Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Valerian is an attractive perennial with pretty pink flowers. It grows throughout Europe and is now established in North America. The root has been used medicinally as far back as the 1st century AD. Valerian was used to treat soldiers with ‘shell shock’ during World War II.

Medicinal Properties of Valerian

Valerian contains many active constituents, including volatile oils, irridoids and alkaloids. Valerian influences levels of GABA, an amino acid found in the brain, which helps combat stress. This herb taken in small doses is calming without causing drowsiness. Larger doses become mildly sedative and help restore regular sleep patterns. As a bonus Valerian is an effective antispasmodic and analgesic, which is of use in cramps of the digestive system.

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Cramp, Flu, Heart, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Neuralgia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic, Sleep, Stomach, Stress, Tension

Passiflora or passion flower is a popular climbing vine with gardeners as it is adorned with beautiful purple flowers. It is native to South, Central and North America, but varieties of this vigorous plant now grow almost everywhere. The plant acquired its name from the 16th-century Spanish missionaries, who believed the flower represented the crucifixion: the three styles for the nails through Christ’s hands and feet, and the five stamens for his wounds. The leaves, stems and flowers are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Passiflora

The most important constituents of Passiflora are flavonoids, especially apigenin and isovitexin and the glycosides, including gynocardin. Passiflora has relaxing and anti-Anxiety properties, as well as mild pain relieving and anti-spasmodic effects.

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Cramp, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic, Sleep, Stomach, Wound

The Hops plant is native to Europe, Asia and North America. This climbing plant is well known for its use in the brewing industry as the Hops are using for flavouring beer. The Hops are essentially the flowers of the plant, which are often termed ‘strobiles’ and are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Hops

Hops contain bitters, phytooestrogens, volatile oil and resin. The bitters, humulone and lupulone have stimulating action of the appetite and digestive sytem, whilst the oils have a sedative and nerve soothing action. Hops are also said to be mildly diuretic, antispasmodic and have aphrodisiac properties.

Hops Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Hops for the following disorders:

Tags: Anxiety, Appetite, Depression, Digestion, Insomnia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic, Skin, Sleep, Stress

Lemon balm, balm or Melissa is an aromatic plant that originates from southern Europe, but now grows freely all over the world. It is often found as a popular plant in domestic herb gardens due to its pleasant lemon fragrance and attractive white flowers. It is best grown in a pot due to its invasive habit. The whole plant is used in herbal medicine.

Action of Lemon Balm

This herb contains a lemon-smelling volatile oil which consists of terpenes that demonstrate sedative and carminative (wind relieving) effects. It also contains phenolic acids, bioflavanoids and other constituents that seem responsible for its thyroid-regulating actions. It has well known healing, anti-viral benefits for cold sores (herpes simplex) and it is said to be antibacterial, antispasmodic, antidepressant, antihistamine and a heart sedative and brain tonic when in shock or stress.

Tags: Anxiety, Cold, Colic, Depression, Digestion, Heart, Heartburn, Indigestion, Infections, Migraine, Nervous, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic, Sleep, Sore, Stress