| Iron Neck is a condition where the muscles in the neck | | | | of nerve cells in the brain, causing relaxation. It is helpful |
| get stiff. There are a number of remedies that can be | | | | for anxiety and insomnia because of its calming effect. |
| used that do not include using drugs. One | | | | Chemicals known as harmala alkaloids, used to block |
| recommendation is a hot wrap with a therapeutic | | | | an enzyme involved in depression, are also apparent in |
| massage. There are also teas that help relax the body. | | | | the passion flower. It is effective in increasing the |
| I will discuss some of these and other therapies | | | | activity of neurotransmitters like dopamine, |
| directly. | | | | norepinephrine, and serotonin for increasing mood |
| Helpful herbs: | | | | stability by blocking monoamine oxidase. |
| - Kudzu | | | | Passion flower tea is great for relieving pain and |
| - Passion Flower | | | | muscle spasms. Take a ¼ teaspoon of herb |
| - Valerian | | | | and steep it in near boiling water for 4-5 minutes and |
| This list is far from being comprehensive; it is just a | | | | sweeten with honey, as a nightcap to aid in sleep. This |
| starting place. Each of these herbs should be used | | | | will help with anxiety, insomnia, and nervous |
| with caution, and under the supervision of a trained | | | | gastrointestinal conditions. Valerian tea is used as a |
| herbalist or holistic doctor. I like Kudzu as an herb | | | | sedative and a muscle relaxant. Valerian seems to |
| because it is very prolific. When used as a tea, it will | | | | work best as a long-term treatment instead of an |
| help relieve tension in the neck and shoulders. It | | | | acute cure. If a patient takes Valerian tea on a daily |
| primarily targets the muscles in the neck and shoulders. | | | | basis he should begin to feel the effects in a couple of |
| The Chinese refer to Kudzu as Ge-Gen. You can find | | | | days and should not use the tea for more that two |
| many references to it in Chinese medicine. Kudzu has | | | | weeks without seeking professional help from a |
| many other applications besides loosening the neck | | | | Holistic healer. There are a few adverse effects of |
| and shoulder muscles; one of these uses is being | | | | Valerian. In large doses or chronic use one may |
| looked at by Harvard Medical as a treatment to | | | | experience stomachache, apathy, mental dullness, or |
| reduce alcohol cravings. Kudzu also contains a number | | | | depression. Some people have experienced anxiety, |
| of useful isoflavones, including daidzein (an | | | | night terrors, and stomachaches. If you experience any |
| anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent), daidzin (a | | | | of these, stop using Valerian and seek profession help. |
| cancer preventative) and genistein (an antileukemic | | | | Using a tea of a ¼ teaspoon to a cup of water |
| agent). | | | | two to three times a day for a week should alleviate |
| Caution: As with all medicinal herbs, Kudzu should only | | | | most pain. Recipe: Using a tea ball that you can get |
| be used under the supervision of a qualified Herbalist | | | | from almost any health food or grocery store, put |
| or Holistic practitioner, especially where coronary | | | | about a ¼ teaspoon of kudzu and a ¼ |
| concerns are present. The Chinese have used Kudzu | | | | teaspoon of valerian together and let it steep in just |
| Root for Angina (an irregular heart beat) as part of | | | | below boiling hot water for about 5 minutes. Add some |
| modern medicine. However DO NOT treat yourself for | | | | honey to taste to sweeten and enjoy the relaxed |
| a heart condition; see your doctor. | | | | feeling. |
| A word of warning about planting Kudzu in your | | | | If you are carrying a lot of stress in your neck try a |
| garden: DON'T. It will take over your garden, house, | | | | ¼ teaspoon of Skullcap in a tea ball in not quite |
| yard, and in one case I saw the person's car was | | | | boiling water for about 5 minutes. Caution: Pregnant |
| covered. Kudzu has been known to grow at a rate of | | | | women or women planning on becoming pregnant in |
| 1 foot a day up to 60 feet in a single growing season. | | | | the near future should NEVER use skullcap as it might |
| Once it is established there is no way to get rid of it. It | | | | induce a miscarriage. Pregnant women should never |
| thrives on some herbicides. There are many | | | | handle this herb in any form. |
| commercial herbal mixtures and powders available, so | | | | I have observed in making teas that less is often |
| you do not need to grow your own. | | | | better; by that I mean if you put too much herb in a tea |
| Passion flower tea is great for relaxation. You can get | | | | ball, water is not able to flow through and you don't get |
| many commercial preparations of this as a tea at you | | | | as strong a tea as you might otherwise get. Again as |
| local health food store or co-op. passion flower tea is | | | | with all medicines both traditional and alternative you |
| most commonly used for its ability to calm the central | | | | should consult a trained professional before starting |
| nervous system. Like benzodiazepines and other | | | | any new health regiment. The information presented |
| herbs, the passion flower increases the levels of | | | | here is to help you make a better decision on your |
| gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter. | | | | own health care. I believe that each one of us is |
| Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages | | | | responsible for our own health and the only way to do |
| from nerve cells to other cells. It decreases the activity | | | | that is to be better informed. |