Rest & Relax with Valerian
- realmofremedies
- May 30, 2022
- 4 min read
“I belong among the wildflowers. I belong somewhere where I feel free.”
This affirmation came up today and my heart sank. This is where I am headed, this is where I deserve to be. By doing what I love sets a STRONG example for my children (and hopefully others too!). I can see the impact I am having on my children. They are just as excited as I am to be teaching plant medicine to other children. I want this for my children, to feel free and do what they love! My hopes are to inspire you to do the same, whatever that might be. I am personally sending you the courage to take the steps towards whatever it is you were sent here to do. We all have a purpose.
Valerian. She is native to Europe, Asia, and naturalized in North America. The dense clusters of deep pink, almost crimson flowers, of red valerian are unmistakable as they grow out on tall stems from old stone walls, roadside verges, railway cuttings, cliffs and rocks. Introduced into gardens before the 1600s, this plant from the Mediterranean soon escaped and became naturalized in the wild. Despite its non-native status, it is a good source of nectar from May to October for bees, butterflies and moths like the Hummingbird Hawkmoth.
This herbs energetics are spicy, bitter, and warming. The parts used are the roots after two spring life’s have been fulfilled. Valerian is a nervine, meaning it strengthens function activity of nervous system. It can have opposite effects on people who have heated condition, since the herb it heating as well as sedative. This is an example of why sometimes is important not to just treat symptomatically but instead energetically. I plan to teach the children all about this in Level 2 of Herbalism for Children (coming next spring). For now, Valerian is a great herb we use as part of our Rest and Relax Tea!
Our Rest and Relax Tea blend is made up of
1 cup of water (250 ml)
1/2 teaspoon of valerian root (or 2 g)
1/2 teaspoon of (or 2 g)
2 fresh lemon balm leaves
Because we’re using a root, we will lightly boil the valerian for 5 minutes then pull the tea pot off the stove. We have fresh chamomile, so the kids enjoy plucking those from the garden and adding it to their cups to steep for about another 5 minutes. Right before drinking, the kids will toss in the lemon balm leaves!
If you are not up for making your own tea, my girls and myself love to drink Sleepy Time Extra Tea when we are in a pinch and don’t have the fresh herbs on hand. It can be found in your local grocery store or HERE on amazon!
Valerian may also help with:
· Insomnia
· Sleep quality
· Sleep latency
· Reduce anxiety
· Reduce PMS
· Improve brain function
It is noted that taking Valerian with central nervous system depressants and/or alcohol can increase the effects. While no case reports have been noted, it is recommended that you take caution when mixing Valerian with these substances. Valerian is well regarded as a safe herb. It can be used over the long term. No adverse effects are expected if consumed within the recommended dosage.
The charts below will give you recommendations of how much to give to a baby or child.
Note:
- A typical adult dose is 1 cup (8 oz.) of tea, and two dropperfuls (or squeezes, which is 60 drops) of tincture each dose. The information below is based on this information.
- Follow the dosage recommendations on the product label as far as the frequency, or how many times a day the herbs should be given, using the dosage amounts given below. For example, if an adult dose is 1 cup of tea or 2 dropperfuls of tincture 3 times a day, the recommended dose for a 2 year old would be 2 teaspoons of tea or 10 drops of tincture 3 times a day.
Teas
When the adult (age 12 and over) dose is 1 cup (8 oz.) of tea, the following is recommended for children:
Age -- Dosage Younger than 2 years -- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon 2 to 4 years -- 2 teaspoons 4 to 7 years -- 1 tablespoon 7 to 11 years -- 2 tablespoons
Tinctures
When the adult dose is 2 dropperfuls (60 drops), the following is recommended for children:
Age -- Dosage Younger than 3 months -- 2 drops 3 to 6 months -- 3 drops 6 to 9 months -- 4 drops 9 to 12 months -- 5 drops 12 to 18 months -- 7 drops 18 to 24 months -- 8 drops 2 to 3 years -- 10 drops 3 to 4 years -- 12 drops 4 to 6 years -- 15 drops 6 to 9 years -- 24 drops 9 to 12 years -- 30 drops
Other ways to determine dosage: Young's Rule - Add 12 to the child's age. Divide the child's age by this total. Example: dosage for a 4-year-old: 4 divided by 16 (4+12) = .25, or 1/4 of the adult dosage.
Cowling's Rule - Divide the number of the child's next birthday by 24. Example: dosage for a child who is 3, turning 4 would be: 4 divided by 24 = .16, or 1/6 of the adult dosage.
Reference used: “Herbal Remedies for Children's Health” by Rosemary Gladstar
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