnia: a pilot study. J Med Food 2010;13(3):579-583.
[14] Kasper S, Gastpar M, Mu¨ller WE, et al. Lavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder - a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetine. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014;17(6):859-869.
[15] Kasper S, Gastpar M, Mu¨ller WE, et al. Silexan, an orally administered lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of ‘subsyndromal’ anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2010;25(5):277-287.
[16] Kasper S. An orally administered lavandula oil preparation (Silexan) for anxiety disorder and related conditions: an evidence based review. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2013;17 Suppl 1:15-22.