home Audience 4 How effective is valerian drops and how is it used? Valerian officinalis root tincture

How effective is valerian drops and how is it used? Valerian officinalis root tincture

Instructions for use of valerian tincture include the following information: over-the-counter drug. But these words cannot be regarded as a call for self-medication. Even the harmless, popular and well-known valerian has a number of contraindications and serious side effects.

The tincture is made from the roots and rhizomes of Valerian officinalis. Excipient - 70% ethanol. The medicine is available in the form of a brown liquid, has strong smell. What is the mechanism of action of valerian officinalis? The drug belongs to the group of sedatives and sleeping pills. It also acts as an antispasmodic and analgesic, and has a tonic and secretory effect. Substances such as borneol and isovaleric acid slow down excitation processes in the central nervous system and relax smooth muscles. Read more about it and its application in our other article.

Indications and contraindications

What are the indications for using valerian tincture?

Neuroses, hysterics, stress, irritability, nervous excitability. For these symptoms, valerian tincture is used first. This one is inexpensive herbal preparation should be in every home medicine cabinet.
Operational disruptions cardiovascular systems s. Valerian - heart drug. It is taken for heart attacks nervous soil, with tachycardia to normalize heart rhythm. The medicine dilates blood vessels well and leads to a decrease in blood pressure. Therefore, it is recommended for hypertension.
Sleep disorders. Valerian is famous for its sedative properties. To normalize sleep, a long course of therapy is recommended.
Diseases of the digestive organs, stomach, intestinal cramps . Despite the fact that valerian is a cardiac drug, it is actively used as an antispasmodic, which relaxes smooth muscles and relieves spasms. The medicine also normalizes the secretion of the stomach and pancreas. He is appointed as aid for diseases of the liver and biliary tract.
Migraine . For persistent headaches, valerian can be taken as a pain reliever. The sedative properties of the medicine also help relieve pain.

What are the contraindications for valerian tincture?

Infancy.
Lactation period.
Pregnancy.
Depressive states, mental disorders.
Individual intolerance to valerian.
Vehicle management.
Working with various mechanisms, requiring concentration.

What side effects may occur?

Long-term use of the tincture leads to inhibited motor reactions, constipation, heartburn, drowsiness, apathy, depression, and decreased performance.
At chronic diseases liver, colon and small intestine exacerbations are possible, so prior consultation with a doctor is necessary before taking it.
There are local allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes, redness, itching.
It is also important to know that valerian enhances the effect of antispasmodic, cardiac, analgesic and hypnotic drugs.

In case of an overdose of valerian tincture, the following symptoms are observed: nausea, vomiting, spasms, dizziness, severe drowsiness, lethargy, hearing and vision impairment, bradycardia (slow heartbeat), headache. If these signs are detected, you need to provide emergency assistance- rinse the stomach, give sorbents. Must be canceled further therapy and apply for medical assistance, taking into account the possibility of individual intolerance to valerian and a severe allergic reaction.

Features of reception and storage

The dosage is determined by the doctor depending on the age, weight, and condition of the patient. What recommendations on the method of use and doses can be seen in the instructions?

Conditions for taking the medicine. Drink before meals. Dilute in a small volume of water.
For adults. It is recommended to take the tincture no more than 4 times a day and no more than 30 drops at a time.
For children . Children are given valerian less often - 2 times a day. The number of drops corresponds to the number of years of the child.

Therapeutic effect

How long does it take for valerian to take effect? In patient reviews, there is often an opinion that valerian infusion does not help at all. The therapeutic effect of the drug does not occur immediately - not after an hour or two, but after a day, or even later. However, compared to valerian extract in tablets, the infusion, due to its alcohol content, is instantly absorbed into the blood and acts faster. Aqueous tincture of valerian, prepared at home, and extract in tablets can be taken for a long time - up to 2 months. Read more about it and its application in our other article. Alcohol tincture gives stable healing effect, if taken for at least 1 week. You should not get carried away with valerian tincture and overdose, but it is also known that too small doses of the medicine will not bring any benefit.

Storage conditions

It is better to store valerian infusion in the refrigerator or in a cool, dark place at a temperature no higher than 15°C. Under influence sunlight the tincture may darken, but does not lose its healing properties. Alcohol infusion for the right conditions shelf life is suitable for 2 years. After using the medicine, you must carefully seal the bottle. It is also important to remember the safety rules: keep the medicine out of the reach of children. An overdose of valerian is dangerous for child's body doubly: alcohol content and sedatives.

