Merchient’s ingredient library
The library supports 2 wordings for valerian; the strongest is “Traditionally used in herbal medicine to help relieve occasional sleeplessness” (limited, 0.3-12 g dried root (or extract equivalent) a day). Avoid wording that names or implies a disease, a drug or a treatment, such as “Treats insomnia”.
Also called: Valeriana officinalis
Reviewed
Not legal advice. This guide shows the wording that published evidence supports at a daily dose, from the sources linked below; it is not a ruling on any claim. Your own product, its form and dose, and your own evidence still need to match the wording you use.
Supported wordings
Limited evidenceWording 1
Claims Facts
“Traditionally used in herbal medicine to help relieve occasional sleeplessness.”
| Daily dose | 0.3-12 g dried root (or extract equivalent) a day |
|---|---|
| Support | Traditional use in Health Canada’s monograph; ODS calls the clinical evidence on sleep problems inconclusive. |
| Dose details | Adults 18 and older; at most 3.6 g per dose; take 30-60 minutes before bedtime as needed. |
| Form | Dried root, powder or extracts |
| Source | Health Canada monograph: Valerian |
Limited evidenceWording 2
Claims Facts
“Traditionally used in herbal medicine to help relieve restlessness or nervousness.”
| Daily dose | 0.3-12 g dried root (or extract equivalent) a day |
|---|---|
| Support | Traditional use in Health Canada’s monograph; no other listed source supports it. |
| Dose details | Adults 18 and older; at most 3.6 g per dose. |
| Form | Dried root, powder or extracts |
| Source | Health Canada monograph: Valerian |
Wordings to avoid
Claims Facts
| Wording to avoid | Reason |
|---|---|
| “Treats insomnia”Names a sleep disorder; ODS says evidence for valerian in insomnia is inconclusive. | Disease |
| “Works like a sleeping pill”Compares the product to a drug. | Drug |
| “Helps you fall asleep if you have difficulty falling asleep”FDA’s 2000 rule (page 1031) says this implies treating insomnia unless the product is clearly for occasional sleeplessness. | Disease |
| “Helps you fall asleep, without ‘occasional’”FDA’s 2000 rule (page 1031) says help falling asleep implies treating insomnia unless the context makes clear the product is only for occasional sleeplessness. | Disease |
Disease: names or implies a disease. Drug: names a drug or presents the product as one. Treatment: promises to treat, cure or prevent a condition.
Vera, Merchient’s AI employee, reads your site and emails you the riskiest line, why, a safer rewrite and how many more like it she found. Reply, and you get the free first report.
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