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Chamomile and Valarian as relaxing herbs (relaxants)
By Lynda Appell of n/a
Chamomile and Valerian are herbs. An herb is a plant or part of a plant used for medicinal purposes. These uses can be for relatively minor health problems or rather major medical issues. It may be wise to consult your health care practioner before using any herbal. The plant may be harmless for most people but not for you. An excellent example is alfalfa. Alfalfa contains practically every vitamin, mineral, every essential amino acid. However it is harmful for persons with Lupus.
Plus there may be a more effective, or for that matter, a safer treatment for your ailment.
That being said, herbals can be very useful for many. The fact there are quite a few users of Chamomile and Valarian for the following purposes: Relaxant, calmative, tranquilizer, sedative, hypnotic. Before going further here are some brief definitions in alphabetical order. Calmative. A natural substance that's calming. Hypnotic. This is nothing to do with hypnotism. It simply means an herbal that lets one sleep. A relaxant deals with either/or psychological and physical relaxation. A sedative reduces one's physical activity. Tranquilizer tranquilises. It makes someone tranquil, peaceful.
There are several types of Chamomiles with different properties. The "true" Chamomile is the German species.
The two types possess similar actions. Both can be antiallergic, antidiuretic, anti-inflammatory, sedatives.
The sedative aspect is the one relavant here. Both chamomiles are recommended for insomnia. In fact there is a report that this plant can cause a deep sleep in patients undergoing cardiac catherization. Source "Professional Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicines" In other words its hypnotic par excellance. It is an excellent sleep inducer. Valarian contains similar utilizations to Chamomile. What was said for the first herb can be said for this one. However Valarian is a somewhat stronger hypnotic. Plus its smell is quite disagreeable. Its been compared to the odor of dirty sweaty sweat socks. Taking it in capsule form may lessen this effect. On the other hand the aroma is so strong that simply smelling it can be sleep inducing. I know from personal experience. The question is which one to use. This can simply one of personal choice. However there are pros and cons of each botanical. One of them is side effects. Each medicinal plant causes different adverse reactions. In other words the safety profile may make a difference in choosing what herb to use. Source:Simon Mills "Essential Book of Herbal Medicine" 1991 Penguin Publishing company. This is safety information on Chamomiles. Hypersensitivy, burning sensation on face, eyes, mucous membrances if used topically. It is contraindicated for people with asthma. Persons allergic to ragweed(hayfever) shouldn't use it. Patients on anticoagulants, especially Coumadin should avoid this herb. This is because it contains Coumarin. Those who suffer from any leukemia need to stay away too.
Individuals undergoing any medical test should check with their physician before using Chamomile. For the record there are other herbs containing coumarins. Some are Red Clover, Cinnamon, Parsley. Valarian's side effects include oversedation, and paradoxically with some people over stimulation. There may be liver damage if used in excess. This may be especially true if you are diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and/or any of the hepatitisus, inflammation of the liver. There could be blurred vision, allergic reactions.
Of course pregnant and nursing women can't use any herbs.
Doing so may be harmful to their fetus, nursing baby.
Well there it is. In a way its a matter of opinion, personal choice. Looking into this on a somewhat deeper level the decision needs to be based on one's individual health profile. That is based on your health, medical history one should decide on which herb is of choice. Both are proven effective herbs. My opinion is to see first what the contraindications are and see from there. Contraindication is a medical term meaning not to be used.
Then check out the side effects and see from there. Many SE's are more prominant, likely in people who present with the problem already. For example somebody with hepatoxicity such as an hepatitis should definitely stay away from Valarian. Likewise for someone with hayfever and Chamomile. If still uncertain check with your doctor.
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This intel was contributed by mugwort
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May, 2012
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