Kava vs Valerian, Passionflower, Other

[Sean D.]

Just wondering: has anyone had any luck with other herbs for muscle relaxation? I've tried Valerian and Passionflower caps (pills) off and on to help ward off tense shoulders during the day and at night, but they never seem to do much other than act as a mild sleep aid right before bed. Could it be because the pills are no good (maybe tea form is better?). I've read that it can take up to a month of consistent use or high doses before they start to work. Does it just take more time? Is Ashwagandha root worth a try? I've also been meaning to try hops tea, but alcohol free hops is hard to find. Chamomile merely makes me sleepy.

Anyway, I've been reading here on the forums about Kava quality control and tudei vs noble. Whatever the case on the science, practical wisdom would tell me to avoid extremes (avoid esp strong) and to find a middle ground, to err on the side of caution, and to not have too much of any one. Best of luck to all the vendors. The more quality Kava out there better! Looking forward to my next batch Regards.

 

[ObiWan]

I also tried Valerain and Passionflower, for over a year. I never felt anything. You can't compare this with the strong effects of Kava.

 

[Beanie]

I have found Ashwagandga to be helpful, there is a particular make on Amazon uk that seems to be stronger than the others so I bought that one and found it be quite good but think kava is better. Ive just started using kava but found it to be stronger. I haven't found Valerian to be that effective for me and Im allergic to Passion Flower i think.

 

[endwatcher]

Ashwagandha is a pretty good adaptogen that does just that.
Being a adaptogen, it will create the environment in your body to be able to adapt more smoothly; and helps with both mental, and physical aspects.
You might wanna also try some American Ginseng, you can buy the fresh root on Ebay.
Valerian and passionflower all depend on where you are getting it from.

 

[Steve T]

Maybe 10 years ago I bought passion flower in a 1-lb bag, like kava, and made super strong teas. One time it made me feel okay. Not like kava though. I remember valerian root having some effects for sleep but nothing big. Plus it smells like dog shit.

 

[ApéroNoble]

Over the years I've tried virtually every nutraceutical from gaba to 5htp, K-tom to tryptophan and theanine, on and on.... nothing comes close to the effects of kava root powder/micro/instant other than pharmaceuticals and then you've got the awful side effects.

 

[Roaddog]

Well I find Valerian to be like kava. The capsules are worthless, you have to get the real root. here is what I ordered Amazon product . Its pretty strong. I used 10 grams in a tea, and wow, It felt pretty relaxing. But it also made my withdrawals from benzo worse a few days after use. I believe it effects similar receptors as benzos. I have also heard that the real ground root, can be a bit addictive, but have no proof of that. But I tried doing everything with the capsules, and got nothing. Until I got ahold of the real root. I had to regrind the root in a coffee grinder, to make it into a powder useful for tea. Also I drank the tea, unstrained, which required a stir, before every drink. But I'm telling you, this stuff works. But I'm scared of the stuff, while I am tapering from Valium. Much love. Roaddog....

 

[Sean D.]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Yeah I've read on a few occasions folks who alternate between Kava and Valerian, but sounds like I need to find the real root for Valerian tea. I'll keep an eye out for that.

The one effect that I did got from Valerian pills was I felt "cooler", literally colder, like it reduced my heart rate/body heat some. Seemed like that could be good for folks who have trouble sleeping when too hot, but I found myself reaching for another blanket.

Thanks again.

 

[MizMizuki]

This is the only Valerian Mix that works for me. This guy's stuff is top notch. I highly recommend it for putting u in the mood to sleep.

Unfortunately, getting caps at the drugstore doesn't do this plant justice. Try it from a decent vendor before throwing in the towel. GL


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[Beanie]

The Ashwagandha tablets I found helpful were the Planetery Herbals make. Full spectrum 570mg. I ordered them from Amazon UK. Dont know where you are. Just for your info though these tablets come from Caribbean so do take a few weeks to arrive. I read reviews so was aware of that, it did take about 3 weeks from what I can remember. I did find them beneficial though and they seemed to have best reviews out of all ashwagandha products.