Making valerian tincture at home

You can prepare two types of valerian tincture - water-based and alcohol-based.

Water tincture recipe. You need to take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry valerian raw materials and 1 glass of boiling water, leave the decoction in a thermos for 10–12 hours. The finished infusion is taken 1-2 tbsp. spoons at least 3 times a day.
Alcohol tincture recipe. The crushed raw materials are filled with vodka or alcohol solution up to 70%. It is important to observe the proportions: take 5 parts of alcohol solution for 1 part of the raw material. If you take equal parts of raw materials and alcohol, you will get a concentrated tincture (extract). The weaker the alcohol solution, the longer the medicine infuses. The solution is infused in a dark and cool place for 2 weeks. Then you need to strain it and pour it into a dark glass bottle with a tight lid. Use in the following dosage: 25–30 drops 3–4 times a day.

If the infusion does not contain alcohol, it cannot be stored for a long time. Experienced herbalists recommend cooking fresh decoctions valerian, because they will contain more beneficial essential oils.

Tincture for children and nursing mothers

The instructions for valerian tincture indicate: it is prohibited to use the medicine in children under one year of age. But in different sources you can see others age restrictions- up to 3 or even up to 12 years. This is due to the alcohol content in the tincture. Before using valerian in children of any age, you should obtain medical advice.

Can it be used when breastfeeding? IN postpartum period in women there is hormonal surge, which entails emotional imbalance and mood swings. In this situation, the doctor may prescribe a sedative. It's important to know that alcohol solutions prohibited when breastfeeding. Valerian tablets are allowed. They can be taken for 10 days, in the dosage prescribed by the doctor.
What dosage forms of valerian are allowed for children? Water infusions and decoctions of valerian herb will not cause harm to health if the dosage is calculated correctly. Children are recommended to take baths with valerian decoctions before bedtime. They promote relaxation nervous system, improve the quality of night sleep.
Is it possible to give the tincture to infants? This question is often asked by mothers of those babies to whom a neurologist prescribes valerian drops, which contradicts the instructions. In this situation, the doctor takes responsibility by prescribing valerian. Sometimes when the baby is restless, constant colic A non-alcoholic tincture of valerian is used in strong dilution. It is used in combination with anti-colic teas - chamomile and dill.

In older children, valerian is prescribed in the form of tablets and alcohol infusions for neuroses, hyperactivity, frequent headaches, poor appetite, with tachycardia.

Valerian tincture is the herbal preparation of first choice for elevated nervous excitability, stress, insomnia, functional disruptions in the cardiovascular system. Due to its antispasmodic effect, it is also prescribed for spasms in the intestines and stomach.

Valerian herbaceous plant Valerian officinalis has many alternative names, among them quite funny ones related to the aroma - cat's root, aromatic. The name comes from Latin, valere translates as “to be healthy.”

The medicinal effect of the plant was noticed by the ancient Romans and Greeks, its relaxing and relaxing properties were especially valued. It was believed that valerian has a beneficial effect on the brain - “makes the mind clearer,” “strengthens,” “controls thoughts.” The physician and scientist Avicenna had a high opinion of the medicinal plant and recommended it for diseases of the kidneys, heart and digestive system.

Valuable medicinal substances valerian is concentrated in its root. It is to him that valerian owes its famous smell, which cats like so much. A specific aroma appears at the roots as they dry.

The chemical composition of valerian tincture is rich in components that provide a calming effect. It includes:

In what cases is treatment with valerian indicated?

Many are accustomed to turning to valerian for stress, insomnia, emotional exhaustion, increased anxiety and a state of nervous tension. For these conditions, in addition to the standard use of valerian solo, you can prepare a soothing one by including other medicinal tinctures, namely: peony, corvalol, motherwort. The instructions for creating the mix will be to combine the tinctures (except for the Corvalol tincture, you will need 0.5 times less of it) in equal quantities and place it in the refrigerator in a glass container. At night you need to drink 1 dessert spoon of the created mixture, diluting it with water.

The calming and relaxing effect is also important for heart disease. vascular system. Valerian's ability to influence smooth muscle spasms, weakening them, will help with heart pain and increased heartbeat. The product dilates blood vessels, due to which high blood pressure decreases and spasms in the vessels stop. Valerian tincture is often recommended for joint use with other sedatives, antispasmodics and cardiac drugs. To a greater extent, the calming effect of valerian roots is provided by alkaloids and essential oils.

