Valerian - Useful Properties And Uses Of Valerian. Valerian During Pregnancy, Valerian Tincture For Children. Valerian Root

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Valerian

Useful properties and use of valerian, valerian tincture for children

Valerian officinalis

Valerian is a plant that contains essential oil in its roots and rhizome. Valerian officinalis also includes elements such as borneol, alkaloids, hatinine, sesquiterpene, valerian borneol ester, valerin, malic and formic acids, as well as saponins, valerid glycoside, trace elements, tannins and resinous substances, all sorts of sugars and free isovaleric acid.

At the beginning of the autumn period, or rather at the very beginning of September, the rhizomes of valerian officinalis are dug up, after which they are treated from dirt, cleaned of small, useless shoots for further use and washed. After the rhizomes of the plant are cleaned, they are dried. A person uses valerian roots, which have reached two years old, for the preparation of medicines. Why should the plant reach exactly two years of age? Because during this period, valerian roots contain the greatest amount of beneficial internal ingredients that have unique healing properties.

During the period when the rhizomes are at the drying stage, they acquire an aroma that is quite specific for medicinal plants. And this happens due to bornyl-isovaleric acid, which is contained in the chemical composition of valerian.

Valerian is most often used (one might say, it is even intended for medicinal purposes) for such ailments as flatulence, migraine, hysteria, spasms of the esophagus and its cardiac region, disorders of the central nervous system, chronic coronary circulation disorders, as well as secretory disorders activity of the gastrointestinal tract, pain in the heart of a functional nature, palpitations, extrasystoles. The plant is successfully used in the treatment of tachycardia and constipation.

Useful properties of valerian

Valerian translated from Latin (valere) means "to be healthy." It is valerian with a miraculous root that is known as a plant that gives strength. The herb has a calming, analgesic, sedative effect. It is an excellent antidepressant, an excellent remedy for insomnia. Valerian roots contain polysaccharides, tannins, essential oil, alkaloids, glycosides.

The plant contains organic acids such as formic, acetic, malic, stearic and palmitic. Present - and this is inherent only in the valerian root - valepotriates, bicyclic sesquiterpenes, mertinol, ketones, baldrinal, pyrill-a-methyl ketone. And, of course, valerian contains a large amount of various vitamins, micro- and macroelements.

Valerian use

Valerian was used as a medicinal plant by philosophers in ancient Greece. Dioscorides believed that valerian was able to control thoughts, and Pliny the Elder assured that she makes the mind clearer. They recommended the plant to eliminate the consequences of nervous experiences and stress, and treated epilepsy with it.

The medicinal root must be taken for a long time to achieve a positive effect on the body: gradually accumulating, useful substances saturate organs and tissues with vitamins and other elements. The therapeutic effect of valerian is due to its tonic and choleretic effect, the root reduces the excitability of the central nervous system, promotes relaxation of smooth muscles. taking valerian - a well-known heart drug - affects not only the cardiovascular system, but is also useful for increasing the secretion of the gastrointestinal tract.

Migraine, hysteria, hypertension, tachycardia are among the diseases, the therapeutic effect of valerian on which has been tested in practice. Spasmodic manifestations and dysfunctions of blood vessels and organs of the digestive system, renal and hepatic colic also lend themselves to the therapeutic effects of this plant. With the use of valerian, diseases of the thyroid gland, liver and biliary tract, hyperthyroidism and hot flushes to the head during menopause are more easily tolerated and treated.

Valerian tincture

To prepare a tincture of valerian, you need to take one tablespoon of the crushed roots of this plant, pour it into a thermos and pour a glass of boiling water, after which the agent is left to infuse overnight or for 12 hours, regardless of the time of day. You need to drink this tincture one tablespoon 3 or 4 times a day. If you have high excitability, then the tincture should be drunk 3 times for 1/3 cup. The course of taking valerian should not exceed more than 2 months in time.

If, after a two-month period of taking valerian, you are not satisfied with the result of treatment, or if you want to get a quick effect, use an alcohol-based valerian tincture.

Due to alcohol, the tincture acts instantly - at least, the result of taking alcohol tincture, in contrast to the valerian extract, is noticeable faster. The difference between these two forms of the drug lies only in the time during which valerian will act on the body.

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Note that not everyone can take valerian. Someone just can't stand it. Even the smell of valerian can be confusing.

