WileyCoyote
06-28-2007, 02:27 AM
Chronic anxiety, nervous exhaustion, insomnia, PMS, and sleeplessness are all treated with Valerian. It also helps with Irritable Bowel syndrome, asthma, and colic. It will help reduce high blood pressure due to anxiety.
Unearth the root and rhizome of valerian in autumn. Chop finely and dry. Then:
a) For capsules: Crush to a powder. Put 500 mg of the powder per each gelatin capsule. Take one or two a night for insomnia.
b) for a decoction: (Standard quantity - 20 grams dried or 40 grams fresh herb per 750 ml cold water, reduced to about 500 ml after simmer. This will make about 3-4 doses, which is good - you NEVER want to store vast quantities as herbs lose their strength.) Place the roots in a saucepan. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by 1/3. Strain the liquid through a sieve or cheesecloth (old white cotton t-shirts work instead of cheesecloth :o ) into a jug or pitcher. Cover tightly and store in a cool dark place. Take 25-100 ml as a sedative at night.
c) for a tincture: (tinctures are STRONG decoctions, use caution always) only use good vodka or white rum for tinctures. Never use during pregnancy or gastric inflammation. Standard quantities are: 200 g dried or 400 g fresh, chopped root to 1 liter of alcohol; vodka of 35-40% alcohol is ideal, but rum hides the bitter taste of some herbs. First place the herb in a large glass jar. Pour in the alcohol and ensure all herb is covered. Cover, shake well for 1-2 minutes. Store in cool dark place for 10-14 days, shaking the jar every 1-2 days. Set up a wine press with a cheesecloth, muslin or nylon mesh bag, or (again! LOL) old t-shirt over and inside the opening. Pour in the mixture and collect the liquid in the jug of the press. Slowly close the wine press, extracting all liquid from the herb until no more drips appear. Throw out leftover herb. Pour liquid into sterilized dark-colored bottles using a funnel. When finished, seal with a cork or screw top, label with herb name and date processed, and keep in a dark place. Can be stored up to two years. For anxiety, take 20 drops in hot water or juice up to 5 times a day.
Everyone can make tea, of course; I won't insult your intelligence there. But if you want stronger or more lasting herb decoctions, or want to store them under specific conditions, these might be helpful. All but the included dosages specific to valerian are standard ways to process herb treatments.
Unearth the root and rhizome of valerian in autumn. Chop finely and dry. Then:
a) For capsules: Crush to a powder. Put 500 mg of the powder per each gelatin capsule. Take one or two a night for insomnia.
b) for a decoction: (Standard quantity - 20 grams dried or 40 grams fresh herb per 750 ml cold water, reduced to about 500 ml after simmer. This will make about 3-4 doses, which is good - you NEVER want to store vast quantities as herbs lose their strength.) Place the roots in a saucepan. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by 1/3. Strain the liquid through a sieve or cheesecloth (old white cotton t-shirts work instead of cheesecloth :o ) into a jug or pitcher. Cover tightly and store in a cool dark place. Take 25-100 ml as a sedative at night.
c) for a tincture: (tinctures are STRONG decoctions, use caution always) only use good vodka or white rum for tinctures. Never use during pregnancy or gastric inflammation. Standard quantities are: 200 g dried or 400 g fresh, chopped root to 1 liter of alcohol; vodka of 35-40% alcohol is ideal, but rum hides the bitter taste of some herbs. First place the herb in a large glass jar. Pour in the alcohol and ensure all herb is covered. Cover, shake well for 1-2 minutes. Store in cool dark place for 10-14 days, shaking the jar every 1-2 days. Set up a wine press with a cheesecloth, muslin or nylon mesh bag, or (again! LOL) old t-shirt over and inside the opening. Pour in the mixture and collect the liquid in the jug of the press. Slowly close the wine press, extracting all liquid from the herb until no more drips appear. Throw out leftover herb. Pour liquid into sterilized dark-colored bottles using a funnel. When finished, seal with a cork or screw top, label with herb name and date processed, and keep in a dark place. Can be stored up to two years. For anxiety, take 20 drops in hot water or juice up to 5 times a day.
Everyone can make tea, of course; I won't insult your intelligence there. But if you want stronger or more lasting herb decoctions, or want to store them under specific conditions, these might be helpful. All but the included dosages specific to valerian are standard ways to process herb treatments.