|
|
Post by Jim on Apr 9, 2011 10:13:16 GMT -5
Any success stories for things like valerian ect.
|
|
|
|
Post by mnjrutherford on Apr 9, 2011 12:56:52 GMT -5
Good question. I'm ready to be more educated in this area as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by cortona on Apr 9, 2011 16:35:40 GMT -5
good experience with melissa mixed with tiglio (sorry i dont have translations but now i'm very tired too tired to use translator) a friend have a cup of this thea but it are too strong and he fall asleep almost in a second!but he is realy sensible to sedatives!
|
|
|
|
Post by heidihi on Apr 9, 2011 16:55:48 GMT -5
valarian works very well for me ..you have to test how long it takes to put you to sleep though for me it is over an hour ..I use a standardized tincture and it taste/smells vile
|
|
|
|
Post by atash on Apr 10, 2011 0:06:36 GMT -5
Never used it, but Passionflower tonic is a traditional folk remedy for calming the body and increasing appetite.
The species usually used is P. incarnata, the common Maypop of the southeastern states.
Brew it like a tea.
|
|
bertiefox
gardener
There's always tomorrow!
Posts: 236
|
Post by bertiefox on Apr 10, 2011 3:37:55 GMT -5
One I used back in the 1980s when I was suffering badly from stress was Skullcap, Scutelleria laterfolia, which is a member of the mint family. I also used motherwort, which makes a less pleasant tisane or herb tea as it's more bitter. Valerian root should be avoided in my opinion as it's a very powerful drug and can easily be used to excess unless prepared by a proper herbalist.
|
|
|
|
Post by cortona on Apr 10, 2011 6:13:35 GMT -5
i'm looking for skullcap seeds, but i've read somewere that all the scutellaria family have calming effect.
|
|
|
|
Post by garnetmoth on Apr 10, 2011 8:40:05 GMT -5
I took a few of my Moms valerian about 12 years ago when I had to work but had awful cramps. I then had to work with a splitting headache, and awful cramps. Id suggesting trying it before growing it ;-)
|
|
coppice
gardener
gardening curmudgeon
Posts: 149
|
Post by coppice on Apr 10, 2011 8:47:53 GMT -5
Not to complain, only to note this thread is going in more than one direction. 1., The horticultural needs of the plant. 2., The theraputic part of the plant. 3., What is the busy part of a plant good for? 1. I don't have any valerian growing now, after my move.  The top of this plant likes full sun, sandy or friable soil. Make a longish leaf and a large spike with many umbels of tiny perfumed flowers. Easily gets over six feet tall. 2. The roots of this plant are the chemicaly busy parts. Loose friable soil is a boon when washing the root crown. 3. It is often made into fresh root tincture or dried root (in capsules). I suppose it could be made into steeped tea. Tactful authors have described (dried root) it as strongly scented. To my nose it smells more like dirty gym socks. Even fresh root has a distinct celery-from-hell smell. One size does not fill all. If dried doesn't do it for you, try fresh root tincture. Old pharmacopea don't separate out anti-spasm herbs from sedative herbs. Valerian fits into both. It will make you sleepy, and will calm restless legs and some MS caused spasms. The search for effective anti-spasm herbs is more often than not one of trial and error. Again one size does not fill all. |
|
|
|
Post by extremegardener on Apr 10, 2011 9:15:19 GMT -5
Good old garden lettuce is soporific, induces sleepiness. It works for me, anyhow.
|
|
|
|
Post by mnjrutherford on Apr 10, 2011 9:53:09 GMT -5
I've heard of valerian but I'm not sufficiently skilled or knowledgable to feel comfortable using it at this point. Still, I would like to know more.
I think Coppice makes a very good point, that we are going in a lot of directions and this is a vital and important issue.
So far, the herbs mentioned include:
Lettuce
Skullcap
Passionflower
Melissa
Tiglio
I think that is everything? Is it possible to provide a specific recipe with recommended dosage? It would also be helpful to know when to gather, what to gather, and how to process.
I can provide a good example of a recipe with recommended dosing according to purpose. I can PM it or I can post it if you are interested an having an example to follow.
I'm particularly surprised to see lettuce of all things on this list! I got an image of myself face down in a salad plate! ;o)
|
|
|
|
Post by cortona on Apr 10, 2011 11:49:12 GMT -5
melissa 0,5 gr brewed in 100 ml of water 1 or 2 coffee cup after lunch and supper
passiflora 2 gr in 100 ml of water 1 coffee cup after super or as needed; tincture: 20 gr in 100 ml alcool 50 °(8 days infusion) 20 /40 drops before sleeping(the aerial part of the plant is the drug arvested wen the firs fruits are ripe)
tiglio(tilia platyphyllos)(the used part are the flowers )1/2 gr in 100 ml water 2/3 cup at day
tincture:20 gr in 100 ml alcool 30° 5 days infusion, a spoon wen is needed
hope this help and i try to find other recipe in my books.
|
|
|
|
Post by johno on Apr 10, 2011 12:31:00 GMT -5
Old pharmacopea don't separate out anti-spasm herbs from sedative herbs. Valerian fits into both. It will make you sleepy, and will calm restless legs and some MS caused spasms. The search for effective anti-spasm herbs is more often than not one of trial and error. Again one size does not fill all. 'Anti-spasm herbs' sound very interesting to me. If I could find some that worked as well as my prescription without the sedative effects, I'd be very happy. Among the many possible side effects are organ failure and death, and I'm on the max dosage. I'd much rather be making tea. |
|
|
|
Post by heidihi on Apr 11, 2011 8:01:22 GMT -5
Old pharmacopea don't separate out anti-spasm herbs from sedative herbs. Valerian fits into both. It will make you sleepy, and will calm restless legs and some MS caused spasms. The search for effective anti-spasm herbs is more often than not one of trial and error. Again one size does not fill all. 'Anti-spasm herbs' sound very interesting to me. If I could find some that worked as well as my prescription without the sedative effects, I'd be very happy. Among the many possible side effects are organ failure and death, and I'm on the max dosage. I'd much rather be making tea. one word KAVA! it works wonderfully for back spasms but you need to dose carefully as it can affect your liver ..you can buy a tincture and that is far better than capsules for freshness I have a friend from Fiji who brings the root and showed me how to make the tea but really you do have to be careful ..while this drug is as good as any prescription..the temptation for "if a little is good more is better" is there ..because it does work!!! ..I think it works just like a low dose of valium ..you can feel the muscles unlock and the calm roll in when you use it but still read a book ro do work ..it does not drug my brain or make me loopy....I put 1 tbl of grated dried Kava in pint of tepid water shake it as I use it and sip it over the day .....numbs your mouth but it relaxes your muscles that is for darn sure! if you have any liver problems do not drink Kava ..also do not mix Kava and booze ..just a PSA I drink it about 4-6 times a year when something has pulled at muscle so badly I need relief |
|
|
|
Post by pantherrr on Apr 12, 2011 16:05:23 GMT -5
Two of the tinctures that were recommended to me by my naturopath to handle stress while I was pregnant (so are some of the mildest) were Passionflower and California Poppy. Valerian has negative results for me (tastes horrible, and the anti-spasmodic nature clears my digestive tract, have had friends use it in laxative formulas with good results). Wish I could grow passiflora up here, but even in a greenhouse that would be stretching it.
|
|
The top of this plant likes full sun, sandy or friable soil. Make a longish leaf and a large spike with many umbels of tiny perfumed flowers. Easily gets over six feet tall.
