Valarian Root (Valeriana officinalis).
Valarian can help releive headaches, it can help anxiety, reduces stress and help insomnia.
The use of valerian root dates back to the Greek and Roman Empires and was noted by Hippocrates to treat headaches, nervousness, trembling, and heart palpitations.
There are also some alternative practitioners today who use valarian to treat many conditions to name a few insomnia, anxiety, headaches, digestive problems, menopause symptoms, and post-exercise muscle pain and fatigue.
How valarian relaxes the brain isnt yet known, but one theory is that “valerenic acid” stimulates a chemical messanger in the brain called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), this calms the nervous system.
Valarian is a seditive.
Doses
Sleep:
- 400-600mg tablet
- 30 mins to an hour before bedtime
- This can also be sipped in an infusion
Mild stress or anxiety:
- 400-600mg up to 3 yimes a day.
Please speak to your doctor before introducing any new medication.
NOT recommended for:
- under 18 year olds,
- pregnant or breast feeding women,
- anyone with allergies to valarian,
- anyone drinking alcohol or taking seditives,
- anyone already taking medication for sleep or anxiety.
- Please do NOT use valarian bath products if you have an open wound, fever, skin problems or serious heart or circulatory issues.
Although side effects are usually mild, if any and may include headache, dizziness, itchiness, upset stomach, dry mouth, vivid dreams, and daytime drowsiness.
Personally I find sleep aids such as Valarian “too strong” causing severe drowsiness the next day I will be writing about Chamomile and Passion flowers in my next few posts. These I use on a regular basis without the drowsy effects and will be writting about their amazing health benefits.