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Valerian and Lemon Balm (Valeriana officinalis & Melisa officinalis)

Natural sleep aid

The combination of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) in Songha Night has been shown to help regulate normal sleep patterns

Research Specific extract

The combination of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has been shown to help improve sleep quality1,8,9

 

In Songha Night®, two extracts from Valeriana officinalis and Melissa officinalis, are used together to create a fixed combination that helps to relive tension, restlessness and irritability and help you get a quality night’s sleep.1,8,9

 

Discover more about the fixed combination of valerian and lemon balm extracts used by SFI Health, how they work together, and the key studies that support their benefits when used in Songha Night.

 

Always read the label. Follow the directions of use. Packaging and product claims may vary depending on country-specific regulations. Products available in selected markets only.

Valeriana officinalis and Melissa officinalis in history

Valeriana officinalis L. is a perennial herb, also known as valerian, native to Europe and some parts of Asia. Since the 18th century, valerian extract has been used as a sleeping aid and muscle relaxant. 2,11,12

It is the roots (and rhizome) of the valerian plant from which the extract is obtained. However, the sleep-inducing effect is not from any specific component or ‘active ingredient’, but instead the combination of all components within the extract.

 

Melissa officinalis or lemon balm as it is more commonly known is a perennial herb found in Southern Europe and North Africa. In about AD 50-80, the herb was mentioned to be useful in a number of different indications including stomach pain, constipation and joint pain. Today it is used for its calming effect.3

Valeriana officinalis and Melissa officinalis in history

The specific combination used by SFI Health: valerian & lemon balm

Songha Night contains 120 mg of Valerian officinalis extract and 80 mg of Melissa officinalis extract.

 

The fixed combination of the two herbal extracts is subjected to quality control processes to ensure the reproducibility of the characteristics and means the product's effect can be consistently expected to be delivered each time. 

The beneficial effects of valerian and lemon balm in Songha Night are based on clinical trials in humans. Results from these clinical studies suggests that this fixed combination may:1,8,9

 

  • Help reduce tension, restlessness or irritability
  • Improve daytime wellbeing
  • Enhance quality of night-time sleep
  • Reduce sleep latency
  • Help reduce anxiety
The specific combination used by SFI Health: valerian & lemon balm

How valerian & lemon balm work

Neurotransmitters in the central nervous system are responsible for regulating the sleep cycle.13 The neurotransmitters known as GABA, dopamine and serotonin are ‘relaxers’ while glutamate, glycine and norepinephrine are ‘exciters’.

If there is an imbalance in this system — too much of the excitatory chemicals and not enough of the relaxing ones — then chances are your body's not going to be able to calm down enough to fall asleep quickly or stay asleep all night.

The extracts in Songha Night bring about sleep in two ways:14-16

  • Valerian: Helps prevent the release of excitatory nuerotransmiter, glutamate
  • Lemon Balm: Helps prevent GABA, the nuerotransmiter associated with relaxation and sleep, from breaking down

The calmative properties of Songha Night regulates the body’s natural sleep cycles, ensuring good quality sleep.17 By reducing tension and restlessness Songha Night exerts relaxing effects which facilitate the onset and maintenance of sleep. The quality of sleep is therefore improved, by re-establishing a natural sleep pattern and a healthy sleep profile. These effects enhance the well-being during the day and induce a feeling of being more refreshed the morning following a good night’s sleep.

How valerian & lemon balm work

Songha Night® in clinical trials

There is a large amount of clinical evidence demonstrating the benefit of valerian in the treatment of sleep disturbances, as well as several studies confirming its effect in combination with lemon balm.1,2,4-9 In addition, there are 3 clinical studies specifically using Songha Night. 1,8,9

 

A 2006 review focusing on quality of sleep after valerian treatment in 6 different studies, found that the best improvement of sleep quality was demonstrated by Cerny and colleagues when using the Songha Night product.10

Cerny & Schmid 1999

90 healthy volunteers over 30 days

Improvement

vs. placebo for:

  • Sleep quality

Cerny A, Schmid K. Fitoterapia 1999;70:221–8.

