Posts: 2262
From: Calm Blue Ocean, Calm Blue Ocean
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 18, 2007 04:03 PM         

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My sleep schedule is all messed up from night classes and working night shifts...has anyone had any success with valerian, or had any bad effects from it?

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Posts: 4113
From: New Brighton, MN, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted March 18, 2007 04:39 PM         

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Yes!! Valerian works well I use a combo of valerian/hops. You can buy lots of "Sleepytime" teas with these ingredients -- I find the only problem with those is if I have a cup an hour before bed, I eventually have to get up to pee

My favorite soporific tea without valerian (you can buy the capsules of the dried root) is called "Sandman" from www.stashtea.com

I had the efficacy of valerian root proved to me several decades ago. I'd bought a box of the dried root for tea, brought my grocery bags into the kitchen and went to park the car. When I came back into the kitchen my two cats had chewed thru the paper grocery bag, ripped open the plastic bag the valerian was in, and chewed thru the box containing the valerian -- they were happily gnawing on it when I entered Half an hour later they were both laid out on their backs in the living room, sound asleep!!

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Posts: 2262
From: Calm Blue Ocean, Calm Blue Ocean
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 18, 2007 04:52 PM         

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LOL, sleepy kitties!

HOw often do you use valerian? Do you think pill form would be too potent?

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Posts: 4113
From: New Brighton, MN, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted March 18, 2007 05:16 PM         

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BR ~

Put up a post in FFA to Happy Dragon -- I don't think he comes to this forum much, you might catch his attention over there..... I think he tried some of the valerian root caps a little while ago

I haven't taken the caps for years, I usually drink the tea. I also have another preparation that I take in caps -- it's from Melaleuca and you have to be a member to buy their stuff. It's called RestEZ and (looking at the label) it contains:
Valerian Officianalis (roots)
Humulus Lupulus (hops - flower)
Mentha Spicata (spearmint)
Passiflora Incarnata (passion flower aerial parts)
Since it takes a while to kick in, I usually drink it with chamomile tea, which relaxes me.....

I'm interested to see what some of the *real* herbal health experts here recommend (since I'm only in kindergarten ).....

**edit** PS: When I was having trouble sleeping after surgery in 2005, and wanted to get off the Ambien, I tried a lot of things. Another thing that was recommended was melatonin -- but I never tried it.....

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Posts: 2262
From: Calm Blue Ocean, Calm Blue Ocean
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 18, 2007 09:50 PM         

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Someone reccomended melatonin to me as well. Yeah I'd like to hear a more expert opinion. I read some studies and it does look like Valerian actually works...I"m alwasy reluctant to put new substances in my body though...but god I just cannot get to sleep before 5 am and its horrible.

THanks so much for the input, maybe i'll look for some tea at the drug store.

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Posts: 90
From: California, United States of America
Registered: Oct 2006

posted March 19, 2007 12:52 AM         

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melatonin is definately the way to go
it's all natural, easily available, has no side effects, and is very affordable, COMPLETELY SAFE... my middle son has been on this since he was just 2 years old. [he has a sleep disorder that causes him to be unable to sleep without it. Thus in turn causes him to be hyper-active due to lack of healthy sleep patterns.]
Melatonin is naturally created in your body from natural sunlight, some peoples bodies are not creating enough naturally due to genetics and or unavailable sun time, etc.
So they suppliment this need with 1-3 mg of melatonin per day. A bottle of 50 costs about $7 and lasts 50 days! It is found in any pharmacy, walmart, and at most grocery stores in the vitamin area.
The doses are by weight and or needs:
0-70 lbs = 1mg per day
70-150 lbs = 2mg per day
150lbs and up = 3mg per day
NOTE: my son is only 45 lbs but is taking 3mgs per day as he has a serious medical condition requiring this intervention.
[keeps him off ritalin] He take's this about 20 minutes before bedtime and now sleeps peacefully through the night, the whole night. He wakes feeling refreshed, happy and energetic as ever.
I have over the last three years suggested this safe alternative to more than a dozen parents of hyperactive children and each in turn have had amazing results as well as peace of mind to have there children off drugs and behaving normally.
Further proof that eating and sleeping correctly has huge medical benefits!

I do hope that you have some awesome results as well, with whatever path you do end up chosing...

------------------
Sendin' love your way,
your friend in spirit

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Posts: 2262
From: Calm Blue Ocean, Calm Blue Ocean
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 19, 2007 02:37 PM         

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Thanks YFIS.....I actually bought melatonin yesterday, decided to go with that and not valerian, since melatonin is naturally secreted by the body anyway, I figured it was more natural.

I didn't take a full 3mg, and although I did manage to fall asleep 3 hours earlier than normal, I woke up early in the morning and couldn't fall back asleep so I took the rest of the 3 mg. I weigh 185 pounds so I don't think what I took was quite enough. Next time I'll take the whole 3 mg.

Glad it's working so well for your son!

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Posts: 90
From: California, United States of America
Registered: Oct 2006

posted March 20, 2007 12:28 AM         

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May you have sweet dreams

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Posts: 3
From: michigan U.S.
Registered: Mar 2007

posted March 20, 2007 10:01 AM         

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Hello, to all knowflakes!Yes blueroamer in your case melatonin is best, it regulates the wake sleep cycles, along with seratonin.Valarian is more for anxiety induced sleeplessness, both very effective.I have used both and have had a occasional nightmare with melatonin, if I took too much.It was hard for me to dose since I'm am sensitive to stuff, so I started to drink montmorency cherry juice concentrate, a natural source of melatonin.Easier to dose for me, I take a quarter of a teaspoon.You can add it to water,I take it straight.It also helps with jet lag.The longer you take melatonin the more effective it is.It also helps to have a consistent bed time.Hope this helps... Peace to all

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