Valerian

Properties: Eases insomnia, calms nerves and relieves menstrual cramps and muscle spasms.

Valerian smells funky -- sort of like a forgotten washrag left in a basement corner. And it tastes funny -- as you might imagine sucking on that washrag would taste. Taste notwithstanding, herbalists for hundreds of years have relied on the woody roots of valerian to calm the anxious and relax the sleepless.

Numerous studies have shown that valerian helps people with insomnia get to sleep faster and sleep better -- without the groggy "morning-after" effects of standard prescription sedatives. No one is quite certain how valerian performs this magic.

Chemicals in valerian called valepotriates act as muscle relaxants, making the herb potentially useful against menstrual cramps and other types of spasms. But, even valerian preparations without valepotriates help slumber time come faster -- raising the possibility that some still-unidentified chemical, or a synergistic reaction among various compounds in the root, may confer its calming action.

In Europe, where herbal preparations are part of mainstream medicine, there are dozens of valerian preparations available to treat nervousness and insomnia. In this country, the root is available in the form of teas, tinctures, capsules and extracts.

Since the herb has a good record of safety, with few reported side effects, many herbalists -- and a few doctors -- suggest trying it if you toss and turn at night.

When using a tincture or extract, one teaspoon daily is the usual recommended dose. If taken as a tea, one cup should be sufficient.

As with any herbal remedy, be cautious about using large amounts over a long period, especially if you are using concentrated extracts; valerian in high doses has been reported to cause headaches and grogginess.

Important note: Do not be confused by the similarity of the herb's name to Valium. Valium is one of those "big gun" prescription sedatives. This powerful drug has no relation to valerian and has no place in HamaraShehar's pages.