(posted by some great woman on the 4herbs list)

Hmmm..without sounding like I am an emotional and physical wreck..heheheh I think I can comment on some of the herbs we have been discussing...

St John''s Wort...
I have been taking it for about two years...I have a four year old daughter and following giving birth to her ..well..lets say the brian chemistry was just NOT the same.Easily angered..very stressed by things of no consiquence....and Oh can we talk about feelign like perpertual PMS? I have been takign two tablets in the am and two at night of the standard capsule dose. Took about two weeks to work but it is DEFINATELY worth it!

Valarian..
Valarian is an herb that *evens* you out. If you are anxious or stressed it helps to relieve that. If you are extremely tired an lethargic..it helps to bring you energy. If you're haing muscle cramps or suffering from insomnia or being unable to sleep...it DEFINATLEY helps that. And one of the blessings of valerian is that it does not..from all I have read...cause problems when mixed with any other medication or herb. I have taken it for muscle spasms..*due to a back injury from a car accident*, PMS or when I have been severly stressed just due to life in general. (: My mother has a multitude of illnesses and I have been tryign to get her to try Valerian for over a year to try and get her to rest and deal with muscle spasms as she cannot take Ibuprofin. FINALLY about a month ago she has taken it for sleeping well for the first time in years. If that is not a recommendation what is? Last year I bought a valerian plant and OH it is gorgeous! The root that is inthe powdered from stinks to high heaven..*lol* but the blooms on this plant that grows about 6 to 8 feet tall are lil clusters of white flowers and have the MOST awesome scent! And the scent itself is very calming and relaxing but..illusive. I walked around for a week trying to figure out what plant is was I was smellign as it was a new scent to me. Its a perennial that is coming back. I am looking forward to having valerian in my garden again.

Ginko Biloba..
Helps with concentration loss due to stress, PMS and having *mommy brain* in the extreme. My multivitamin has that and Ginsing incorporated in it ..and BOY can I tell the diffference when I do NOT take it. I cannot rememeber things as well..and the attention focus is not there.

Chamomile
This is also wonderful for stress reduction! Drink it as s tea..take it as a capsule or put it in the bath and inhale the fumes! All are awesome. It is also great to just pet a chamomile plant and enjoy its scent.

Evening Primrose Oil
Works much the way StJohn's Wort does but I *think* it is not as strong a response. I have been taking that with my St John's Wort and I like the results so far. That one I am not as up on..tho I noticed my PMS was waaaay down when I took it. I sound like a walking problem factory!! heheh Truth is...my whole system was majorly affected by giving birth to my daughter..and not in a good way.

With the help of these God given plants..I am almost back to my ole self..that I liked very much without felling medicated or feeling I am harming myself.