The TGA proposed the following label warning for finished products containing Valeriana officinalis. WARNING: Valerian may harm the liver in some people. If you experience yellowing of the skin/eyes, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, weakness, abdominal pain, and/or loss of appetite, stop using this product and see your doctor.
The NHAA is of the view that the evidence is not substantial nor conclusive enough to warrant a label warning. In the cited papers there is a lack of plant authentication, limited information on dosage, and a reliance on a small number of self-limiting case reports despite its extensive global use and popularity. In addition, expert opinion is unable to establish a link between consumption of valerian root and hepatotoxicity. The NHAA response can be found here.
