These hormonal changes are not what I’d call fun! Night sweats being only one of the lovely effects. Of course being awake at this time of the day when there is so much to do later in the day is also a challenge.

What to do? I’ve already shamelessly promoted my husband, Bob Baran and his solo piano music. I guess I could go listen to “Martian Wonders”. Its combination of ambient sounds and piano usually helps put me back to sleep. But then again, sitting here blogging is pretty entertaining… And yes, oh yes, addictive.

Maybe I want to stay up a little longer.

I could take some valerian root. It is kinda tasty in a cup of tea. Herbal tea of course. If I drink any caffeine at this time, it’ll be 4 pm before I get back to sleep. It is Saturday. It might be an interesting way to spend the day. Buzzy from lack of sleep. Stumbling around blurry eyed. Umm, maybe not.

If I drink some valerian now, I might get to sleep in an hour or so. It isn’t the greatest of sleep aids, but it does mellow me out a bit.

Are you familiar with valerian root? It has a strong, rather sweetish odor that is unmistakable once you are familiar with it. I discovered it back in the 80’s when I was doing massage for a living. I have always kept some in tincture form around just for nights like this. Though sometimes it doesn’t do more than chill me out a bit. Other times, I’ll hit the hay in short order. I guess it just depends on how tired I really am.

Interested in knowing more about valerian, here are a number of factoids:

According to Wikipedia: the main current use of valerian is as a remedy for insomnia. It has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Most of the page on valerian has a bunch of technical jargon. But there were some other interesting facts listed there.

For example:

How valerian works as a mild sedative remains unknown.

It has been used as a sedative, anti-convulsant, migraine treatment and pain reliever…

And it has an unusual affect on cats and rats.

Some cats will act like they have found the catnip of their dreams. Rolling on the dried root, salivating all over it and eating it, if you leave it out where they can get at it. Burmese cats go as far as deliberately destroying containers to obtain it. Then again, some cats will not go near valerian root.

“Valerian is also very attractive to rats, so much so that it has been used to bait traps. Some versions of the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin have him using valerian, as well as his pipes, to attract the rats.

Valerian’s effect on cats is featured as a clue in two works by Agatha Christie.”

All of the above is either directly from Wikipedia (shameless copy/paste placed in quotes) or paraphrased.

What are the side effects of valerian root you might ask? Again according to Wikipedia:
“Valerian root is non-toxic but may cause side effects in excessive doses.” Few adverse effects have been reported. “Large doses or chronic use may result in stomach ache, apathy, and a feeling of mental dullness or mild depression. In some individuals, valerian can cause stomach ache, anxiety, and night terrors.” So don’t take too much and don’t make it an every night treatment for your insomnia.

I’m actually feeling the effects of the valerian I took awhile back. I guess it’s time to go curl up against my man, under my heavy blanket and get some sleep before dawn.

Hope you get some sleep soon too. Maybe give valerian a try. It might help you and as you saw above there really are no side effects unless you take too much or take it for too long. (Legal stuff… Check with your doctor first before taking any kind of medication, herbal or otherwise.) Of course we all follow that advise when we grab that 2nd or 3rd glass of wine. Don’t we?!

Good night and thanks for being here,

Gwen