Can You Take Valerian Root With Sertraline?

There is no well-documented dangerous interaction between valerian root and sertraline (sold as Zoloft), but the two have never been properly studied together, so this is a “check first” situation rather than a clear yes. The most realistic effect is extra drowsiness, not a severe reaction. Because both act on the nervous system and the evidence is thin, the sensible step is to ask the doctor who prescribed your sertraline before you combine them.

If your goal is a calmer day while staying on your medication, there is a better-studied option worth raising with your prescriber, covered further down. You can see what to check on the L-theanine page, and the anxiety guide sets it among other supports.

What valerian root does

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a sedative herb whose root has been used for centuries to ease restlessness and support sleep. Its calming effect is generally attributed to compounds, including valerenic acid, that increase activity at GABA receptors, the brain’s main inhibitory or “calming” signal, rather than to any action on serotonin. A systematic review by Bent and colleagues (2006) concluded that valerian may improve subjective sleep quality, though the trials were small and uneven. The NCCIH page on valerian reaches a similar cautious verdict: some people find it helpful, but the evidence base is limited.

Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It raises serotonin activity in the brain to support mood and anxiety, and it is prescribed and monitored by a clinician.

The theoretical interaction

Two mechanisms are worth thinking through, and neither is a proven danger. The first is additive sedation. Valerian nudges the GABA system toward calm, so on top of any tiredness from sertraline, or alongside alcohol or a sleep aid, you could feel groggier or foggier than usual. The second is the serotonin question. Serotonin syndrome is a genuine risk when serotonergic agents are stacked, and Boyer and Shannon (2005) describe how it develops from an excess of serotonin activity. That risk is well established for pairings like an SSRI with 5-HTP, St John’s wort, or a second antidepressant. Valerian is not a recognised high-serotonin agent, so it does not carry the same red flag. The Memorial Sloan Kettering herb entry on valerian also notes its main documented cautions are around sedation rather than serotonin. The honest limit is that this specific pairing has not been trialled, so “no reported problem” is not the same as “proven safe.”

A better-studied calming option: L-theanine

If the reason you are reaching for valerian is daytime tension or a racing mind while staying on sertraline, L-theanine is a more thoroughly researched place to start. It is the amino acid in tea, and a randomised trial by Hidese and colleagues (2019) found that four weeks of L-theanine supported stress-related symptoms and sleep quality in healthy adults, with a clean tolerability record. It works largely through calming neurotransmission and does not raise serotonin the way 5-HTP does, so it lacks that particular red flag. It has still not been formally tested with sertraline, so it is a conversation to have with your prescriber rather than a free pass.

What to look for in an L-theanine supplement for calm alongside sertraline

If you and your prescriber decide to try it, the label is where the decision is made. Look for a single-ingredient L-theanine product with a clearly stated dose, most trials use 100 to 200 mg, so a supplement in that range is reasonable. The Suntheanine form is the version used in much of the research, which makes it a sensible default. Check for third-party testing so you know the capsule matches the label, and avoid “sleep blend” products that fold in valerian, kava, or other sedatives, since stacking calming agents is exactly what you are trying to avoid while on an SSRI. See the checks laid out on the L-theanine page, and the anxiety guide shows where a single calming amino acid fits before you consider stacking anything.

The bottom line and when to ask

Valerian and sertraline have no well-documented dangerous interaction, but the pair is unstudied and both can add to drowsiness, so treat it as a “clear it first” combination rather than a safe default. Watch for excess sedation, and seek urgent care for any agitation, confusion, sweating, or a racing heart. Above all, do not add, stop, or change any supplement alongside a prescription antidepressant without talking to the clinician who prescribed it.

This article is educational and is not medical advice. For personal guidance see /get-help/ and read our /disclaimer/.

This content supports general wellbeing and does not diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. Speak with a qualified clinician about your medication — see /disclaimer/ and /get-help/.