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| given, and indeed sometimes 2 tsp. at one time. It is almost pointless to give 10 or 20 drops of valerian tincture. Overdosage is highly unlikely, even with much larger doses. For situations of extreme stress where a sedative or muscle relaxant effect is needed fast, the single dose of 1 teaspoonful may be repeated 2 or 3 times at short intervals. |
| The dried herb is prepared as an infusion to ensure no loss of the volatile oils. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb for each cup of tea prepared. With these doses expect a good relaxing, antispasmodic and sleep-inducing effect, and above all rapid sedation in states of excitement. A cold infusion may be used: a cup of cold water is poured over one to two teaspoons of valerian root and left to stand for 810 hours. A nighttime dose is thus set up in the morning, and a dose for the mornings is prepared at night. |
| Ashwagandha Withania somnifera |
| Part used: Root. |
| Actions: Adaptogen, sedative. |
| Indications: Ashwagandha is an herb from India used for the treatment of debility, impotence and premature aging. Modern research has stressed its antitumour and adaptogenic actions, reinforcing its comparison with ginseng. However, ashwagandha occupies an important place in the herbal materia medica, because while it is not as potent as panax ginseng, it lacks the stimulating effects of the latter. In fact it has a mild sedative action as indicated by its specific name somnifera. This makes it ideally suited to the treatment of overactive but debilitated people. Its indications include debility and nervous exhaustion especially due to stress, convalescence after acute illness or extreme stress and chronic inflammatory diseases especially of connective tissue. It is ideally suited as a general tonic for disease prevention and for those under stress. |
| Preparation and dosage: Infusion: put 1/2 teaspoonful of |
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