The Benefits of the Use of Valerian in Herbal Preparations

Five years ago I was driving with my newborn son when we were side-struck by a pickup truck that failed to stop at an intersection. It was the first automobile accident that either one of us had experienced and I suffered from severe whiplash. Thankfully, my little baby was fine and only needed a few chiropractic adjustments. I was left feeling severe neck and back pain and spent the following days walking around with my shoulders up to my ears. If my attention was required at either of my sides I would remain in this turtle shell hunch and turn in a half circle.

Chiropractic care during this time was extremely beneficial as I was reestablishing my health After a few adjustments my chiropractor sent me home with a bottle of tablets that contained Valerian as the main ingredient. This was the first time that I had ever used this particular herb and I was so grateful for the relief that I experienced. The tension that I held across my upper back melted and my shoulders relaxed back into a normal posture. The pain that I constantly carried in my neck during that time was eased, and I no longer looked like a deranged turtle.

In a few months my therapy was finished and if I experienced any neck pain it was mild and I used yoga to provide relief. I found that over these few months my pain was infrequent and its severity had decreased. I used Valerian to provide relief from the pain on occasion as needed. Never during this time did I develop dependence for Valerian as a pain reliever.

Last November I was in the final trimester of my third pregnancy. Throughout the week I had been experiencing false labor contractions which I attributed to my hectic schedule. One morning I awoke with a little concern after having several contractions throughout the night. My estimated due date was in three weeks so I continued my day as usual and the contractions remained consistent. We had been preparing for my first home birth so I started to clean the house a bit and looked forward to a relaxing nap. I canceled a chiropractic appointment for that afternoon and made a call to update my midwife about the contractions. My chiropractor also happens to be my midwifes best friend and birth assistant, so I didn't escape my appointment so easily. As I journeyed the forty mile drive my contractions intensified and became more frequent. I could no longer deny that I was in labor.

Within minutes of reaching the office my trigger points were stimulated with acupuncture needles and my midwife was on the way. The contractions continued to intensify, and I was given the same Valerian based tablet that I used years ago. This helped to decrease the amount of pain I was feeling and I was able relax. Good thing too because relaxed is what I needed to feel after my midwife announced “You’re dilated to nine and the baby’s head is right there. You’re not going to make it home. Where do you want to have this baby?”

Well, everything worked out fine. We headed to my midwifes house to have the baby. A mellow labor pursued and forty minutes later I pushed twice and gave birth to a full term baby girl in my midwifes bathtub. This was my second water birth experience but the first labor during which I had used Valerian.

I have a high pain tolerance and had never used anything for pain during a childbirth prior to this experience. Valerian helped to decrease my labor pains. The close contractions never became extremely painful. I was shocked to learn that my newborn weighed an entire pound more than my other two children did when they were born. My fiancée wasn’t able to find the house in time for the delivery and I believe Valerian helped to soothe my nerves from the stress of his absence. Valerian helped me to stop worrying about what I didn’t have done and allowed me one focus - the present - and the great gift that was arriving.

I feel that I am able to handle a large amount of stressful activity before I reach a point where my nerves feel tested. It does happen though and it happens to everyone. Physicians readily hand out prescription medications to patients eager for relief. Millions of people believe the best thing they can do for themselves is to pop a pill. These medications can become addictive and cause new conditions to occur. Society has been taught to blanket conditions like stress, pain, and insomnia with addictive medication instead of using harmless, non-narcotic methods. I believe Valerian is one of the many herbs that can help provide safe and reliable relief without causing physical or psychological harm.