Valerian Officinalis - Medicinal Properties, Benefits, Contraindications

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Valerian officinalis

Instructions for use:

1. 1. Chemical composition
2. 2. Useful properties
3. 3. Indications for use
4. 4. Contraindications
5. 5. Home remedies from valerian

Prices in online pharmacies:

from 80 rubles.

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Valeriana officinalis (cat grass) is a tall (up to 1.5–2 m) herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Valeriana, subfamily Valerian, cultivated to meet the need for medicinal raw materials, is cultivated on plantations. The native land of the plant is the Mediterranean. Distributed in temperate and subtropical zones, including almost the entire European part of Russia. It grows in lowland and boggy meadows, grassy bogs, peat bogs, the banks of reservoirs, forest glades and forest edges, in thickets of bushes. The roots of plants and rhizomes are used as medical raw materials for the manufacture of medicines.

Chemical composition

The roots and rhizomes of Valerian officinalis contain up to 2–3.5% of essential oil with a specific valerian odor, from yellow to light brown. Valerian oil contains: borneol, bornilisovalerianate, sesquiterpenes, isovaleric acid, pinene, terpineol, valepotriates, triterpene glycosides, tannins, free valerenic and valeric acids, free amines and organic acids (palmitic, stearic, malic, acetic). …

Beneficial features

Medicines made from valerian act on the body as follows:

1. They have a sedative effect, calming the nervous system, reducing its excitability, reducing irritability, anxiety, excitement.
2. Reduces the tone of smooth muscles of internal organs and blood vessels, in particular, smooth muscles of the digestive tract (gastrointestinal tract) and urinary system.
3. Expand blood vessels, relieving spasms, lowering pressure, having a positive hypotensive and dilating coronary vessels effect on the cardiovascular system.
4. Show choleretic effect, increasing the secretion of bile and promoting its release into the digestive tract.

Indications for use

Valerian roots and rhizomes collected in late autumn or early spring are used as medicinal raw materials, which are thoroughly cleaned, washed and dried. Collect rhizomes and roots of wild plants, as well as cultivated ones.

In folk medicine and as a medicinal raw material, valerian is used in the manufacture of drugs for therapy / prevention: hypertension, increased nervous excitability, insomnia, cardiac neurosis, spasms of blood vessels, hysteria, spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, renal / hepatic colic, migraines, rush of blood to the head (especially in women in menopause), thyroid diseases, hyperthyroidism, neurodermatitis.

In addition, the rhizomes and roots of the plant are included in many gastric and sedative preparations.

It should be borne in mind that the sedative effect of valerian drugs comes slowly, but is quite stable. The use of the plant in combination with hypnotic and sedative drugs, as well as antispasmodics, enhances their effect. The funds obtained by the extraction of valerian raw materials (tinctures / alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic extracts, extracts) have a weak hypotensive effect due to prolonged systematic use.

Taking valerian drugs, you should be careful when driving and engaging in potentially hazardous activities.

Contraindications

Most patients tolerate treatment with valerian medicinal preparations well, but with hypertension, the opposite to the sedative effect is an exciting effect and sleep disturbance with heavy dreams.

Absolute contraindications to valerian therapy are:

• children's age up to 3 years;
• chronic enterocolitis;
• increased individual sensitivity to the plant.

Since valerian drugs can increase blood clotting, elderly patients should take them with caution, especially if they are at risk of heart attack or stroke.

It is also necessary to take into account such adverse reactions observed as a result of taking valerian medicinal: drowsiness, depression, decreased performance, in case of prolonged use - constipation, occasionally - hypersensitivity reactions.

Valerian home remedies

• infusion of rhizomes and roots: pour 10 g of dried rhizomes and roots with a glass (200 ml) of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 15 minutes, then insist for 2 hours, then strain. Take for insomnia, palpitations, vegetative neuroses, vomiting 1-2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day;
• broth dry rhizomes and roots: 10 g of crushed dried material into particles not longer than 3 mm, pour 1 ¹ / ₂ cups (300 ml) of water at room temperature, heated for an hour in a water bath, then cooled. Take for treating vegetative neurosis, seizures, insomnia, and during all kinds of experiences, nervous shocks at ¹ / ₂ cup 3 times a day;
• decoction of fresh roots: cook as a decoction of dry rhizomes and roots, the proportion of raw materials to water is 1: 5. Accept with vegetative neurosis, neurasthenia, insomnia by ¹ / ₂ cup 3 times a day;
• infusion of roots (1): pour 1 tablespoon of chopped roots with a glass (200 ml) boiling water, leave in a thermos for 8 hours, strain. Take for tachycardia and chronic disorders of the coronary circulation, 3 times a day for the first 2 weeks on the ¹ / ₃ cup, the next 2 weeks to 2 tablespoons, then 1 month to 1 tablespoon, then make a one month break and repeat the course;
• infusion of roots (2): pour 1 dessert spoon of chopped roots with a glass (200 ml) of boiling water, leave under the lid for 6-8 hours, drain. Take for neuroses of the heart, eczema, urticaria, psoriasis, neurodermatitis as a sedative, 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day;
• infusion roots (3): 1 teaspoon pour cup roots (200 ml) boiling water, 1 ¹ / ₂ chasa warming on a water bath, cool, filter and pour the boiled water to a volume of 1 cup. Take for migraines, gastrointestinal spasms, painful menstruation, menopause difficult runs for ¹ / ₂ cup of warm infusion for the night (sweetened with honey portion of the evening) and in the morning.

Valeriana officinalis: prices in online pharmacies

Drug name Price Pharmacy

Essential oil Valerian medicinal essential oil 10 ml 1 pc. RUB 80 Buy

Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!