Herbalism

[Medusa]

Part of my New Years promise to myself this year was to start incorporating more natural herbal alternatives into my health routine to replace OTC meds.

So here's a thread to talk about all things herbal! (NO, Not 420!)


Do any of you take valerian root to sleep? or is there something more affective?

[Violette]

Calcium, magnesium, and iodine blend supplement has worked well for me for sleeping. Valerian root didn't work for me, but others I have known have had success with it.

Also, depending on what is keeping me up, reading spiritually based literature has helped me fall asleep.

Meditation has also helped me fall asleep. Often, I use a combination of all of the above.

[Gráinne]

I don't know if melatonin is considered an herb, but I use it occasionally for insomnia with my doctor's blessing.

[Smiling]

Originally Posted by Medusa

Part of my New Years promise to myself this year was to start incorporating more natural herbal alternatives into my health routine to replace OTC meds.

So here's a thread to talk about all things herbal! (NO, Not 420!)


Do any of you take valerian root to sleep? or is there something more affective?

Hi Medusa,
If you are having trouble sleeping, be sure you aren't mineral deficient. That makes a huge difference, believe it or not. Valerian root is okay in my experience, but it didn't really make any appreciable difference in my insomnia.

By the way, it can be addictive. Please take care with the amount you use as well as how often.

A few years ago, I was lucky to have a kinesiologist work on me. He really honed right in on my problem areas just like a laser beam. I found his subsequent nutritional recommendations as well as his suggested vitamin and mineral regimen to be superlative.

Of course, like anything, you need to really look into the background of your practitioners as well as their experience level. YMMV, but if you have someone reputable in your area, it is a great thing to do for yourself.


Great thread!

[Julie]

I take a number of natural remedies and herbs. But for sleep.
I used Dr. Dave's Best *Sleep Wizard* and it is amazing.

It contains Suntheanine, Gaba, Melatonin and 5-HTP.

What I have found about this little miracle worker (for me). If I only get 4 hours sleep, I don't have brain fog and I don't get cranky. The longer I take it, the more sleep I am getting. I wake up feeling rested, regardless of the hours slept. Last night I got 8 hours and I am going through menopause, so sleep does not come easy.

Julie

[Medusa]

Hey Huge-Smile!

It's actually for Jackhammer - Her work hours are crazy so she isn't really able to have a sleep schedule and I suspect that is the biggest culprit. While I only need 5 hours of sleep to function, she needs closer to 7 or 8 and sometimes her work schedule is such that she only gets 4 or 5 at the most.

She has done the ZQuil sleep stuff (which is basically just diphenhydramine) and Melatonin and several other herbal remedies and all have mild success for a short period of time.

Thanks for the head's up on valerian being addictive! I had no idea!

[Smiling]

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/mare...b_3311795.html

[DapperButch]

I am a STRONG believer that inflammation in our bodies is the root of most diseases. If there was only one herb/supplement I was allowed to take, it would be turmeric/curcumin.

Oh, and drink lots of water to get rid of toxins. That is free!

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by Huge-Smile

Hi Medusa,
If you are having trouble sleeping, be sure you aren't mineral deficient. That makes a huge difference, believe it or not. Valerian root is okay in my experience, but it didn't really make any appreciable difference in my insomnia.

By the way, it can be addictive. Please take care with the amount you use as well as how often.

A few years ago, I was lucky to have a kinesiologist work on me. He really honed right in on my problem areas just like a laser beam. I found his subsequent nutritional recommendations as well as his suggested vitamin and mineral regimen to be superlative.

Of course, like anything, you need to really look into the background of your practitioners as well as their experience level. YMMV, but if you have someone reputable in your area, it is a great thing to do for yourself.


Great thread!

I am not sure where you got your information on Valerian Root being addictive, but as a former Health & Beauty Aids buyer for our local health food co-operative, this is news to me.

Valerian root is appropriate for those suffering from mild anxiety and sleeplessness related to menopause/hormonal fluctuations/depression, etc.

