Valerian Tea-when you’re feeling lonely

Feeling lonely? Looking for a beverage to deal with it? Go grab a cup of valerian tea and get rid of all anxieties.

It’s me again!

So my dear husband has been traveling a lot and we mainly see him at the weekends.

Today he left again for the week and every time I shut the door behind him I feel this mild anxiety and empty feeling in my chest.

Researching how I can help, I reminded myself of this miraculous plant that reduces anxiety – Valerian.

The brew made from valerian root is extremely beneficial in different affections that I will explain.

Let’s start with my favorite – it calms anxiety.

How? Using the same principle as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium).

It increases GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid) levels. This acid helps regulate nerve cells, therefore reducing anxiety – funny how a root can do this without the help of pharmaceutical companies, right?

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, my dad has been on blood pressure medication for the last few years.

He has a high blood pressure so he’s been taking pills for most of his life.

Tonight I called my mum – just the usual “oh, hi mum, I’m sad, hubs left again and my palms are sweaty and I feel like I could hyperventilate a bit” – I know, I can be dramatic, I’ve been told this before.

What I didn’t expect is my mum to give me this answer “oh, Ale, grow up, boil spring water and make yourself a soothing cup of valerian tea. I’ve been giving it to your father because pills destroy his stomach and I needed to find something else to lower his blood pressure”.

WOW! Another super healthy brew to treat high blood pressure – Awesome!

As my mum proceeded to tell me, this root improves stress management. Forget the old “count to ten when you’re mad” technique, just boil the kettle – she does know me well bless her, she knows I’m always stressed by minor things. I just think I have no patience left for anything else than my son.

Last but not least, ladies, this magical brew also eases menstrual cramps, because it is a natural antispasmodic. I love it! So far it has ticked 3 of my most frequent “pains”.

Brewing a good cuppa is something not everyone can do, and I loathe bad tea.

Rod Stewart

A bad cup of tea is insulting. Here’s what people don’t normally know – valerian root needs to be infused for a longer amount of time because it’s toughness; so a perfect potion out of it sounds like this:

• Put hot water from the tap in a mug in order to heat up the cup – same as hot food is served on a hot plate, because temperature differences make a difference in taste and how well it would benefit you.

• Boil the kettle. When the water is boiling, throw away the warm tap water, put your valerian root in the mug and fill the mug with freshly boiled water – about 1 teaspoon (2g) of root per 240 ml (8 Oz) of water.

• Cover and let it sit for 10 – 15 minutes.

I like valerian tea with a dash of milk and a teaspoon of ?, for it not to taste too much like herb.

That’s it, I’m calm now and I can finally see that he’s not gone forever, he’s just an hour flight away and he does love us.

With joyous love, Ale.