$22.00
Overview
100 g (3.53 oz)
feverfew*, peppermint leaf*, skullcap leaf*, and valerian root* (*organic)
Gluten-Free
Ingredients do not contain gluten.
Eco-Friendly
Everything is handmade. We use minimal product packaging and large quantities for less waste.
A blend of feverfew, peppermint, skullcap, and valerian creates an herbal remedy for treating many types of headaches, allaying its many causes, and treating migraine headaches long-term. Herbal treatment for headaches and migraines must take into account the wide range of causes and issues. The evolution of a headache begins when the cause triggers nerve fibers around blood vessels to release chemicals causing pain and inflammation resulting in enlarged blood vessels. Because of the increased nerve chemicals, not only is the nervous system engaged, the digestive system can be affected causing nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, and the circulatory system can be affected because of inflammation and throbbing occurring. Headache herbal blend addresses the cause of the pain with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory herbs, herbs that alleviate muscle contractions and tension headaches, herbs that soothes digestion, and herbs that encourage increased blood flow, which is important for fresh blood to circulate throughout the body for proper function and healing, which is helpful for throbbing headaches and sinus headaches. This herb blend is a mild sedative, muscle relaxant, and good nervine that effectively soothes muscle and nervous tension while rejuvenating the central nervous system, which can be helpful to balance mood, relieve tension, and ease headaches caused by stress. It can prevent and allay chronic and migraine headaches and be used in long-term therapeutic herbal treatment for chronic headaches, reducing frequency, severity, and the duration of the headache. In the same way Headache herbal blend can help with tension, inflammation, and pain in the body, including neck-ache, back-ache, and rheumatism. It can be used in long-term therapeutic herbal treatment of rheumatism, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, and general musculoskeletal inflammation and pain.
Suggested Use
To prepare herbal tea, bring water to a gentle boil – light simmer of small bubbles. Remove the water from the heat. After the simmering settles, the water should be a good temperature to add herbs and begin brewing (205°F / 96°C), but not too hot like a rapid boil (212°F / 100°C). Brew for 10 minutes in a covered teapot, loose-lidded cup, or teacup with a saucer covering tea for maximum herbal potency and retention. Best served fresh. Can store in fridge for 2 to 3 days for highest potency. Teas have a stable shelf life and are packaged in a resealable air-tight bag. They should be stored in a cool dry dark location.
Take at first sign of tension and pain of neck-ache, back-ache, headache, and migraine. Brew 2 teaspoons (1 gram) herbal tea in 6 to 8 ounces (175-235 mL) water. Take 1-4 g per day, as needed. For chronic headache, migraine, and arthritis, take 1-2 g per day, as needed. For children under 12 years but older than 2 years, brew 1 teaspoon (1⁄2 g) herbal tea in 6 ounces (175 mL) water, and take 1⁄2-2 g per day, as needed.
Supplement Facts
Dosage: 1 g / 2 tsp (100 doses per bag)
Daily Limit: 2-4 g
| Amount per dosage | |
|---|---|
| Feverfew | 350 mg |
| Peppermint leaf | 260 mg |
| Skullcap leaf | 240 mg |
| Valerian root | 150 mg |
The recommended dose varies based on condition, sensitivity, body chemistry, and body weight. Each person will need to experiment to discover what dose works best with a specific tea. The absorption of all herbal compounds of tea varies greatly, as tea is heavily narrowed towards water-soluble constituents. Teas are used as needed. This recognizes that each person finds their constitution and condition in varying degrees, and possibly varying times of day. If you have never used the tea before, it is best to initially take only about 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended dosage, slowly increasing the dosage as needed with each use determining what dosage is best and when.
Safety Considerations
- ♡ This is NOT recommended for anyone who is pregnant because feverfew has a stimulant action on the uterus. For headaches during pregnancy, apply Headache Salve and drink Mama Bear Tea.
- ♡ Feverfew is NOT recommended for anyone under 2 years of age. For those taking blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, consult with your doctor before taking this herb.
- ♡ Feverfew may cause allergic reactions to those sensitive to plants in the family. If you have never used the tea before, it is recommended to only take a small amount to ensure no allergic reaction occurs. Each product description includes a complete list of ingredients. People with sensitivities to any listed ingredient should not use the product.
