It is widely known that valerian root is used to calm the nervous system
and helps you to sleep. Actually, you can use the leaves in a calming
tea too, but with a weaker action.
True valerian must not mixed up with a cottage garden plant red valerian (Centranthus ruber),
not very closely related. While red valerian is not poisonous and the
leaves even said to be edible, it has no medical action.
Can you
imagine that valerian flower extracts were used as a perfume in the 16th
century? The scent of valerian is definitively not to everyboy’s
liking.
Because the compounds in valerian produce central nervous
system depression, they should not be used with other depressants, such
as ethanol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opiates, kava, or
antihistamine drugs.
To help calm the body to sleep, the University
of Maryland Medical Center suggests making a tea by pouring 1 cup of
boiling water over 1 tsp. or 2 to 3 g of dried root and steep it for
five to 10 minutes.You may find that you need to take valerian for a
while before it starts to work. Effects may not be felt until taking the
herb every day for at least one month. .
Spring and fall are the best times to harvest valerian’s roots and thin plants as needed.
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