That being said, if you are on prescription meds for any of the above, there very well may be contraindicational information that you may want to look in to.

If you drink alcoholic beverages on a regular basis, Valerian can impact your liver/kidney function in a negative manner. When I was having daily panic attacks and taking large doses at night to help me sleep, I noticed a yellowing of my iris' which is an indicator that one's liver/kidneys are being compromised.

As with *any* supplement/additive, when taken for long periods of time, when suddenly discontinued, side-effects can be quite noticeable. Titrating is always the best method, unless otherwise directed by a doctor.

[Smiling]

Hi Novelafemme,

I hope this will help answer your question. Just some basic stuff I quickly dug up, but similar to what I have come across in reading...

Would an addiction event be a very rare occurrence? Yes, of course; but anytime you are introducing a foreign substance into the body; natural or otherwise- especially one that works on chemical responses in the brain in a similar fashion as many pharmaceutical drugs - I think it is a good idea to just at least be aware of all the potential problems it may create.

Mentioning that Valerian can be (not "is;" small, but important distinction) addictive was just meant as a heads up and not to alarm anyone.

See below:

Scientists aren't sure how valerian works, but they believe it increases the amount of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA helps regulate nerve cells and has a calming effect on anxiety. Drugs such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium) also work by increasing the amount of GABA in the brain. Researchers think valerian may have a similar, but weaker effect.
Source: Valerian | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed...#ixzz2r8jPkk19
University of Maryland Medical Center
Follow us: @UMMC on Twitter | MedCenter on Facebook



Source: http://csuvets.colostate.edu/pain/Ar...ian%20Root.pdf


Valerian has an affinity for GABA receptors, likely due to the relatively high GABA content in valerian itself. The amount of GABA present in valerian extract is sufficient to induce release of GABA in synaptosomes and may also inhibit GABA reuptake.

Valerian is used for insomnia and other disorders. Other believed mechanisms of action in valerian include inhibition of the catabolism of GABA by valerenolic acid and acetylvalerenolic acid and affinity for the 5-HTA receptor by another constituent of valerian, called hydroxy pinoresinol.

Valerian side effects may include addiction similar to that which occurs with drugs, reports Medline Plus. Valerian withdrawal has been noted in chronic users: confusion, delirium and rapid heartbeat. Another side effect of valerian use is a drug "hangover," reports Medline Plus.

Valerian has the potential for negative side effects on the heart and liver, according to Aetna Intelihealth. Liver toxicity has occurred with the use of herbal preparations that contain valerian, reports Medline Plus. Also, valerian may interact with anti-seizure medications.
Source: http://survivingantidepressants.org/...valerian-root/

[I could not locate the original Medline article containing these quotes, so I used excerpts from a discussion board; not the best source, but I'm not writing a paper, so bear with me]

Hitting submit before I lose this post again. My iPad keeps crashing!

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

I am not sure where you got your information on Valerian Root being addictive, but as a former Health & Beauty Aids buyer for our local health food co-operative, this is news to me.

Valerian root is appropriate for those suffering from mild anxiety and sleeplessness related to menopause/hormonal fluctuations/depression, etc.

That being said, if you are on prescription meds for any of the above, there very well may be contraindicational information that you may want to look in to.

If you drink alcoholic beverages on a regular basis, Valerian can impact your liver/kidney function in a negative manner. When I was having daily panic attacks and taking large doses at night to help me sleep, I noticed a yellowing of my iris' which is an indicator that one's liver/kidneys are being compromised.

As with *any* supplement/additive, when taken for long periods of time, when suddenly discontinued, side-effects can be quite noticeable. Titrating is always the best method, unless otherwise directed by a doctor.

[DapperButch]

Hi, Ms. Holistic Health Counselor (easygoingfemme)! I appreciate you being here.

What is the dosing one should take for the apple cider vinegar? Medusa mentioned one tablespoon two times per day, is that the recommended dose?

Miss Virgin Bride, I see you "thanking" around here and know you have lots to add. Tell us your favorite supplements/herbs for health!

