Folk Healing Lessons: A Pain in the Neck Journey

Hey friend 👋 Let’s talk about folk healing—the kind that involves a little intuition, a lot of plant support, and sometimes, just a hot shower.

This week’s lesson came from some seriously annoying neck pain. The kind that creeps in and overstays its welcome. So, I did what any herbally-inclined human would do: I started experimenting.

Step One: Passionflower

I kicked things off with passionflower tincture. It helped… a little. Passionflower is lovely for nervous tension, but this pain was putting up a fight.

Step Two: Mugwort + Chamomile Tea

Next, I brewed a strong tea with mugwort, chamomile, and a touch of peppermint. I went heavy on the mugwort because it’s a natural muscle relaxer (among other magical things). This mix helped a bit more—so we were on the right track.

Step Three: The Big Guns—Valerian Root

Finally, I brought out the heavy hitter: valerian root tincture. Tinctures are potent, and this one really got things moving.

Quick Tincture How-ToA tincture is made by steeping herbs in high-proof alcohol (or vegetable glycerin for alcohol-free versions) for 4–6 weeks. It pulls out the plant’s medicinal properties and gives you a shelf-stable, high-powered remedy you can drop into tea or take directly. Simple, but slow.

A Note on Valerian

Valerian is amazing, but use it with care. It can cause heart palpitations in some people because of how it interacts with the nervous system and certain neurotransmitters—think overstimulation or irregular rhythms. Always check in with your body and your healthcare provider before diving into this one.

That said, when used with respect, valerian can be a huge help—not just for sleep, but for muscular pain, especially in stubborn areas like the neck.

The Final Piece: Water & Movement

Even with valerian, I wasn’t 100% there. So I jumped in a hot shower and let the water run over my neck. Followed it up with some light stretching, and that finally helped release the last of the tension.

The Takeaway?

Sometimes the fanciest remedy isn’t the one that works. Sometimes it’s hot water and herbs and listening to your body. That’s what folk healing is all about: common sense, curiosity, and learning what works—one sore neck at a time 😄