ABSTRACT
In a double-blind placebo-controlled study in 20 healthy volunteers, Dressling et al. (1992) studied the effects of a standardized preparation containing valerian and lemon balm on poor sleepers (Euvegal, Spitzner Arzneimittelfabrik GmbH, Ettlingen, Germany, 160 mg valerian extract/ 80 mg aqueous/ethanolic dry extract of lemon balm in coated tablet form). The results were compared with placebo and with the benzodiazepine triazolam (0.125 mg). During a prescreening procedure in which placebo was administered, subject groups were further subdivided into good and poor sleepers. Both triazolam and the valerian/lemon balm extract resulted in reduced sleep latency and a significant increase in sleep efficiency in sleep stages three and four (measured as a reduction in the percentage of time spent awake during the sleep period). They also produced an increase in sleep stages three and four in the group of poor sleepers. No rebound effects, daytime sedation, or impairments of concentration or performance were observed from either medication. Dressling and colleagues concluded that the valerian/lemon balm preparation was comparable to triazolam and that its use could be considered an effective alternative to conventional sleep pharmacotherapies.
