Herbs to Calm the Mind & Soothe the Body

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Herbs to Calm the Mind & Soothe the Body

Posted On : Aug-23-2011 | seen (377) times | Article Word Count : 750 |

There are plenty of prescription sleep aids on the market, but is taking more drugs really necessary? We know of several herbal remedies that could help you get a good night’s sleep. Let’s look at a few of the here.
Chamomile
Chamomile has been used since ancient times by the Romans and Egyptians. It retains its popularity even today. Chamomile teas can be found in just about every grocery store. It is widely used for its calming effects, both on the nerves and for stomach upset.
The chamomile plant has an aromatic apple-like scent and was subsequently named “ground apple” by the Greeks for this reason. Chamomile grows just about everywhere and is valued for its fragrant scent and ability to heal sick plants that it is planted near.
Side Effects
It is recommended that chamomile not be taken every day for long periods of time, as this could result in a ragweed allergy. Those with a known ragweed allergy should steer clear of chamomile. Chamomile should not be used with other sedatives or alcohol. Chamomile may interact with blood-thinning medications such as warfarin.
How to Take Chamomile
You can buy chamomile tea at the supermarket, but why not try making the tea yourself? Steep one tablespoon (tbsp) of chamomile flowers in one cup of water for 15 minutes. Drink half a cup up to five times a day for digestive problems.
To make a calming tonic and to ease stressed nerves, combine chamomile with passionflower, skullcap, oats or hops. If you want to try chamomile in tincture form, try half a teaspoon (tsp) to one tsp three times per day.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family. It has been used since the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite and ease stomach pain. Lemon balm was often steeped in wine to lift the spirits, help heal wounds and treat insect bites and stings.
Lemon balm is grown all over the world. If you rub your fingers on the leaves of the plant, your fingers will smell tart and sweet, just like lemons.
Side Effects
No side effects or symptoms of toxicity have been reported with lemon-balm use. It is recommended that this herb not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
How to Take Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is available as a dried leaf that can be bought in health-food stores and pharmacies. It is also sold as tea and in capsules, extracts, tinctures and as an essential oil.
For difficulty sleeping, make a tea using 1.5 grams (g) to 4.5 g of dried lemon balm herb in hot water. You can drink this tea up to four times daily. If you are taking capsules, try 300 milligrams (mg) to 500 mg of dried lemon balm three times daily or as needed.
Valerian
Valerian is a herb that people have used for centuries as a treatment for anxiety and sleep disorders. It was used to treat soldiers during World War I who had been exposed to constant bombing and were suffering from “shell shock” as a consequence. It has also been used to ease menstrual and stomach cramps.
Valerian comes from the root of the plant, which grows in areas of North America, Europe and Asia. There are more than 200 known species of valerian, but the Eurasian variety V. officinalis is the one that people use most often as medicine. Valerian root has a distinctive odor that is known for smelling like sweaty socks.
Side Effects
Side effects from valerian are rare. Some have reported mild headache or stomach upset. It is a good idea not to take valerian at the same time as other calming medications or antidepressants. Also, it is a good idea not to take valerian if you will be driving or need to be alert.
How to Take Valerian
Valerian is sold as a dietary supplement and is available as an extract in powder or liquid form, as a dried herb in tea form or in pills.
As a sleep aid, valerian is most effective if you take it shortly before bedtime. For anxiety, you may take a dose three times or more during the day, including before bedtime. It is best to take valerian in a water-soluble extract form. Try taking between 300 mg and 600 mg of valerian-root supplement before going to bed.
People often use valerian in combination with other herbs such as St. John’s wort, passionflower, lemon balm, kava and hops.

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<h1>Herbs to Calm the Mind & Soothe the Body</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_doctorshealthpress.aspx'>doctorshealthpress</a> There are plenty of prescription sleep aids on the market, but is taking more drugs really necessary? We know of several herbal remedies that could help you get a good night’s sleep. Let’s look at a few of the here.
Chamomile
Chamomile has been used since ancient times by the Romans and Egyptians. It retains its popularity even today. Chamomile teas can be found in just about every grocery store. It is widely used for its calming effects, both on the nerves and for stomach upset.
The chamomile plant has an aromatic apple-like scent and was subsequently named “ground apple” by the Greeks for this reason. Chamomile grows just about everywhere and is valued for its fragrant scent and ability to heal sick plants that it is planted near.
Side Effects
It is recommended that chamomile not be taken every day for long periods of time, as this could result in a ragweed allergy. Those with a known ragweed allergy should steer clear of chamomile. Chamomile should not be used with other sedatives or alcohol. Chamomile may interact with blood-thinning medications such as warfarin.
How to Take Chamomile
You can buy chamomile tea at the supermarket, but why not try making the tea yourself? Steep one tablespoon (tbsp) of chamomile flowers in one cup of water for 15 minutes. Drink half a cup up to five times a day for digestive problems.
To make a calming tonic and to ease stressed nerves, combine chamomile with passionflower, skullcap, oats or hops. If you want to try chamomile in tincture form, try half a teaspoon (tsp) to one tsp three times per day.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family. It has been used since the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite and ease stomach pain. Lemon balm was often steeped in wine to lift the spirits, help heal wounds and treat insect bites and stings.
Lemon balm is grown all over the world. If you rub your fingers on the leaves of the plant, your fingers will smell tart and sweet, just like lemons.
Side Effects
No side effects or symptoms of toxicity have been reported with lemon-balm use. It is recommended that this herb not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
How to Take Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is available as a dried leaf that can be bought in health-food stores and pharmacies. It is also sold as tea and in capsules, extracts, tinctures and as an essential oil.
For difficulty sleeping, make a tea using 1.5 grams (g) to 4.5 g of dried lemon balm herb in hot water. You can drink this tea up to four times daily. If you are taking capsules, try 300 milligrams (mg) to 500 mg of dried lemon balm three times daily or as needed.
Valerian
Valerian is a herb that people have used for centuries as a treatment for anxiety and sleep disorders. It was used to treat soldiers during World War I who had been exposed to constant bombing and were suffering from “shell shock” as a consequence. It has also been used to ease menstrual and stomach cramps.
Valerian comes from the root of the plant, which grows in areas of North America, Europe and Asia. There are more than 200 known species of valerian, but the Eurasian variety V. officinalis is the one that people use most often as medicine. Valerian root has a distinctive odor that is known for smelling like sweaty socks.
Side Effects
Side effects from valerian are rare. Some have reported mild headache or stomach upset. It is a good idea not to take valerian at the same time as other calming medications or antidepressants. Also, it is a good idea not to take valerian if you will be driving or need to be alert.
How to Take Valerian
Valerian is sold as a dietary supplement and is available as an extract in powder or liquid form, as a dried herb in tea form or in pills.
As a sleep aid, valerian is most effective if you take it shortly before bedtime. For anxiety, you may take a dose three times or more during the day, including before bedtime. It is best to take valerian in a water-soluble extract form. Try taking between 300 mg and 600 mg of valerian-root supplement before going to bed.
People often use valerian in combination with other herbs such as St. John’s wort, passionflower, lemon balm, kava and hops.About the Author: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/subscribe/bb/index.php?sb=ewseh1&affid=wd147&subid=lc1">SIGN UP FOR THE DOCTORS HEALTH PRESS E-BULLETIN AND RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF TOP 12 BRAIN BOOSTING SUPER FOODS!</a> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Herbs-to-Calm-the-Mind--Soothe-the-Body_75794.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Herbs to Calm the Mind & Soothe the Body_75794.aspx</a>

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