- ♡ Herbs are powerful. If you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications, it is recommended to consult with a health care practitioner before using herbs internally.
- ♡ Careful consideration should be given when administering herbs to children under 12 years of age. Chamomile, as well as Peppermint, is useful for children.
- ♡ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Feverfew
Tanacetum parthenium
Asteraceae
leaf
Botany. Feverfew is a perennial plant native in the Balkans and grows from Quebec to Ohio and south to Maryland and Missouri, and also in California. The round branching stem has alternate, bipinnate leaves with ovate, hoary-green leaflets. The flowers have yellow disks with 10 to 20 white toothed ray florets appearing in corymbose heads in June and July..
History. Feverfew comes from the Latin febrifuga, meaning febrifuge, as it was at one time an important fever remedy. It was widely used in Greece for its medicinal values. The first-century Greek physician Dioscorides prescribed feverfew for "all hot inflammations."
Constituents. The herb contains: sesquiterpene lactones (parthenolide, articanin, santamarin); onoterpenes and sesquiterpenes (thujone, sabinene, camphor, 1,8 cineole, umbellulone); and flavonoids (apigenin, diosmetin, quercetin, jaceidin, jaceosidin). More than 30 sesquiterpene lactones have been identified in feverfew, including parthenolide.
Qualities. The herb is bitter, pungent, and warm, and useful for headaches or constricted muscles and joints that feel relief with warmth.
Actions. Feverfew contains many herbal constituents that contribute to the , , , , , and effects.
Our feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium, is organic, non-GMO, and Kosher. Feverfew has gained deserved reputation for treating and preventing migraine headaches and is the only known herb to be used for the treatment and prevention of migraine headaches. The actions of feverfew do not appear to be limited to a single mechanism but affecting a wide variety of physiological pathways, including inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, decrease of vascular smooth muscle spasm, and blockage of platelet granule secretion. Feverfew is helpful to alleviate dizziness and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
The plant works in part by inhibiting the secretion of granular contents from blood platelets and neutrophils, which brings value to not only migraines but osteoarthritis as well. The herb inhibits platelets, reducing platelet aggregation, which is an inflammatory response when blood cells tend to stick together or clot. This allows proper blood flow and circulation during inflammation. The main compounds having this activity were parthenolide, 3-beta-hydroxy-parthenolide, secotanapartholide A, canin, and artecanin, all being sesquiterpene lactones. Parthenolide, specifically, is found in glands on the leaf surface of feverfew. Researchers believe these active compounds inhibit the release of prostaglandins and histamine during the inflammatory process, which prevents the blood vessel spams in the head that trigger a migraine. The vasodilator effect relaxes and widens the smooth muscle cells within the blood vessel walls resulting in increased blood flow and nourishment throughout the body and decreased blood pressure.
Used as a long-term treatment for chronic migraine headaches, feverfew can reduce the frequency, severity, and duration. A daily dosage of approximately 100-125 mg of feverfew, about 1 to 2 mL of Tincture or 1 to 2 cups of Tea, is considered appropriate for the treatment and prevention of migraines. Clinical experience suggests that 4 to 6 weeks of treatment is typically required before a response is seen. Often, long-term users report beneficial side effects, such as relief from depression, nausea, and arthritic pain due to inflammation.
Feverfew is valuable for arthritis, particularly in the painful inflammatory stage. Used as a long-term treatment for rheumatism, feverfew can help the quality of life for those with rheumatic problems helping with inflammation and reducing muscle tension and ease spasms and cramps with the antispasmodic effect. A daily dosage of approximately 100-150 mg of feverfew, about 1 to 2 mL of Tincture or 1 to 2 cups of Tea, is considered appropriate for treatment and prevention of inflammation and pain due to rheumatism.
Safety Considerations. Feverfew is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant or under 2 years of age. For those taking blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, consult with your doctor before taking this herb. Feverfew may cause allergic reactions to those sensitive to plants in the family.
