Anyone who is just beginning to take Valerian should begin with small doses and increase the amount of herb used as needed. This is because Valerian is very powerful, so a little care with administration of this herb will ensure safe and effective results. Valerian is known for its effectiveness as a sedative and should be used responsibly. Anyone using Valerian should not attempt to do tasks that require full alertness, such as drive. Alcohol and narcotics should not be taken when using Valerian. There is only one known severe overdose of Valerian. On this occasion, a woman took twenty times the recommended dosage and attempted suicide. This does not by any means make Valerian accountable, and the herb remains on the Food & Drug Administration’s list of safe foods. This instance only confirms the importance of following dosage instructions and using the herb with care. One can benefit from the great healing properties of Valerian by using several different methods of application.
Preparing a cup of Valerian tea is a common but stinky way to obtain medicinal results. The strong tasting tea is tolerable and can be a relaxing method of using Valerian before bedtime. An infusion of Valerian should be used as opposed to a decoction. A decoction should be avoided since the root of this herb should not be boiled so that vital essential oils are not lost. Infusions of Valerian are used for external applications. Dr. Christopher recommended using two ounces of this infusion before meals and again before bedtime. Otherwise, a cup of tea steeped with two teaspoons of the dried herb may be used before retiring for the night.
Using a tincture form of Valerian is great for those who find the smell of the herb unpleasant. In addition, a tincture of Valerian will maintain it's medicinal value for several years. The recommended dosage for a tincture of Valerian is one to two teaspoons daily.
Using Valerian in a powdered or capsule form is an easy way to take Valerian but a little extra attention is required. The dosage for the powdered form of Valerian is between three hundred milligrams to one gram. If purchasing a marketed form of Valerian, careful examination of the label will provide the amount of herb and how many capsules to take. Typical dosage, depending on content, is about two capsules. Filling individual capsules with powdered Valerian would require great care to assure that dosage instructions are safe and accurate.
Another recommended form of use is an elixir of Valerian. Elixirs contain high concentrations of the herb and need to be used in small doses. Generally, a half a teaspoon to one full teaspoon are taken. Only five to fifteen drops is advised if a fluid extract is being used. For solid extracts the dosage instructions would be between three hundred to six hundred milligrams.
As mentioned earlier, commercial formulas may contain additional herbs besides Valerian. Therefore, dosage instructions should be followed as they will vary depending what the formula consists of. The average amount of volatile oil from Valerian in commercial preparations is about .05 percent. With this in mind, a preparation that contains a higher percentage of the oil will not require as high of a dosage. Also one should to keep in consideration that the precious qualities contained in the root may vary in potency.
"Natural Healing with Herbs for a Healthier You"
