Herbal Update; Valerian

Good morning this is Rosana rich. Your local herbalist for healthier Maine. I love fragrances. I've been known to spend my last ten dollars on flowers in the dead of winter fragrances to me are heavenly. They conjure up old memories or carry me off to some exotic place. Why one French author wrote an eight volume set just from the aroma of a cookie known as a petite Madeline. So I am not alone. I'll bet there are many of you out there who love the wonderful intoxication that comes with blissful sense. All week I've been wanting to camp in my driveway just so I could go to sleep and wake up with the delicious fragrance of lilacs. Today's herbal update is centered around a plant with a peculiar scent the fragrant valerian Valarie Anna Alice. This plant grows in abundance. There are a few wild flowers that reach

four to five feet high. Only one stim arises from it through the branches slender and terminates in small slightly pinkish white buds. The buds form a flattened cluster and crown the stem delicately. The flowers broom bloom from June to September and give off a faint a. like fragrance. It's a rather peculiar aroma but to me one that is captivating the flowers make a beautiful bouquet alone or when combined with other summer flowers the Lariam is probably most famous for the scent of its root when the root is harvested in the fall or spring. The very fresh fruit is almost sweet smelling. But as the root dries it takes on its infamous characteristic scent one of dirty socks very

dirty smelly socks. It is due to plants like the lariat and other less pleasant tasting and smelling herbs that herbal tea was at times passed over in favor of pills or capsules which did not cause the user any dismay but the profound healing FX of Alarie and have far outweighed its peculiar cancerous perfume. Hilarion is a powerful nerving remember unnerving is an herb that helps the nervous system nerve ings can be divided into three categories nerving tonics that strengthen and restore the nervous system nerving stimulants that directly stimulate or excite nerve activity and nerving relax ins that ease anxiety and tension by soothing the mind and body. An example of unnerving tonic is strong. An example

of unnerving stimulant is Rosemary and an example of unnerving relax and is Hilarion Hilarion has a remarkable effect on the cerebro spinal system and can be used as a sedative and herbal sedative promotes sleep. The Native American Indians used Hilarion for epilepsy and believed that seizures that did not respond to Valarie and were incurable. The Lariam has been used to allay pain and promote restful sleep especially in those suffering from nervous overstrain and possesses none of the after effects produced by narcotics or barbiturates valerian safe muscle relaxant properties and promotion of tranquil sleep make it ideal for elders who may have stress related heart problems. The Lariam is used

worldwide as a relaxing remedy for high blood pressure not only for its nerve relaxation but because it contains bio chemical constituents that are mildly hypertensive. The lariat is also a Carminative which means it stimulates the digestion to work properly and works as an anti spece magic to relieve muscle tension and cramping. There is one caution about the Lariam in a small portion of the population. It may act as a nerve stimulant herbalist Michael Moore describes this best and I quote. The Lariam is a stimulant to judge gesture a stimulant to the lungs a stimulant to the cardiovascular output. If you are an adrenal stress person with diminished intestinal

tract function and have dilated and dried rings with shallow guarded breathing and a rapid thready adrenaline pulse Valeri and stimulates digestive functions increases the depth and efficiency of respiration slows and strengthens the pulse and sedates the brain. It is a tonic said the sedative. It fits your metabolism. If on the other hand you are in a dream no cortico stress person with a strong demanding intestinal track good Maurice lungs and the cardiovascular excess that accompanies moderate essential hypertension from increased blood volume and salt retention then Valarie and will stimulate the functions that are already excessive and leave you both sedation and physical stimulation. Not exactly your herb and quote.

If however you have never taken valerian before it is prudent and wise to take a small test dose initially in very large doses. The Lariam may cause headache agitation and restlessness. If you've never seen or tried Valerian go out with a naturalist or an herbalist and go find some. Enjoy the fragrant flowers. And if you dare find some dried fruit just to have a whiff. If you would like a bibliography of today's herbal update write to me. Rosana rich care of W E R U the hen house Blue Hill falls over 4 6 1 5.