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 UsesAnxiety

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 FormsAll 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 21-22

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

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Subject

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Wake up during the night and have difficulty getting back to sleep

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Subject

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Wake up too early in the morning and unable to get back to sleep

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Subject

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Get enough sleep

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Subject

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Sleep restfully

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Subject

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Need an alarm to wake up

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Subject

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Wake feeling rested

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Subject

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Feel excessively sleepy during the day

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Subject

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Feel “mentally” awake during the day

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Subject

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Feel “physically” awake during the day

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Subject

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Group Results

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Question

BaselineSupplement

Bad

Good

Variables affecting results

Drugs/ alcohol Physical activityTime 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 classesIndividuals different sleep patterns

Conclusions

Variations in both directions, but not conclusiveMost subjects had dreams and felt like they were in REM stateSome felt they didn’t receive results anticipatedWe thought we had the placebo or the supplement didn’t work

Color pill?

Blue!