Valerian is able to solve and gastrointestinal problems: the secretory functions of the pancreas and stomach are enhanced under the influence of the drug, bile is better separated. By relaxing smooth muscles, the product relieves abdominal pain.

Thanks to the antimicrobial substances and essential oils it contains, valerian will relieve both adults and children from such a nuisance as worms.

It is important! Before using the tincture, you should visit your doctor and discuss your situation, not forgetting to mention other medications that you are currently taking. Valerian can enhance the effect of other medications (for example, sedatives), and this can be dangerous. Consultation with your doctor should help you choose a dosage that can be combined with other medications.

Rules of application

For those wishing to solve health problems with the help of valerian, it is important to remember how to take it medicine. Since biological substances do not reach the required concentration in the body immediately, but at least after 2 weeks, valerian tincture for effective therapeutic action must be taken over a long period of time.

Adults are advised to divide the tincture into several (3-4) times per day. In this case, 20-30 drops of the product are measured and diluted with water at a time. Without prior consultation with a doctor, a “self-prescribed” course of taking the drug lasts 10 days with a maximum permitted excess of 20 days.

It is important! You can give valerian tincture to children if they are over 12 years old, and the dosage is the number of drops equal to the child’s age.

It is believed that children over 3 years old can be given valerian tincture in water (preparation instructions below) for the following problems:

digestive disorders, abdominal pain, flatulence
problems falling asleep
bile stagnation
stress due to fright
increased fatigue
worms

It is best to store a bottle of tincture in the refrigerator or cool cupboard. The refrigerator compartment extends medicinal period product life up to 5 years. After using the tincture, close the cap of the bottle tightly.

Self valerian

To prepare the tincture, it is best to use those extracted from the ground in the first third of September. Small shoots of the roots need to be cut off, and the roots themselves should be washed and placed to dry in a well-drafted place where sunlight does not penetrate.

It is important! It is believed that only a medicine that has been prepared using roots aged for 2 years will be useful.

Valerian is infused in 70° ethyl alcohol or ordinary water. For each of the recipes, you need to wash the valerian root and grind it (optional - finely chop, grind in a coffee grinder, grate on a fine grater).

We infuse valerian in water: prepare a thermos, fill a tablespoon with the grated mixture, place it in the thermos, pour one glass of boiling water on top. With this method of preparation, the product must be infused for at least 12 hours, after which the tincture must be squeezed out and strained.
We infuse valerian in 70° alcohol: pour valerian into a dark glass bottle and fill with alcohol, and the amount of alcohol taken should exceed the amount of valerian root by 5 times. A carefully closed bottle should stand for 2 weeks in a warm place (access to sunlight is allowed).

The course of treatment with a “homemade” tincture on water is 60 days (maximum duration), you can take a tablespoon of liquid in one approach, the number of doses per day is 3-4.

Self-prepared alcohol tincture of valerian is taken the same number of times a day, but 25 drops are measured each time.

In terms of effectiveness, preference is given to alcohol. One of the advantages of water is that it is allowed for pregnant women and children over three years old.

Contraindications and side effects

Do not use valerian in alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding, if you have hypertension, chronic enterocolitis, liver diseases, allergies to components, as well as before activities requiring increased concentration.

Taking more than necessary amounts of valerian-containing products or exceeding the duration can cause apathy, confusion, nausea, tachycardia, depression, drowsiness and gastrointestinal disorders.

If the dose is exceeded, the tincture, like many other medicines, stops healing and begins to harm. Particularly unpleasant symptoms of overdose include:

nausea and heartburn due to increased output Gastric acid
exacerbation of chronic diseases digestive tract
migraines and headaches
deterioration of sleep
bradycardia - slow heart rate

In some people, symptoms of overdose may appear in the first days of the drug. It would be natural to temporarily stop taking valerian or reduce the dose consumed at one time.

Since the calming effect of valerian occurs due to depression of the nervous system, in case of an overdose the depression may be too sharp. The first action in this case should be to try to induce vomiting - let the person drink a couple of glasses warm water, then stimulate vomiting reflex pressing on the root of the tongue with a spoon. If the medicine was taken no more than two hours ago, an ambulance may be called to lavage the stomach.