[easygoingfemme]

Dapper: For a morning elixer drink (warm water, raw honey, lemon, acv) I usually recommend A pint of water with 1-2 Tbsp cider vinegar (two is fine, but can be too intense for some) with 1 tsp honey, 1-2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice. You can also add in some cayenne for extra kick.

I also find that, for those who enjoy the flavor, a little bit added to your water during the day can be really nice, and extra good for you.

So if you have low tolerance for the flavor, 1 tbsp a day, twice a day for best results.

Some people I work with who really don't like the flavor will do a shot glass of just the acv, honey, lemon, and a little water, and then chase it with a tall glass of warm water.

[Novelafemme]

Thank you for sharing your information, Huge-Smile (I love your name BTW)!

While I am a big advocate of herbal medicine and Eastern medicine in general, since there is so little up to date research on the long term effects of many herbs, I am always a bit cautious. Especially when mixing them with prescription drugs.

Here at the University of Arizona we have the Center For Integrative Medicine, run by the one and only Dr. Andrew Weil. He implemented the program for reasons such as we are discussing; to dispel rumors and reinforce the positive components of holistic medicine and health. The program has really taken off!

I see him on campus every now and again. Homey needs to slim down a bit

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Medusa

Part of my New Years promise to myself this year was to start incorporating more natural herbal alternatives into my health routine to replace OTC meds.

So here's a thread to talk about all things herbal! (NO, Not 420!)


Do any of you take valerian root to sleep? or is there something more affective?

I think it is great that you are looking for natural sources for sleep. OTC for sleep can be so addictive. I have heard valerian root to help some people. I did not know it was additive, as Huge-Smile said, which is interesting. The best thing we can do for sleep is to go to bed at the same time every night. It sounds like that is not an option for Jack, so that makes it so much worse.

[Uli]

Valerian gave me crazy nightmares. Melatonin works great so long as I don't take it too many nights in a row.

I have itchy skin issues, so I just switch between Benadryl and Melatonin when I can't sleep. Both of them will stop working well if I take them every night.

Thankfully, I can fall asleep on my own at least half the time.

[easygoingfemme]

Valerian has given me crazy nightmares too.

My daughter takes melatonin once in a while. She says it doesn't work, but I think she sleeps a little better with it.

I find Magnesium is great for quieting the mind and body. When I am taking it regularly, which I try to do when I am in PMS mode when everything is just kind of uptight, I sleep and feel better.

Skullcap is good both for headaches and as a relaxation aid/sleep aid.

Rescue Remedy for anxiety/relaxation

My daughter and I both use red raspberry leaf and find it really helps regulate hers, and shorten both of our menstrual cycles.

Ginger and or peppermint for stomach ache issues. Either as a tea, or rub some of the oil on your belly.

Lavender for calming.

Turmeric indeed for inflammation. We have also used it in wound care. Make a paste out of it and put on open area.

Echinacea for boosting the immune system. Tea or a tincture if you are fighting or trying to prevent something.

Tea tree as anti-bacterial topical, also good for "blemishes"

Eucalyptus in a hot steam vaporizer for congestion

So... that's kind of what my medicine chest looks like

It would be good to also learn about homeopathic remedies. Many of them can come in handy when you have them around!

[Medusa]

I have a tincture brewing right now that has some chamomile, lavender, lotus leaf, and passion flower. It has to steep for a couple of weeks but I'm excited to see how it turns out.

Tea tree oil is truly amazing as well! I love putting couple of drops of it in my shampoo and for spot acne treatment. I read that it's also good for athlete's foot and crusty feet! LOL

[Soft*Silver]

Sweet Annie was often placed over tops of cribs to help babies sleep better, but it can have a reaction with some people. Mostly dermal but some can breath it in. It is extremely calming and worth exploring.

[Nat]

Nettle tea makes me feel well-rested, well and less depressed

[Rugged]

I have nothing to add, but I want to thank everyone
For the helpful info