Peppermint
Mentha x piperita
Lamiaceae
leaf
Botany. Peppermint is a hybrid plant, a cross between watermint and spearmint. This is indicated by the "x" followed by the genus in the botanical name, in which the plant is a cross between 2 different plant species. Peppermint has an erect, square branching reddish-purple stem with opposite, dark-green, ovate to lanceolate, serrate leaves that are 2 inches or more in length, only slightly hairy underneath with slightly purplish veins and midrib. Axillary and terminal spikes of small, purple flowers bloom July through September.
History. Pliny the Elder mentions that the Greeks and Romans flavored their sauces and wines with Peppermint and crowned themselves with it at their feasts. Peppermint was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians and it is mentioned in Icelandic Pharmacopoeias of the thirteenth century. It came to be used medicinally in Western Europe in the eighteenth century. It was used by the American herbalist, Samuel Thomson, for sickness and promoting perspiration in the nineteenth century.
Constituents. Peppermint contains phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, and rosmaric acid); volatile oils, (namely menthol, menthone, and menthyl acetate), flavonoids (glycosides of apigenin, diosmetin, and luteolin), and tannins, all which contribute to its numerous and varied use. The entire plant is aromatic, due to the volatile oil present in all parts of the plant and leaves a cooling sensation in the mouth, or topically, caused by the compound, menthol.
Qualities. It has a highly penetrating camphorescent aroma leaving a cooling sensation topically and in the mouth. Though cooling, it is stimulating and soothing in congested and obstructed states.
Actions. Peppermint is , , pain-relieving (), , , , , , , , antacid, and .
Our peppermint, Mentha x piperita, is organic, non-GMO, and Kosher. The herb provides many properties, enlivening whole body activity, including digestive, circulatory, immune, and respiratory responses. It is highly aromatic, full of volatile oils, leaving a cooling sensation alleviating aches and pain, a soothing action on the digestive system, and a stimulating action by encouraging increased blood flow and circulation. Peppermint can ease muscle spasms and cramps, soothe sore muscles and joints, and alleviate inflammation with injury, digestive distress, sickness, headache, and rheumatism.
With , pain-relieving (), and actions, peppermint helps soothe itchy skin, bug bites, allay inflammation, and relieve topical pain from burns by cooling the affected skin alleviating the burning sensation. For burned or itchy skin, an herb bath with Peppermint Tea or Salve can be used to relieve pain and itching. Its Salve or Tincture can be massaged on sore muscles and joints as a stimulating herbal liniment. The local pain-relieving action of Peppermint is exceptionally strong. Topically with Salve and internally with Tea and Tincture, peppermint also gives an and cooling effect that can ease muscle aches and spasms, relieve throbbing headaches, soothe menstrual cramps, relax sore muscles and joints, alleviate pain from rheumatism, and provide relief from symptoms associated with the common cold and flu. Its Tea can be used as a gargle and mouth rinse for the relief of toothaches and sore throats, treatment of canker sores, and give a minty sweetness to the breath.
In cold, flu, fever, and early indications of sickness, Tea or Tincture of peppermint is helpful. As an , peppermint has the ability to inhibit and kill many different microorganisms (pathogens) that might cause infections, dysfunction in different parts and systems, and affect homeostasis in the body. A few of these bacteria and viruses include: Influenza A viruses; Herpes simplex, the cause of cold sores; mumps virus; Streptococcus pyogenes, causes sore throat, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, otitis media, cystitis, cellulitis, etc.; Staphlococcus aureus, causes pneumonia, sinusitis, impetigo, and endocarditis, etc.; Psuedomonas acruginose, causes suppurative (pus-causing) sicknesses and infections, and other types of infections; and Candida albicans, opportunistic yeast that can become pathogenic causing candidiasis, also called thrush or candida, and vaginal yeast infection, also called vaginal thrush or vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Altogether, more than 30 pathogens have succumb to the influence of peppermint. To further help the body in times of a pathogenic invasion and maintaining homeostasis, peppermint is good to assist in blood flow and circulation, raising internal heat, inducing perspiration, and allaying fever. When body temperature is too high, peppermint helps aid different processes of increased blood flow (vasodilation) and sweat production, which both transfer energy from skin to the environment resulting in a cooling effect. This increase of fresh nutrient-rich blood through the body is helpful in times of fever, headaches, sickness, and muscle or joint inflammation. These actions of the herb are also helpful for palpitations of the heart and feelings of a fluttery or pounding heart, which could be caused by stress, anxiety, excessive exercise, or medications. Peppermint can help painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), relieving pain and associated tension. The leaf can relax nerves and ease anxiety, bodily tension, and headaches that may associated with muscular tension and indigestion or digestive distress. It suppresses sinus headaches, soothes airways, provides an uplifting effect, clears nasal and chest congestion by providing expectorantExpectorant herbs facilitate or accelerate the removal of excess mucus from the respiratory system by stimulating expulsion, loosening mucus secretions, liquefying mucus to be cleared by coughing or from the nose, or soothing bronchial spasm; often containing alkaloids, saponins, and volatile oils. effects to relieve the respiratory system of excess mucus, and gives symptomatic relief of asthma and chronic bronchitis. It is especially effective for this in combination with its Salve.
