Try The Valerian Herb For A
Natural Tranquilizer
The Valerian herb has rightly earned the reputation as
nature's tranquilizer. Indeed, this popular herb is known to
calm the nerves without any of the side effects that
prescription drugs have to offer.
The smell of Valerian is known to be strong, distinctive and
unpleasant, but this seems a rather small price to pay for the
effects of this popular herb. The herb was nicknamed phu by the
Greek physician Galen, but its official scientific name is
Valeriana officinalis.
Valerian is one of the best researched of the modern herbs.
It has chemicals called valepotriates that are developed in
valerian extracts. These chemicals appear to have a depressive
activity on the nervous system.
Valerian has been described as pungent, bitter, dry and
cool. The plants constituents are volatile oils (including
isovalerianic acid and borneol), alkaloids, inridoids, and
alkaloids. The herb has several actions. It is a known
tranquilizer, antispasmodic, a diuretic, expectorant, a
carminative, a mild anodyne, and it is known for its ability to
lower the blood pressure.
The most commonly used part of the Valerian plant is the
root. The root is well known for its ability to control nervous
tension. It is highly regarded as an herbal remedy to treat
anxiety and insomnia. The root is also well known for its
ability to strengthen the heart and has been known to reduce
high blood pressure.
The Valerian root is also well known for its ability to aid
in the healing of wounds and ulcers.
The plant is also applied topically to control the symptoms
associated with muscle cramps. Valerian can also be used as an
expectorant. It has been known to help tickling coughs. The
Valerian plant is most commonly harvested in the fall.
There are several other ways to prepare the valerian root.
For instance, it can be prepared into a maceration to treat
insomnia or symptoms of anxiety. Simply soak two tablespoons of
chopped, fresh herb in a cup of cold water for roughly eight to
ten hours.
An Interesting Herb Fact
Using Skullcap to Treat Nervous Disorders
Skullcap is relatively new to the repertoire of European herbs, although it was used in the Americas by native peoples for some time. For instance, it is said that Native Americans used Virginian skullcap to treat rabies and some women used it to help promote menstruation. Skullcap is characterized by flowers that grow only on one side of the plant, and by small dish-shaped seedpods. These days, skullcap is mostly used to treat a variety of nervous disorders. The American skullcap is S....
Many herbalists combine other herbs with this concoction. A
good choice is peppermint, which can be added to the water to
make the taste of the concoction more palatable. Valerian can
also be infused to make a hot tea that can be taken to treat
the symptoms of insomnia and anxiety.
The Valerian herb can also be used to create a
strong and potent tincture. The tincture can be taken to treat
anxiety and insomnia. It is recommended that doses of Valerian
tinctures are started low.
A good dose to start with is 1-2 ml. Some
people are known to develop headaches after using Valerian. You
can avoid this by starting with a low dose. Doses of the
Valerian plant can gradually be increased, if so desired.
|
The Ayurvedic model of healing focuses on
three primal forces:
Prana, or the breath of
life,
Agni, the spirit of light or
fire, and
Soma, or a manifestation of
harmony, cohesiveness, and love.
|
Valerian can also be made into a compress. Simply soak a
clean pad in a tincture and place over the skin to relieve
muscle cramps. A wash can also be created to treat chronic
ulcers and wounds, and it can be used to draw out
splinters.
|