Twenty-four years ago I owned my own health food store. A herb product sales representative thought that a product called Nerves & Stress might be a good one to carry. So after trying it I decided to stock in my store. The key ingredient was Valerian, which was known to relax the nervous system & alleviate the tension linked to stress. Many of my customers who complained of high stress levels reported excellent results thanks to this herb.

Valerian:  As more exotic herbs from faraway lands have gained popularity

stress, anxiety…

in North America, Valerian has been forgotten;  except by herbalists who have experienced its benefits firsthand. But a growing body of research is starting to validate what herbalists have been saying for hundreds of years: that Valerian is a great natural herb for relaxing the nervous system, regardless of whether a person is suffering from hyperactivity, restlessness, anxiety or other nervous system issues.

Reducing Anxiety:  The anti-anxiety effects of Valerian can be attributed

stressed?

(in part) to the compound valerenic acid, which is naturally present in the roots of the plant. Researchers who assessed a combination of valerian root extract & lemon balm extract to reduce restlessness, hyperactivity & impulsiveness in elementary school children found that the blend was effective & also significantly improved concentration after only 7 weeks of treatment.

Ritalin vs Valerian:  The herbal medicine may offer an alternative to the

Valerian Flowers

use of Ritalin, which has been shown to increase risk of depression & anxiety in adulthood in those who took the drug as children. Some scientists believe that Ritalin alters the brain’s chemical composition so it has a lasting effect on mental health. Because a child’s brain is growing & developing, the result could be irreversible brain damage. In animal research scientists found that short or long term use of Ritalin caused free radical damage, reduced important brain protecting enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), & resulted in significant change in energy metabolism in the brain in healthy animals.

Drug Interactions:  While the internet if full of misleading information

mental health

about adverse effects of this herb with many drugs, no drug interactions have been reported by the German Commission E, a world authority on the use of herbs. Having said that, I recommend not combining benzodiazepines, a class of drugs used as antianxiety medications (such as Valium), anticonvulsives used in epilepsy, or muscle relaxants, with valerian as both the drugs & the herb have similar medicinal effects, albeit different modes of action & actually work on different sites in the body, according to research in BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine.  Never discontinue any medication without consulting your physician.

Valerian Root:  can be taken in an extract form (alcohol based tincture)

valerian root

which tends to effectively extract the medicinal properties of the plant. Follow package instructions for the product you choose. Alternatively, you can boil 2 quarts of water with 3 tablespoons of dried Valerian root. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low & cover the pot. Allow to simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Strain & then drink 1 to 3 cups daily, storing the remaining tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Valerian can induce sleepiness or drowsiness, but these are typically the

Sleepy?

intended effects. As a result, it’s best to avoid operating a vehicle or heavy machinery after Valerian use. In extremely rare instances, people have the opposite reaction to Valerian, finding that it actually has a stimulating effect. If you discover that you’re one of these people, discontinue use.

Good information here. I believe I tried Valerian many years ago to help me sleep, but it didn’t work.  I’ve never tried it for stress & will do so now.