Peppermint is an amazing aid to the digestive system. From its stimulating , , and properties of the volatile oils, it can help the digestive system work properly with ease and allay digestive distress. The volatile oils of peppermint can enhance digestive activity by stimulating contractile activity in the gallbladder and encouraging the secretion of bile. The oils also normalize gastrointestinal activity, removing gas, and reducing cramps. It soothes the gut walls with its volatile oils, reduces inflammation in the digestive tract, and helps remove gas. Peppermint can help with upset stomach, abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia and indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), gas and flatulence, griping pains (sharp sudden pains in the abdomen), bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, colic, morning sickness, motion sickness, sea sickness, and other associated digestive conditions. On account of its anesthetic effect on the nerve-endings of the stomach, it is helpful to prevent morning, motion, or sea sickness. The herb can be taken therapeutically and in combination with treatment to manage long-term chronic digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and their associated symptoms.
Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora
Lamiaceae
leaf
Botany. Skullcap is a North American perennial plant. It has a fibrous yellow rootstock producing a branching stem 1 to 3 feet high with opposite, ovate, serrate leaves, and the axillary two-lipped flower is pale purple or blue that blooms from July to September.
History. Skullcap has been used for convulsions, hysteria, and irritability of the nervous system. It was used as a female remedy for treatment of dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and other female disorders.
Constituents. The compounds consist of volatile oils (namely scutellarin), flavonoids (baicalein, baicalin, scutellarin, chrysin, and wogonin), iridoids (including catalpol), and tannins.
Qualities. Skullcap is a bitter herb with sedative properties, good for over-thinkers and tension of any kind, mind or body.
Actions. The herb a with , , , , and muscle relaxant properties.
Our skullcap, Scutellaria lateriflora, are organic, non-GMO, and Kosher. Skullcap is a mild sedative, relaxant, and powerful nervine that effectively soothes nervous tension while rejuvenating the central nervous system. The nervine qualities act in multiple ways throughout the body. Skullcap can ease the body and mind and useful for symptoms of muscle cramps and spams, muscular tension, headache, stress, irritability, nervous tension, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstruation, menopause, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
– Grover Coe, M.D., Concentrated Organic Medicines (1862), page 345
Skullcap is a powerful sedative that can calm that body. Skullcap's calming nervine properties are partly due to the volatile oil, scutellarin, and the flavonoid, chrysin. These properties result from the herb’s effect on nerve function and balance in the brain. Clinical trial has also demonstrated that the herb is anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) due to the flavonoid interactions with the neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). A neurotransmitter is a messenger that sends information between nerve cells (neurons) and other cells in the body through a synapse. These messengers can act in predictable ways but also be affected by medications, disease, and other messengers. Neurotransmitters communicate in 3 ways: excitatory, inhibitory, or modulatory. Excitatory neurotransmitters have excitatory effects on the neuron and the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential is increased. Generally, when you are aroused, ready for action, your body produces excitatory chemicals, such as epinephrine (adrenaline), glutamate, histamine, and dopamine, to stimulate muscles, increase heart rate, and allow your body to take action. Inhibitory neurotransmitters have inhibitory effects on the neuron and the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action is decreased. During rest and relaxation, your body produces inhibitory chemicals, such as GABA and serotonin, to allow your body to rest, digest food, sleep, recover from stress and injury, and heal. Modulatory neurotransmitters can affect a number of neurons at the same time and influence the effects of other chemical messengers. The system works in opposition at times and complements each other in other times. If you stay in a prolonged state of arousal, the constant presence of excitatory chemicals (including adrenaline) can do damage in the body, such as hypertension, ulcers, headaches, and insomnia. It is crucial for normal brain function for the balance between excitatory and inhibitory nerves. Events and triggers of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other disorders in the central nervous system can affect the balance between chemical excitation and inhibition. In many nervous disorders, the active excitability of the local nerve circuits is altered, meaning there may be an unbalance of synaptic excitation, inhibition, or both. The unbalance of excitation or inhibition result in altered excitability and impaired nerve processing of incoming information. The balance means that the excitation and inhibition nerve cells are at the right concentrations, in the right places, and at the right time. