Sleeplessness and Valerian
(Valeriana officinalis)
When I was
younger, I went through a stressful job situation that lasted more
than a year. I was involved in some work that was very lucrative
but my heart was not really there. I had difficulties with
management, other employees, and the commute was excessive. But I
do not place the blame on myself or anyone else. This experience
was just that, an experience I needed to go through. Anyway, by the
time I got home at night from this terrible job and long commute I
had 2 hours to shower, eat, and relax before going to bed, and then
get up to do it all again. Well obviously I could not sleep. I
spent most of the night thinking about the mess I was in and staring
at the clock. I soon realized I was going to kill myself with this
pace if I did not get some quality rest each night. So I turned to
an herb that I had read about while studying herbalism, valerian
root.
I bought some
organic valerian root in the cut form from a company I
trust. I would make a strong tea just before bed and drink one half
of the cup. Then, if I woke up later in the night I would finish
the cup. It worked like a charm, I slept deeply every night and it
helped me calm down so I could get through this stressful time.
When I moved on, I stopped taking the valerian with no side effects
whatsoever.
Valerian has a
long history of use for
many centuries as a sedative, a nervine, anti–spasmodic, and
stimulant.
It has also
been reported, that valerian improves sleep quality, and may have
benefits for individuals with stress, premenstrual syndrome,
restless leg syndrome (RLS), and muscle spasms.
German ladies
in the past drank Valerian tea often, resulting in lowered nervous
irritability. In ancient times, the same tea made from this root
was used to treat epilepsy.
Called
nature’s tranquilizer, valerian may work by affecting the central
nervous system, thus it is more a psychological herb rather than a
physiological one. Valerian calms the nerves, relieves pain and
spasms. The roots sedative effect acts to decrease hypochondria and
aggression and bring sleep to those suffering from anxiety,
nervousness, exhaustion and insomnia. Valerian root has been used
for these purposes since pre-Christian times and is cited in
virtually every pharmacopoeia in the world.
Studies on
animals have shown that valerian appears to affect GABA brain
receptors, the amino acid associated with anxiety. It appears that
valerian can help in the treatment of insomnia and other sleep
disorders by working as a sedative to encourage calm and sleep while
also reducing anxiety. Valerian relaxes muscle tissue and relaxes
the central nervous system.
Valerian plays
an important role in detoxing the chemically addicted. It can serve
as a substitute for Valium to help the addict sleep easily, relax
and calm down. Excellent results have been obtained in cases of
hysteria and hypochondria, where the primary causes of difficulty
are emotional or mental. Valerian also antagonizes (opposes) the
hypnotic effects of alcohol. In cases of heart palpitations, it
slows down the heart while strengthening the heartbeat.
Note:
If you are taking a medication check the counter indications of that
medication before you use valerian.
Some medicinal
uses:
After-Birth Pains High Blood Pressure Bronchial
Spasms Convulsions
Heart Palpitations Hysteria Hypochondria Muscle
Spasms Nervous Breakdown
Nervous Conditions Pain Relief Sleeplessness
Valerian does
all the above without the side effects of prescription drugs.
Sources:
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
Herbally Yours, by Penny C.
Royal, Pub. Sound Nutrition, 1997
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