Schwander & Mann 1999

20 patients with psycho-physiological insomnia  4 weeks (3 tablets daily)

Improvement

vs. placebo for:

  • Daytime sleepiness Feeling refreshed after sleep (subjective ratings)

Scwander J, Mann C. KSM Zurzach, Posterabstract 1999.

Kennedy 2006

24 healthy volunteers over 5 study days (3 different doses investigated, with 7 days between each study)

Positive Effect

vs. placebo for:

  • Reduction in anxiety after laboratory induced stress

Kennedy DO, et al. Phytother Res. 2006 Feb;20(2):96-102

Bent 2006

Review of 6 separate studies investigating sleep quality with valerian products

Best Improvement

in sleep quality:

  • Demonstrated in the studies that used Songha Night

Bent S et al. 2006 Dec;119(12):1005-12.

All available safety data demonstrate that the fixed combination of valerian and lemon balm as used in Songha Night is well tolerated.1,8,9

SFI Health Difference

Natural healthcare products can vary considerably depending on how they are produced. Songha Night is produced according to our 'Source to Patient' philosophy which aims to deliver a high quality and consistent extract, from batch to batch so that you can be confident that it can deliver the health benefits demonstrated in the clinical research.

This helps ensure that the natural healthcare products you are getting contains the exact ingredient, in the exact same amounts demonstrated in the clinical research. That's the SFI Health difference.

Songha Night: A Summary

Consistent quality

Through our rigorous processes, quality controls and extensive testing we ensure that the valerian and lemon balm extracts provide the reliable health outcomes demonstrated by clinical trials

Tolerability

No hangover feeling the next day and no reported addictive effects17,18

8 Clinical trials

Through our rigorous processes, quality controls and extensive testing we ensure that the valerian and lemon balm extracts provide the reliable health outcomes demonstrated by clinical trials

Recommended worldwide

to help regulate normal sleep patterns

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Songha Night

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For improved sleep quality and relaxation.

Key ingredient:
Valerian and Lemon Balm

Sleep

Our Source to Patient philosophy

Natural healthcare products can vary considerably depending on how they are produced and the evidence supporting their benefits. Our Source to Patient philosophy is what helps make SFI Health unique.

Learn more about the six precise steps we take
References
  1. Cerny A, Schmid K. Fitoterapia 1999;70:221–8.
  2. Valerianae radix: valerian root. In: Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products.ESCOP monographs, Supplement 2009. 2nd ed.Stuttgart: Thieme 270-279.
  3. Melissae folium: melissa leaf. ESCOP Monographs: the Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products, 2nd Edition, Exeter, ESCOP, 2003 , 324-328 (2003)
  4. Albrecht M, et al. Der Einfluß von Euvegal-Dragees forte auf die Fahrtüchtigkeit und Kombinationswirkungen mit Alkohol. ZFA (Stuttg) 1995; 71: 1215-1225.
  5. Dressing H, et al. Therapiewoche 1992; 42: 726-736.
  6. Maisenbacher J, et al. Ther Woche 1992; 42: 2140-2144.
  7. Orth-Wagner S, Ressin WJ, Friederich I. Z Phytotherapie 1995; 16: 147-156.
  8. Kennedy DO, et al. Phytother Res. 2006 Feb;20(2):96-102.
  9. Scwander J, Mann C. KSM Zurzach, Posterabstract 1999.
  10. Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, Patterson M, Mehling W. Am J Med. 2006 Dec;119(12):1005-12.
  11. German Commission E Monograph. Valerianae radix. Bundesanzeiger 1990; 90:15.
  12. WHO monograph. Radix valerianae. WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. 1999; 1: 267-276.
  13. Gottesmann C. Neuroscience 2002;111(2):231-9.
  14. Pannacci M. et al. Effects of valeriana officinalis and melissa officinalis (the active ingredients of Songha® Night), alone or in combination on glutamate binding and GABA-T activity. International Conference on Advances in Plant Science, November 14–18, 2012, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
  15. Cases J et al. Med J Nutrition Metab 2011;4(3):211–8.
  16. Awad R et al. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2007;85(9):933–42.
  17. Donath F et al. Pharmacopsychiatry 2000;33(2):47-53.
  18. Leathwood PD, Chauffard F. Planta Med 1985(2):144–8. 8. Pagel JF, Parnes BL. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry 2001;3(3):118–25.

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