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid that serves as a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord. Being an inhibitory neurotransmitter, the GABA receptor calms nerves and is the body’s natural relaxation receptors that are produced by the brain to promote sleep, pain-relief, and relaxation. The body forms GABA from glutamate, although their roles are opposite in the nervous system, as glutamate is considered an excitatory neurotransmitter and GABA an inhibitory neurotransmitter. The imbalance of these neurotransmitters play a role in various pathways of disease. Various neurological and psychiatric diseases and conditions have been associated with low levels of GABA, including generalized anxiety, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, major depressive disorder, seizures, and epilepsy. GABA binds to two major receptors, the GABAA and GABAB receptors. The receptors are also referred to as benzodiazepine receptors. Nervine herbs (and drugs) that act on nerve receptors can be agonists, modulators, or antagonists. Agonist herb compounds occupy receptors and activate them. Antagonist herb compounds occupy receptors but do not activate them and block receptor activation by other agonists. Modulator herb compounds balances and adjusts, modifying the message as needed. Many sedative herbs, as well as anxiety medications, antidepressants, or benzodiazepines, work similarly by interacting with the GABA receptor. It is important that although GABA concentrations may be altered in these types of conditions and states of mind, treatment using GABAA receptor agonists are not the only treatment and therapy, however, it may benefit in times of need, like during times of anxiety, before sleep, and before anticipated stress, such as a speech or presentation. Skullcap enhances the effect of GABA at the GABAA receptor, resulting in sedative, anti-anxiety, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant properties. Research has shown that the flavonoid, baicalin, can produce neuroprotective effects and can protect nerve cells from damage in conditions of stress. The flavonoid, chrysin, gives anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) actions being an agonist of the benzodiazepine GABA receptors. Many anxiety and depression medications work similarly to Skullcap by interacting with the GABA (benzodiazepine) receptor, often referred to as "benzodiazepines." Herbal therapy for anxiety and depression involves a balance in all aspects of whole health, and skullcap can be incorporated in the treatment for anxiety and depression.
Skullcap can boost mood. It can stimulate the release of endorphins, relieve tension, and generally balances mood. Skullcap has been associated with increased activity in the liver significantly boosting the efficiency of the liver reducing toxin levels in the body and blood, thereby improving overall health and wellness. Skullcap can help mental alertness by removing the nervous tension that often interferes with learning, recall, logical thinking, and memory formation. Through strong hypotensive action, skullcap stabilizes and normalizes blood pressure, which can help muscular and nervous tension. It relaxes muscles, cramps, twitching, and spasms. Skullcap has anti-inflammatory effects. The flavonoids have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body by binding and interrupting chemokines, which are critical proteins secreted by cells during inflammation and infection. During headache and migraine, it can help calm the body, relieve muscular tension, ease throbbing, and painful aura. Skullcap is helpful for irritability, stress, anxiety, depression, hysteria, nervous excitability, agitation, restlessness, neuralgia, and other nervous ailments. It can ease premenstrual tension and relax muscles during menstruation. Skullcap is a good remedy for inducing sleep and helping insomnia and sleep disorders, while helping some of its underlying causes. The ability to ease physical symptoms as well as underlying psychological tension is one of the greatest benefits of herbs in stress, anxiety, headaches, pain, and depression.