Now let's talk about the beneficial properties of valerian tincture. Its use leads to soothing, relieving spasms of the smooth muscles of the digestive and excretory organs, activating digestion and expanding blood vessels, and also dispels bile and lowers blood pressure.

Be aware that consuming valerian tincture will make you sleepy. These signs are not immediately noticeable, but you may notice them after completing the course of using valerian for medicinal purposes.

Valerian can bring you some relief, even if you are suffering from a disease such as vegetative dystonia, if you have hysteria or migraine attacks. In all these cases, valerian can act as a kind of pain reliever and sedative.

Application of valerian tincture

In childhood (up to three years), in no case should you use valerian tincture! Make sure this medication is out of reach and out of the reach of children. And from three years old, children can be given one drop of medicine for each year of life. But for adults, valerian tincture can be taken three or four times a day, twenty to thirty drops, no more!

Occurs with the use of valerian and overdose, the consequences of which entail constipation and disorders of the nervous system. Also, in allergy sufferers, valerian can cause allergic reactions. It is also undesirable to use the plant for women who are in the period of pregnancy or lactation.

Valerian for some time after taking it noticeably dulls such a very important quality as a reaction. In this case, keep in mind that if your activity is associated with danger and increased attention, then it is better not to use valerian. Be careful, because not only your life depends on you, but also those around you, and if you do not react in time, a disaster can happen!

We recommend keeping the alcoholic tincture in a cool place, but not in a warm place. It will be better if you put the valerian vial in a dark cabinet, or even better, in the refrigerator. In the refrigerator, valerian retains its medicinal properties for a period of five years! Why should valerian be in a dark place? Because the sun's rays will cause the valerian tincture to darken. After using the valerian tincture, remember to close the bottle tightly.

Valerian extract

Valerian extract is available in film-coated tablets. One such tablet contains exactly 0.02 grams of thick valerian extract. Also, this tablet contains starch, talc, gelatin and basic magnesium carbonate. What is the difference between tincture and valerian extract? The difference is that valerian extract is only taken from the age of four. Children from four to seven years old are recommended no more than one tablet per day, from seven years old - one or two tablets three times a day. And for adults - two tablets are stable 3-4 times a day. The treatment time with valerian in both adults and children is the same - three full weeks.

Valerian extract is used in the same cases as tincture.

Valerian extract and tincture can be purchased in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.

Valerian to children

Valerian has the ability to increase bile secretion and normalize digestion. It has many advantages, but the herb is not recommended for children under the age of three. It is advisable, before giving children a decoction or tincture of valerian as a medicine, to find out the individual tolerance. The smell of valerian is one of the components of the healing effect. If the child cannot fall asleep for a long time, is alarmed by something, then you can hang a bag with dry plant roots over the bed: volatile substances will calm down - and sleep will be sound.

Young children are shown valerian remedies for rapid physical and mental fatigue. This natural remedy is suitable for taking baths, after which there is relaxation and rejuvenation. Valerian therapy is prescribed for children with disorders of the digestive organs. The water infusion assists in diseases of the bile ducts and gallbladder. Cleansing enemas can eliminate abdominal pain, bloating. Essential oils and substances with antimicrobial action will help get rid of worms.

Valerian root

Valerian root is very beneficial due to calcium, iodine, iron and many other ingredients. It is used for low blood clotting, edema, predisposition to hypertension. Powder from the roots is taken for headaches, scarlet fever, nervous diseases (1-2 grams 3-4 times a day, washed down with water).

Tincture from the root: 2.5 tablespoons of raw materials must be poured with hot water, heated in a water bath for 15 minutes, insisted for 45 minutes, drain. After that, add boiled water to an amount equal to the original volume. It is recommended to take the remedy in 2-3 tablespoons half an hour after meals.

Decoction from the root: 2 teaspoons of raw materials should be poured with a glass of cold water, boiled for 5 minutes, drain. Directions for use: Dilute 2-3 tablespoons of the broth in a glass of water and take twice a day.

Water tincture of valerian: 1 teaspoon of crushed roots is required to insist in a glass of boiling water for 2-3 hours, strain and drink 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.

Tincture on alcohol: you need to pour the crushed root with alcohol in a ratio of 1: 4, insist in a dark place for a week, strain and drink 15-30 drops, diluting in half a glass of water, 3 times a day.

Contraindications to the use of valerian

Hypersensitivity to valerian. You need to be careful about the dosage when taking funds for pregnant and lactating women.

The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist

Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).