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Post by Scarlet on Aug 18, 2007 8:38:54 GMT
Also has anyone heard of this herb, it's widely used over here to help with insomnia and folks swear by it. I heard that it should not be used every night mind you and probably it's best to check with your doc first.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Valerian is relaxing and sleep inducing, relieves spasms, calms the digestion, and lowers blood pressure. It is useful for severe insomnia and insomnia accompanied by pain, cramps, intestinal pain, wind, menstrual pain, tension, anxiety, and over-excitability.
Valerian can bring on a restful sleep without morning sleepiness or other side effects or dangers of addiction. Studies have shown that valerian has an extremely beneficial effect among poor or irregular sleepers (particularly women), and in people having difficulty falling asleep.
Valerian has been widely used in folk medicine as a sedative and antihypertensive. Clinical studies have substantiated valerian's ability to improve sleep quality and relieve insomnia. In one study, valerian showed a significant effect compared to the placebo, with forty-four percent reporting perfect sleep and eighty-nine percent reporting improved sleep. In another double-blind study of insomniacs, twenty subjects received either a combination of valerian root extract (160 mg) and Melissa officinalis extract (80 mg), benzodiazepine (triazolam 0.125 mg), or a placebo. In the insomniac group, the valerian/melissa preparation showed an effect comparable to that of the benzodiazepines, as well as an ability to increase deep-sleep stages 3 and 4. The valerian/melissa preparation did not, however, cause any daytime sleepiness, and there was no evidence of diminished concentration or impairment of physical performance.
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flobob
Senior Member
Posts: 357
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Post by flobob on Aug 24, 2007 5:17:01 GMT
Hello Reading this has been very helpful. I was going to yoga when I was pregnant, at the time I had ante-natal depression (which I couldn’t get treatment for) which wasn't why I went - I just thought it would be good to have some way of relaxing and being prepared for the birth - ha! I did go back to yoga after my baby was born, when he was about 3 or 4 months. It was great. Not for exercise but for relaxation. But then I scared myself by just how relaxed I was. The yoga teacher gently touched my foot - I jumped, nearly hit the ceiling, screamed, and started crying. I wasn't ready to "let go" and was scared that if I did I would just cry and cry and not be able to stop. So I stopped going. And now it is a bit more difficult to get to the class. But I do want to take positive action so I'm going to try to find something closer to home. The reflexology and reiki both sound relaxing. I have recently seen a psychiatrist via the NHS. He has referred me for CBT. The NHS waiting list is 6 months so he suggested I go privately which I think I will now look into because I really don't want to wait 6 months - if I start now I might be better within 6 months! Positive thinking moment happening I wondered if anyone else has tried CBT and whether you'd share your knowledge about it. I am nervous because I don't understand how it works. Many thanks. I'm also interested in the Bach flower remedies because Looni explains that you take the ones suited to your symptoms, which sounds right - thanks Looni. Winegirl you said you were waiting for some in the post. Where did you order them from? I do have problems sleeping - I have been up since 4am this morning. But I have always been like that - I started a business during the extra morning time I had before my full-time job 5 years ago. So I don't think I'll try the sleep remedies. Plus because I'm on my own with baby during the week I worry that if I take something for sleep then I won't hear him in the night. I have a plan for today - wear out my little boy in the morning with lots of fun busy-ness and then we can both have a sleep after lunch. Mmmm, let's hope it works ;D Flobob x
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Post by winegirl on Aug 24, 2007 19:36:20 GMT
Hi Flobob
I ordered off the internet, will dig out the site I used for you. I use Aspen - which is for general and anxiety, and Rock Rose - which is for exceptional fear of something specific. So far, I think that whilst by no means is this stuff a cure, it can sometimes take the edge off things for me.
Also, I had reflexology for PCOS (polycstic ovarian syndrome) after being told I wouldn't conceive. We tried for two years with no luck but 2 months into a fortnightly session and I was pregnant. The reflexologist even told me without me saying anything to her that she could feel the part of my feet relating to my reproductive system seemed a bit out of sorts. Spooky! Definately giving it a go again soon.
Anyway, hope some of that is of help x
Winegirl x
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flobob
Senior Member
Posts: 357
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Post by flobob on Aug 28, 2007 20:30:02 GMT
Hello Winegirl thanks for that info on flower remedies - someone has sent me a private message (was it you?) but i don't know how to get it. Please can someone help me? Sorry to ask here. FloBob
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Post by Jay on Aug 30, 2007 14:23:50 GMT
Hi , to get your messages you click on the green writing, near where it says Hey, flobob, you have __messages at the top of the page. Near to the date and time, it is the actual word messages which will take you in to this bit.
Hope this helps. Jay x
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flobob
Senior Member
Posts: 357
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Post by flobob on Sept 11, 2007 18:45:54 GMT
Thank you Jay, I picked up my message now. Obvious once you told me how to do it! FloBob
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flobob
Senior Member
Posts: 357
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Post by flobob on Sept 18, 2007 11:30:30 GMT
Hello, I thought I'd come back and update here.
I now have an assessment appointment for CBT on the NHS on 17 Dec. It is so far away. After that there is another waiting list to get treatment and as they have different therapists offering slightly different methods depending on your needs they can't say how long the waiting list for that is.
So I've also bought a book "Overcoming Depression" (Scarlet recommended it to me) which is a guide to CBT and has exercises to do. So I'm going to try doing it on my own. Reading and understanding the book is the first challenge! I also bought another book called "Healing without Freud or Prozac". Haven't looked at that one yet. But I just thought at first glance in the bookshop that it looked quite helpful.
I think if I use either book properly I'll start a new thread to explain it just in case anyone else is interested or it helps someone else.
Bye, FloBob
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Post by winegirl on Sept 18, 2007 12:11:34 GMT
Hi Flobob
Yes it would be great to see how you get on with the books! I keep meaning to get `Healing without Freud or Proxac' myself. Let us know what you think x
Winegirl x
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Post by krism71505 on Feb 23, 2011 20:53:55 GMT
I have just begun using SAM e...I will let you know how I make out.
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Post by Weeble on Feb 23, 2011 21:03:13 GMT
Hate to ask a stupid question but what is Sam?
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