Is It Safe To Take Valerian While On Chemotherapy For Breast Cancer?

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2015

Question: I am starting chemo tomorrow for 6 x sessions every 3 weeks for stage 1 grade ii breast cancer. My oncologist asked me to draw up a list of supplements I take. There was nothing out of the norm in the list, acidophilis, turmeric, vitamin c, super-food additives such as powerded wheat grass. In particular I take valarian to help me sleep at night. She has told me to stay off all. However, I think this was just a blanket fail safe no to cover her. What do you think about valarian as I am a poor sleeper.

Answered by Dr. Munish Sood (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
no evidence of clinically relevant interaction

Detailed Answer:
Dear
Thanks for contacting Ayurveda with your health concern and following is/are different theories related with use of valerian with chemotherapeutic drugs:

1. Many scholars have claimed valerian increase the amount of enzymes, which in turn reduce the therapeutic action of anti cancerous drugs.

2. But since these claims lacks evidence/ research, thus valerian can be safely given to cancer patient to get the 'rest' they need and also to reduce the 'stress' related with cancer treatment ( i.e. the side effects)

3. Also there is no drug-drug interaction found between alprazolam-haloperidol when combined with valerian.

Dr. Munish Sood
Naimittika

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj