Valerian, passionflower and hops: reading the research

Valerian, passionflower and hops come up in almost every conversation about winding down. Each has its own research history, and the best way to read it is by preparation: which extract was studied, how it was used and what was measured.

Valerian: a familiar name with a long history

Valerian usually refers to Valeriana officinalis; its roots and underground stems are used in herbal preparations. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health brings its research and safety information together in one guide. Read the NCCIH valerian guide.

Its long-standing use is a big part of why researchers keep studying it, on its own and in combination with other botanicals.

Passionflower: a study in tea

A 2011 trial by Ngan and Conduit investigated passionflower herbal tea in 41 healthy adults aged 18 to 35 and reported an improvement in self-rated sleep quality. Participants drank each study tea for one week. Read the original tea study.

Sleep research measures several things: sleep quality, total sleep time and time to fall asleep. Each finding belongs to its own measure, which makes every study easy to place. NCCIH gathers the wider passionflower research in one place. Read the NCCIH passionflower guide.

Hops: a combination is its own formulation

In a 2007 four-week trial in adults with sleep difficulties, a specific oral valerian-and-hops extract combination reduced the time taken to fall asleep more than placebo. The study specified its extracts and their preparation, a good example of precise botanical research. Read Koetter and colleagues' trial.

It also shows why blends are studied as a whole. A combination is its own formulation, with its own findings.

What this means when choosing a patch

Deep Sleep is made for your wind-down and calmer nights, without melatonin. It brings valerian and other botanicals together in a clear patch, with every ingredient and amount on the label, down to the milligram.

Read the current product information and use guidance before your first night. For persistent sleep difficulty, seek professional advice about options appropriate to you.

Botanicals also need a suitability check. NCCIH flags potential interactions with medicines and uncertainty about some uses during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The same checks apply when you wear them in a patch. Our Science & standards page explains the evidence we look for.