Taking a valerian/hops/skullcap/passionflower combo long term, safe?

Question by mad_butler007: Taking a valerian/hops/skullcap/passionflower combo long term, safe?
I’ve had a lot of trouble with anxiety, sleeping and other issues I can’t really go into detail about here for a while. I’ve used benzodiazepines for some time, low dose and only a few times a month but I really didn’t want to get on them because I know withdrawal is hell with them so I switched to a remedy called “Sleep Relax” which is a combo of herbs. The recommended dose is 2-3 capsules at bedtime, I take 3.

I’ve been taking it everyday for about a month now. It hasn’t lost its effectiveness, it really helps me sleep (though not always, just like with benzos) and most importantly, relax which is why I can’t get to sleep, usually, I can’t relax.

I know nothing’s great for you long term, and I also know that some herbs like Kava Kava, which are relaxing, have been found to cause liver toxicity etc.

I know valerian is approved for long term use by some people but others say you can get withdrawal too or mild addiction. I’m worried about that since that’s why I stopped the benzos but right now my health condition is such that I can’t not take something, so I chose the lesser of two evils, I guess.

These are the amounts of herbs in each capsule: Valerian root (0.8% valerianic acid) 100mg, Skullcap 100mg, Passionflower 50mg, Hops powder 50mg, Hops extract 25mg. Mind you, I take 3 capsules so it’s 300, 300, 150, 150 and 75mg respectively.

It also acts very quickly for me, within 20 min I can feel the effect and it’s even stronger than one 0.5 benzo (which is a low dose).

Opinions? Experiences? Anything you’ve heard? I tried researching it but there are a LOT of contradicting opinions. I don’t get any side effects from it other than drowsiness, btw.

Best answer:

Answer by janie
Well, I think you should not think of these blessed herbs as the “lesser of two evils” You are not having side effects and I think maybe your tendency to over-worry is coming in here.

People often take medical drugs like water, eat tons of sugar, salt, junk foods, smoke, drink, worry themselves to death etc and think nothing of it but when it is an herb they tend to worry a lot.

I looked and the first three links I found said valerian is safe and not addictive. I saw no problem with any of the herbs except valerian

here is what I found–

“There has only been one reported overdose while using Valerian Root in 1995 and the user took over 20 times the recommended dosage and the user recovered within 24 hours.”

also this one place “When using this root for insomnia, do not take it (or any other sleep aid) for more than two week periods. You should not get accustomed to taking a sleep aid in order to sleep – you need to assist your body in learning how to sleep at appropriate times. However, using a natural product to aid your body in its habits is highly preferred”

and this “If you’ve been taking valerian for a long time and decide to stop, it seems best to cut back gradually on the dosage amount of valerian.”

(Valerian and addiction)

http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_valerian.htm

http://www.sleepydust.net/roots-valerian.html

http://www.homeopathicdoctor.ca/Health_Notes/HERB/VALERI_1.HTM

Since there is that caution on long term use on that one website, I would try this instead.

when I cannot relax or turn off my thoughts or worried or obsessing on a problem and can’t stop, I use lavender essential oil and it always works for me without fail.

*I took several 14 hour bus trips to protest rallies and never could sleep a wink though everyone else on the bus slept.

finally one time I took the essential oil. I shook it on the pillow and I slept for several hours straight through. When I woke up once to go to the bathroom, everyone around me also fell asleep or if they woke when I sprinkled it , they soon feel asleep.

when I am worrying cause I can’t sleep and toss and turn, I then remember the lavender sprinkle it liberally and next thing I know I am waking up.

You might also want to take timed release melatonin with it 1-3 mg

here is the brand of lavendar I used

http://www.auracacia.com/dspCmnPrd.php?p=t&cn=Lavender&ct=anpceoeo&i=p&br=Aura+Cacia

if this does not work, make tincture yourself use the bulk herb section of health food store or online. Get organic or wildcrafted herbs as they are several times better and more potent in plant chemicals than most of the garbage out there.

mix into your tincture (use 80 proof vodka) to make it..email me if you want the full directions on making tinctures or search under organic bulk herbs online..put an expiration date 5 years from the date you make it though it will be good long after that. Store in the dark or a dark glass bottle.

Use only the skullcap (two parts) the passionflower (1 part) and the hops (1 part) leave out the valerian or just use a small amount like 1/4th part, and that way you can continue to take it safely as long as you like as the only herbs with any potential for harm might be the valerian. See how it works. It is best to take herbs in a tincture form as it is much better absorbed. the amount you are taking is really quite small currently.

The standard amount for a dose of tincture is 2 dropperfuls (60 drops)..most are taken 3-5 times a day but I think you are just taking this at night so continue that. If you don’t like the taste, add a little frozen grape juice and a spoon of water or maybe some chamomile or other relaxing tea with it.

It is best to take herbs 6 days a week and rest on the 7th and take for 6 weeks and not on the 7th and then repeat as needed according to master herbalist, dr john christopher.

Hope this helps you..as that sounds frustrating. Think of herbs more like foods than drugs..generally they are quite safe, can be mixed and though they may works slower, it is more long lasting and on a cellular level.

Give your answer to this question below!