| Excerpt from "...Healthy Sleep: A Guide To Natural | | | | simply leave it as is. |
| Sleep Remedies!" | | | | 2. Now, sew three sides together using needle and |
| Lavender | | | | thread (or a sewing machine). |
| Lavender (L. angustifolia and others) is a shrubby | | | | 3. Open the unsown side of the handkerchief and |
| flowering bush indigenous to the mountainous regions | | | | proceed to fill it (like apillow) with lavender plant pieces |
| of the western Mediterranean and is considered have | | | | and/or buds. Be sure to use a lot of plant material, but |
| been first domesticated by the Arabians, then later | | | | don't stuff it too tight. The end result will be a lot like a |
| spread across Europe by the Romans. | | | | beanbag. |
| Lavender was brought to North America by the | | | | Sprinkle the pieces with lavender essential oil. 8 to 10 |
| Pilgrims and was one of the first garden plants | | | | drops should be more than enough. |
| imported to Australia in the 19th century. It can be | | | | 4. Thread your large needle with 1/4" ribbon and |
| found in abundance in the wild in many parts of the | | | | loosely thread to keep the plant materials inside your |
| world as well as being garden grown in a sunny, | | | | homemade sachet. |
| well-drained area, preferably in mildly alkaline soil. The | | | | 5. Tie the whole thing off with a knot. |
| smaller species will also grow quite easily in | | | | 6. Enjoy your new sachet |
| well-drained pots. This popular flowering herb's | | | | Valerian Root |
| essential oil has been demonstrated to depress the | | | | In the wild, Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) is found in |
| central nervous system in a manner comparable to | | | | high pastures and dry heath land. It flowers in late |
| pharmaceutical tranquilizers. | | | | spring. |
| Lavender is very useful and effective in its usage as a | | | | The principle components used for medicinal purposes |
| sleep aid. In addition to the use of lavender flowers in a | | | | are the roots and rhizomes, which are typically |
| brewed tea, it may also used in the form of an | | | | harvested in September and then dried to produce the |
| essential oil distilled from the leaves, flowers and stems | | | | commonly available herbal product. |
| of the plant. | | | | Valerian is also known by various folk names: All-Heal, |
| Lavender oil can be applied topically to relax the | | | | Amantilla, Bloody Butcher, Capon's Trailer, Cat's |
| muscles or its aroma can be inhaled for a calming | | | | Valerian, English Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Garden |
| effect. Rubbing lavender essential oil on the feet is a | | | | Heliotrope, Phu, Red Valerian, St. George's Herb, Sets |
| particularly effective method for application, as | | | | Wale, Set Well, and Vandal Root. |
| anything on the feet is absorbed quickly. | | | | Unlike many other natural herbal sleep aids, to gain the |
| It is widely used in aromatherapy and can be added to | | | | benefits of the effects of valerian root it is necessary |
| bathwater, dispersed in a vaporizer or simply dabbed | | | | to use it on a regular basis, with the full effects coming |
| on a tissue and breathed in. The essential oil leaves | | | | to fruition slowly and steadily over time. |
| and flowers can also be employed in a sachet | | | | It should be used for about one month to produce |
| underneath the pillow. | | | | results. Regular use of valerian root promotes deep |
| It should be noted that allergic contact dermatitis has | | | | relaxation and sleep. |
| been documented in some individuals applying lavender | | | | Studies suggest that valerian is by far the best natural |
| products externally. | | | | solution for insomnia and general sleeplessness for |
| To safely detect an allergic reaction it is always a | | | | most individuals. |
| good idea to do a spot test before administering a full | | | | Research by P.D. Leatherwood, Ph.D., and F. |
| application. | | | | Chauffard, Ph.D., at Nestlé Research |
| Also note that not all varieties of lavender are | | | | Laboratories in Switzerland, determined that a 450 mg |
| tranquilizing -- some, such as Spanish lavender, can | | | | dose of valerian in an aqueous extract is the optimum |
| have just the opposite effect. | | | | dose as an insomnia treatment; a higher dose typically |
| Lavender Mint Tea (One serving) | | | | results in grogginess without increasing effectiveness, |
| Ingredients: | | | | and therefore care should be taken when |
| * 1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers (or 1/2 teaspoon | | | | administering valerian as a treatment for insomnia. |
| dried lavender flowers) | | | | Furthermore, in 1982 Leatherwood and colleagues |
| * 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves (or 2 | | | | performed a double-blind crossover study of 128 |
| teaspoons dried mint) | | | | subjects, which found valerian root to not only be |
| * 1 cup boiling water | | | | effective as a sedative for insomnia, but also effective |
| * Rosemary, lemon balm or lemon verbena, and rose | | | | in improving the overall quality of sleep in test subjects. |
| geranium may also be added for an interesting | | | | The effects of valerian on the body are similar to that |
| multi-herb herbal tea. | | | | of benzodiazepine, an active ingredient in Valium(TM), |
| Preparation: | | | | but without dulling effects or next-day lethargy (it has |
| In a teapot or saucepan combine the lavender flowers | | | | been suggested that Valium's name was inspired by |
| and mint (either loose or using a tea infuser). Pour | | | | valerian, although the two are completely different |
| boiling water over the mixture; steep 5 minutes. The | | | | chemically and should not be confused as being the |
| infuser can then be taken out or the leaves removed | | | | same or even related). |
| with a strainer. | | | | Valerian is commonly prescribed as a calming sleep |
| Homemade Lavender Sachet | | | | aid and widely recommended for treating |
| You will need: | | | | anxiety-related sleep problems. |
| * Lavender plant (stems, leaves or buds) | | | | Unlike other commonly prescribed sleep medication, it is |
| * Lavender essential oil | | | | entirely nontoxic, does not impair the ability to drive or |
| * A handkerchief | | | | operate heavy machinery, nor does it exaggerate the |
| * 2 needles (1 large to fit 1/4" ribbon and 1 regular size) | | | | effects of alcohol. |
| * Thread | | | | It has been documented that valerian can act as a |
| * Ribbon (1/4" wide) | | | | delayed stimulant for some individuals depending on |
| It should be easy to find all the necessary items listed | | | | body chemistry. |
| above from your local craft or floral supply store. You | | | | In the case of certain metabolic conditions, the effect is |
| may use lavender harvested from your own plants or | | | | one of initially calming them down only to cause a |
| order the lavender buds online (just enter "lavender" or | | | | surge of energy several hours later - not an effect |
| "lavender buds" into your favorite search engine to find | | | | desired by those interested in using valerian as a |
| an online retailer). | | | | nighttime sleeping remedy. |
| Instructions: | | | | Some professional herbalists suggest taking fresh |
| 1. Fold handkerchief in half, and then fold it in half again. | | | | valerian root extract as opposed to extract from dried |
| You can iron the handkerchief for a crisper look, or | | | | valerian, as it is less likely to cause such a reaction. |