Valerian Root
1:2 Ethanol/distilled H2O Spagyric tincture of fresh valerian officinalis root with the salt principle added.
Planetary ruler: Mercury
Physical Properties*:
A fortifying, warming, pungent herb that is excellent for those struggling with thin, frayed nervous systems that may be causing poor sleep, insomnia, pain and irritability. It contains valeric acid which has been shown to have neuroprotective effects, and also valerenic acid which modulates GABA receptors and thus can reduce anxiety and insomnia. It contains iridoids which are neuroprotective, liver protecting, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and hypoglycemic. Valerian root has also been found to reduce brain activity in the motor cortex in response to stimulation, as well as change how brain waves in different parts of the brain work together in response to stress and anxiety. Valerian has also been shown to affect serotonin receptors which further adds to valerians sleep promoting and anxiety reducing properties. Other uses of valerian include: regulating OCD, stomach cramps, depression, headaches, migraines, PMS and menopause – note that women who experience many heat symptoms of PMS should avoid valerian as it may exacerbate these symptoms.
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Emotional/Spiritual Properties*:
Valerian is a pillar of reassurance…and as with all bold and beautiful emotional qualities that plants imbibe within us, Valerian will ask us to look at all the reasons why we do not feel reassured. Why we feel flighty, anxious, frayed, etc….and it will also ask us to look at the ways in which we feel strong, grounded, calm, at ease etc. By looking at the two side of that coin, we can work to increase the qualities we desire, and Valerian will help us undertake that work. It is an excellent herb for removing the spasm of self-judgement; self-examination is a useful process but when it is undertaken in a harsh way -due to an unhealthy ego- it can create self-judgements that may take root and thence limit our vitality and desire for life! Valerian will help to ease the clutch of these self-judgements and steady the imbalances of ego that created them. One can feel a very tangible grounding sensation with this herb, as well as a feeling of the nervous system being fortified, it is thus an apt herb for those who seek greater resilience day to day. If you are prone to feeling like thing are not quite right, being a little scattered, or just feel worn down by all the physical and emotional tension of life, valerian can help to create a state of replenishment in the body – which may require more rest than usual. It is a particularly good winter herb as it is warming… it almost entices us into a form of hibernation, with that said it does increase the vital force in the mind, sending fresh blood there, so it can also help to clarify certain kinds of mental haziness.
Contraindications:
-Sleep and anxiety medications: The sedative effects of valerian may work synergistically with sleep and anxiety medications to create a significant level of drowsiness, which may be undesired and/or dangerous during waking hours, it may also give a hangover like feeling the next day.-SSRI’s: Valerian is an MAO-A inhibitor and thus it may be dangerous to take along with SSRI medications.