 

[Beanie]

Well I find Valerian to be like kava. The capsules are worthless, you have to get the real root. here is what I ordered Amazon product . Its pretty strong. I used 10 grams in a tea, and wow, It felt pretty relaxing. But it also made my withdrawals from benzo worse a few days after use. I believe it effects similar receptors as benzos. I have also heard that the real ground root, can be a bit addictive, but have no proof of that. But I tried doing everything with the capsules, and got nothing. Until I got ahold of the real root. I had to regrind the root in a coffee grinder, to make it into a powder useful for tea. Also I drank the tea, unstrained, which required a stir, before every drink. But I'm telling you, this stuff works. But I'm scared of the stuff, while I am tapering from Valium. Much love. Roaddog....

Thats interesting roaddog. I never tried the real root Ive just had capsules,never even thought about trying the root. So yeah probably a bit like the kava where the powder is much stronger than the capsules.

 

[ApéroNoble]

The Ashwagandha tablets I found helpful were the Planetery Herbals make. Full spectrum 570mg. I ordered them from Amazon UK. Dont know where you are. Just for your info though these tablets come from Caribbean so do take a few weeks to arrive. I read reviews so was aware of that, it did take about 3 weeks from what I can remember. I did find them beneficial though and they seemed to have best reviews out of all ashwagandha products.

View attachment 1864

Planetary is very reputable, they're made by the same company as Source Naturals

 

[ApéroNoble]

Well I find Valerian to be like kava. The capsules are worthless, you have to get the real root. here is what I ordered Amazon product . Its pretty strong. I used 10 grams in a tea, and wow, It felt pretty relaxing. But it also made my withdrawals from benzo worse a few days after use. I believe it effects similar receptors as benzos. I have also heard that the real ground root, can be a bit addictive, but have no proof of that. But I tried doing everything with the capsules, and got nothing. Until I got ahold of the real root. I had to regrind the root in a coffee grinder, to make it into a powder useful for tea. Also I drank the tea, unstrained, which required a stir, before every drink. But I'm telling you, this stuff works. But I'm scared of the stuff, while I am tapering from Valium. Much love. Roaddog....

I've not tried this particular brand, but what I've noticed personally from valerian is there seems to be a downing effect which does calm but virtually no uplifting aspects as kava.


I do enjoy Passionflower though. It is the first ingredient in my favorite tea. I almost always follow my sips of kava by drinking this tea. It works nice with kava and has the benefit of being a nice palate cleanser.

 

[Roaddog]

I've not tried this particular brand, but what I've noticed personally from valerian is there seems to be a downing effect which does calm but virtually no uplifting aspects as kava.


View attachment 1869 I do enjoy Passionflower though. It is the first ingredient in my favorite tea. I almost always follow my sips of kava by drinking this tea. It works nice with kava and has the benefit of being a nice palate cleanser.

Yes you are right very sedating, with no uplift. Similar to taking Valium. Much love. Roaddog....

 

[Sean D.]

Thanks. Since you mention it, I've had some luck with this tea too (below). On nights when I don't have time to make kava or I just need to knock out. It cools/off brings down right before bed.

 

[Wigman]

I take ashwagandha occasionally and find that it's relaxing without being too sedating. Valerian is much more sedating for me, and I never take it unless I can sleep late the mext day--it always makes me feel groggy in the morning. Passionflower can be nice, too, but be careful if you're on SSRI's, it gave my girlfriend the twitchies.

I also like lavender and chamomile, just the smell of those two can relax me.

However, I don't buy any of those by the pound and spend a half hour a day blending and straining and gagging them down. They just don't measure up to kava, which makes me feel GOOD in addition to doing all the other things I listed above.

By the way, I agree with @Roaddog on valerian's similarities to kava. I think they sort of smell similar and valerian is like a not fun version of kava. Never tried a strong tea made of it, though.

 

[endwatcher]

I've not tried this particular brand, but what I've noticed personally from valerian is there seems to be a downing effect which does calm but virtually no uplifting aspects as kava.


View attachment 1869 I do enjoy Passionflower though. It is the first ingredient in my favorite tea. I almost always follow my sips of kava by drinking this tea. It works nice with kava and has the benefit of being a nice palate cleanser.

I love the Honey Lavender tea from Yogi...its my fave in flavor from teas.