[Studies on the effect of Harmonicum Much on sleep using polygraphic EEG recordings]

The effects of 60 and 120 mg valerian (1 resp. 2 capsules Harmonicum Much) have been investigated by computer analysis of sleep stages (sleep profiles) and psychometric methods ( questionnaires ). EOG, EMG of cervical muscles, ECG and EEG (two-sided: centro-occipital and fronto-central - have been recorded from 6 male and 5 (3) female healthy volunteers. Amplified signals have been analysed on-line (power spectral analysis) and the sleep profiles have been calculated accordingly. After one night for adaptation, each subject took orally placebo, 60 and 120 mg valerian (1 resp. 2 capsules Harmonicum Much) according to a randomized double-blind repeated measures-design. The sleep investigations have been carried out by distance of a week for each condition (dosage per subject). In the morning following this night, the subjects completed a mood scale. Both dosages showed a decrease of sleep stage 4 and a slight reduction of REM-sleep. Contrary, a slight increase of sleep stage awake, 1 and 2 could be observed. A further increase of sleep stage 3 could be identified. After application of 120 mg valerian , the frequency of REM-phases (in %) declined during the first half of the night, whereas during the second part of the night, a surplus appeared. Changes or the Beta-intensity of the EEG during REM-sleep show a stronger hypnotic effect for the 120 mg dosage than for 60 mg. Maximum effect was observed between 2 and 3 hours post medicationem . Results of the mood scale are indifferent between the experimental conditions, which indicate no negative (side-) effects neither by drug nor by testing methods.