Quick answer
NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements says children younger than 3 should not take valerian, because the risks at that age have not been evaluated. A 2020 systematic review found no severe adverse events in people aged 7 to 80, and two studies of a valerian and lemon balm product in children reported few reactions. Ask your pediatrician first.1,2,3,4
Key facts
- NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements says children younger than 3 should not take valerian, because the possible risks at that age have not been evaluated.1
- NCCIH's valerian page gives no guidance for children or teens.5
- A systematic review of 60 studies reported no severe adverse events with valerian in people aged 7 to 80.2
- Two uncontrolled studies of a fixed valerian and lemon balm combination in school-age children reported few adverse reactions, but cannot be credited to valerian alone.3,4
- The sedative and alcohol cautions in the adult sources are the only ones available for a teen.1,5
What do NIH sources say about children and valerian?
Only one NIH source speaks to age. The Office of Dietary Supplements says children younger than 3 should not take valerian, because the possible risks to children of this age have not been evaluated. It gives no cutoff beyond that and no amount for older children.1
NCCIH's page on valerian does not mention children or teens. So for a 10-year-old or a 16-year-old, the official sources are silent. As with other supplements, silence is a gap in evidence, not a finding that nothing could go wrong.5
What have studies in school-age children looked at?
Most of the studies in children that we found tested a fixed combination of valerian and lemon balm, not valerian alone. The table shows the three sources that include young people.2,3,4
| Source | Who | What was reported about safety |
|---|---|---|
| Systematic review and meta-analysis, 2020 | 60 studies, people aged 7 to 80 | No severe adverse events associated with valerian intake |
| Open multicenter study, 2006 | 918 children under 12 given a fixed valerian and lemon balm product | No adverse events related to the product were reported |
| Observational study, 2014 | 169 primary school children given a fixed valerian and lemon balm product for 7 weeks | Two children had mild, transient adverse reactions |
Weigh these with care. The two product studies had no placebo group, were not blinded, and have authors who work at a herbal medicine company. The 2020 review pooled studies of many kinds and does not report results for teens separately.2,3,4
Which adult cautions apply to a teen?
The cautions in the adult sources are the only ones available for a teen, so a parent has reason to know them. NIH says valerian might add to the effects of sedatives and other medicines that slow the nervous system, and NCCIH says it should not be taken along with alcohol or sedatives.1,5
Side effects of valerian include headache, stomach upset, mental dullness, excitability, uneasiness and vivid dreams.5
The sources do not describe whether these effects differ in people who are still growing.1
Who should ask a doctor?
- A parent considering valerian for any child should ask the pediatrician first, and NIH says children younger than 3 should not take it.1
- A teen who takes a prescription medicine, especially one that causes drowsiness, should ask a doctor or pharmacist before using valerian.1
- Trouble sleeping most nights is worth raising with a doctor for a teen, since the cause may have nothing to do with a supplement.
- Anyone shopping for a children's product should read the label, since some combine valerian with other herbs.
Questions people ask
Is valerian root safe for teens?
NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements gives no guidance for teens, and NCCIH does not mention them. A 2020 systematic review reported no severe adverse events in people aged 7 to 80. Ask your doctor.1,2
Is valerian safe for kids?
NIH says children younger than 3 should not take valerian, because the risks have not been evaluated. For older children, two studies of a valerian and lemon balm combination reported few reactions. Ask your pediatrician.1,3,4
Is valerian root tea safe for teens?
The sources do not measure valerian in tea, and NIH's guidance does not mention teens. Ask your doctor before giving it.1
See what we make
Every product shows its whole label and what its lab report covers. The store opens soon.
Sources
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Valerian: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated March 15, 2013. Opened 2026-10-07.
- Shinjyo N, Waddell G, Green J. Valerian Root in Treating Sleep Problems and Associated Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2020;25:2515690X20967323. Opened 2026-10-07.
- Muller SF, Klement S. A combination of valerian and lemon balm is effective in the treatment of restlessness and dyssomnia in children. Phytomedicine. 2006;13(6):383-387. Opened 2026-10-11.
- Gromball J, Beschorner F, Wantzen C, Paulsen U, Burkart M. Hyperactivity, concentration difficulties and impulsiveness improve during seven weeks' treatment with valerian root and lemon balm extracts in primary school children. Phytomedicine. 2014;21(8-9):1098-1103. Opened 2026-10-11.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Valerian. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health. Last updated May 2025. Opened 2026-10-07.
This page is information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.