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Caprifoliaceae
root
Botany. Valerian is native to Europe and is in the Caprifoliaceae plant family, also known as the honeysuckle family. The roots are short and conical with one stem arising from the root reaching 3 to 4 feet, terminating in 2 or more pairs of flowering stems.
History. Valerian has a far past with its therapeutic uses being described by the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates of Kos (b. 460 BC). It has been extolled by other Greek physicians, Pedanius Dioscorides of Anazarbus (AD 40-90) and Galen (AD 129-216), as an aromatic and diuretic. Valerian root's traditional herb use was to calm upset nerves, treat psychological disorders, relieve insomnia, manage pain, and ease headache.
Constituents. Valerian contains more than 150 phytochemicals with different physiological activity. In 1966, many of its active compounds were finally identified and studied to scientifically confirm its traditional use: volatile oil (mainly composed of sesquiterpenes such as bornyl acetate, β-caryophyllene, valerone, and valerenic acid), bicyclic iridoids known as valepotriates (including valtrate, isovaltrate, acetoxy-valerenic acid, isvaleroxy-hydoxydidrovaltrate), and baldrinals.
Qualities. Valerian is strong, bitter, and earthy, useful in constricted and tense states.
Actions. The root is a beautiful herb with , , , , neurotrophic (increases BDNF expression), anti-aggressive, antianxiety (), and actions.
Our valerian root, Valeriana officinalis, is organic, non-GMO, and Kosher. It is helpful for overexcitement, nervousness, and sleeplessness and to relax the body and mind.
Valerian is a powerful nervine herb with action. Several of valerian's compounds contribute to the nervine and effect, and there is no main active compound, meaning the compounds of the whole herb work together synergistically to create the whole effect. The volatile oil, valerenic acid and its derivatives, have sedative properties. The valepotriate compounds in valerian have sedative, muscle relaxant, anticonvulsive, hypotensive, tranquilizing, neurotrophic, and anti-aggressive properties. These properties result from the herb’s effect on nerve function and balance in the brain. This herb is shown to increase the amount of the neurotransmitter, called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), in the nervous system. A neurotransmitter is a messenger that sends information between nerve cells (neurons) and other cells in the body through a synapse. These messengers can act in predictable ways but also be affected by medications, disease, and other messengers. Neurotransmitters communicate in 3 ways: excitatory, inhibitory, or modulatory. Excitatory neurotransmitters have excitatory effects on the neuron and the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential is increased. Generally, when you are aroused, ready for action, your body produces excitatory chemicals, such as epinephrine (adrenaline), glutamate, histamine, and dopamine, to stimulate muscles, increase heart rate, and allow your body to take action. Inhibitory neurotransmitters have inhibitory effects on the neuron and the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action is decreased. During rest and relaxation, your body produces inhibitory chemicals, such as GABA and serotonin, to allow your body to rest, digest food, sleep, recover from stress and injury, and heal. Modulatory neurotransmitters can affect a number of neurons at the same time and influence the effects of other chemical messengers. The system works in opposition at times and complements each other in other times. If you stay in a prolonged state of arousal, the constant presence of excitatory chemicals (including adrenaline) can do damage in the body, such as hypertension, ulcers, headaches, and insomnia. It is crucial for normal brain function for the balance between excitatory and inhibitory nerves. Events and triggers of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other disorders in the central nervous system can affect the balance between chemical excitation and inhibition. In many nervous disorders, the active excitability of the local nerve circuits is altered, meaning there may be an unbalance of synaptic excitation, inhibition, or both. The unbalance of excitation or inhibition result in altered excitability and impaired nerve processing of incoming information. The balance means that the excitation and inhibition nerve cells are at the right concentrations, in the right places, and at the right time. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid that serves as a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord. Being an inhibitory neurotransmitter, the GABA receptor calms nerves and is the body’s natural relaxation receptors that are produced by the brain to promote sleep, pain-relief, and relaxation. The body forms GABA from glutamate, although their roles are opposite in the nervous system, as glutamate is considered an excitatory neurotransmitter and GABA an inhibitory neurotransmitter. The imbalance of these neurotransmitters play a role in various pathways of disease. Various neurological and psychiatric diseases and conditions have been associated with low levels of GABA, including generalized anxiety, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, major depressive disorder, seizures, and epilepsy. GABA binds to two major receptors, the GABAA and GABAB receptors. The receptors are also referred to as benzodiazepine receptors. Nervine herbs (and drugs) that act on nerve receptors can be agonists, modulators, or antagonists. Agonist herb compounds occupy receptors and activate them. Antagonist herb compounds occupy receptors but do not activate them and block receptor activation by other agonists. Modulator herb compounds balances and adjusts, modifying the message as needed. Many sedative herbs, as well as anxiety medications, antidepressants, or benzodiazepines, work similarly by interacting with the GABA receptor. The compounds of valerian, including valerenic acid, serve as GABA agonists, and the effect of the plant on GABAA receptors is similar to the effect of benzodiazepines. The herb enhances the effect of GABA at the GABAA receptor, resulting in sedative, anti-anxiety, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant properties. The root works by causing GABA to be released from brain nerve endings, blocking GABA from being taken back to nerve cells, and inhibiting an enzyme that destroys GABA. Antidepressant and mood-stabilizing effects have also been proposed for valerian, which could be due to the herb's ability to interfere with noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurotransmitters, especially serotonin and GABA. It is important that although GABA concentrations may be altered in these types of conditions and states of mind, treatment using GABAA receptor agonists are not the only treatment and therapy, however, it may benefit in times of need, like during times of anxiety, depression, before sleep, and before anticipated stress, such as a speech or presentation.
Research shows valerian functions to suppress and regulate the , relieve tension and restlessness, help regulate , and regulate mental illness and distress. It has been shown to help with hypertension and revealed to have a tranquilizing effect. It is an effective muscle relaxant. With these actions, valerian is helpful for stress, anxiety, nervous tension, shaking and trembling, restlessness, sleeplessness, panic, insomnia, and bodily tension symptoms, including headaches, migraines, muscle cramps, and an erroneous disposition. A useful herb sleep aid, valerian promotes normal sleep and relieves exhaustion and insomnia, without suppressing necessary REM phases. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial that was conducted on 39 patients undergoing hemodialysis, valerian was shown to significantly improve sleep quality, the symptoms of state anxiety, and depression.
Valerian is shown to improve coordination, enhance concentration, and boost energy. Many of valerian’s compounds increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, which has an antidepressant effect. BDNF plays an important role in nerve survival and growth and contributes to nerve plasticity, which is the capacity of the nervous system to modify itself, functionally and structurally, in response to an incident, experience, or injury. BDNF also regulates glucose and energy metabolism and prevents exhaustion of beta-cells that produce insulin, which is a hormone that controls the level of glucose in the blood. Decreased levels of BDNF are associated depression and with neurodegenerative diseases with neuronal loss, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and Huntington's disease. There have been several studies showing the improvement of behavioral disturbances and disorders, such as hyperactivity and irritability, with an increase in BDNF expression. By keeping BDNF at a healthy balance, the nervous system can function at an optimal level transferring information between nerves and their targets, and potential physical and mental illnesses are prevented. Valerian root extract is shown to increase the expression of BDNF levels in SH-SY5Y cells, and the compound valerenic acid is crucial for the neuronal activity. Many anxiety and depression medications work similarly to Valerian by interacting with the GABA receptor and increasing BDNF expression. Exercise can also increase BDNF expression. Herbal therapy for anxiety and depression involves a balance in all aspects of whole health, and valerian can be incorporated in the treatment for anxiety and depression.
Safety Considerations. Valerian can exaggerate drugs that cause drowsiness and muscle relaxation. Valerian should not be used with ketamine, esketamine, buprenorphine, and sodium oxybate because of increased side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion, depression, low blood pressure, slow or shallow breathing, and impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.
Repurpose
ALL packaging and shipping materials can be repurposed and reused.
Recycle
ALL packaging and shipping materials can be recycled after use.
Compost
Tea bags and brewed-out herbs can be composted. Bags compost in 12 months.
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