Affordability

The pharmaceutical version of “valerian” in liquid form involves plants in 70° alcohol. One of the advantages of the product is its availability - the price for a small bottle of 25 ml on average will require a very modest investment - 20 rubles. In addition, you do not need a prescription to purchase the product.

An infusion based on valerian is remedy, which is of plant origin. This drug has a sedative effect, depending on the dosage. The components that make up the infusion calm and relax a person. In addition, valerian is known for effectively combating insomnia without causing negative influence to wake up. But before using it, you should familiarize yourself in detail with the pros and possible disadvantages of the drug.

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Features and dosage

If a person suffers from severe nervous excitability, bad sleep, depression, frequent headaches, then all this indications for use valerian. Extract this tool has a cumulative sedative effect. The effect will become noticeable only if taken systematically.

Most often this drug is purchased in the form tinctures or tablets, where their description is indicated.

Pharmacies sell filter bags containing this medicinal plant for brewing.

The dosage largely depends on the form in which the product was purchased.

For correct use you need instructions for use, which are as follows:

If you have a question about how to drink valerian drops, then you should know that you need to take it 3 times a day before eating (30 minutes before) up to 30 drops at a time, which are diluted with water.
Tablets are considered the most convenient form, but their action is not as fast as in the previous case. 2 tablets should be taken within 30 minutes. before or after eating. This needs to be done 3 times a day. They get drunk plain water. For children, intake is somewhat limited; they are not allowed to drink big tablet at a time.
Valerian root is brewed as follows. To do this, take 1 tbsp. funds for a glass of boiling water. The drink must infuse. To do this, it must be moved 12 o'clock to a warm place.
To make special tea from filter bags, take 6 items, and they are filled with 0.5 tbsp. boiling water After 20 minutes, the bags are wrung out and thrown away, and water must be added to the top of the glass. Take 0.5 tbsp. at a time.

The maximum effect of valerian for relieving stress will be noticeable after some time. Therefore, if a person expects stressful situation, then he should take this drug in any form as soon as possible. Only then will he be able to remain completely calm.

Indications for use

The composition includes roots and rhizomes medicinal plant, which are infused in a 70% alcohol solution. It is not necessary to buy the drug at the pharmacy, because you can make it yourself.

Valerian is taken in such cases:

with increased nervous excitability;
if there is a tendency to hysteria;
during times of excessive anxiety;
in case of neuroses;
for migraines.

Most often it is used as sedative , which helps against increased nervous excitability, inadequate response to stimuli, and exhaustion of the nervous system.

The recipe in this case may look like this. If it is an infusion, then 1 tbsp. three times a day. When taking tablets, it is recommended to take 1 tablet three times a day.

Valerian for sleep is also especially effective. A person who has undergone treatment falls asleep easily and sleeps soundly.

In addition, she is consulted during palpitations, increased blood pressure, which arose due to nervous tension. To normalize muscle tone and in case of gastrointestinal spasms, the tincture will also help.

Benefits and harms

Any remedy has actions that characterize its benefits and harm to humans. First of all, valerian has many positive properties. Its action is gradual. She is effective in such cases:

When a person suffers from insomnia or poor sleep.
In a nervous and hysterical state.
In a state of strong excitability.
In case of spasmodic sensations in the gastrointestinal tract.
During headaches.

Despite the listed actions, valerian tincture also has contraindications. It can cause harm to a person if he takes it incorrectly, since many people forget that it medicine. Therefore, when using it, you should follow the doctor’s recommendations. Otherwise, an overdose will lead to negative consequences.Strictly prohibited tincture for people with chronic enterocolitis.

In addition, valerian infusion Not recommended women who are pregnant or nursing mothers.

The drug should not be used by people with individual intolerance to the components.

For this reason, to avoid any problems, the above contraindications should be taken into account before use.

Most often from long-term use Valerian in drops affects the gastrointestinal tract. If the above dosages are exceeded, the person will feel constant drowsiness and severe weakness.

Sometimes the remedy causes allergies, which manifests itself in the form of redness of the skin, as well as a rash. Often all these symptoms are accompanied by itching. Therefore, during an overdose, the stomach should be rinsed using the usual boiled water. This is done without the use of potassium permanganate. After this, it is important to visit a specialist and get examined.

Overdose

If the medicine is used incorrectly, a person may develop indicators that will indicate about overdose. Among them, the following signs should be highlighted:

After any of the above indicators appear, you should drink as much fluid as possible, cleanse the stomach and drink a few tablets of activated carbon.

Side effects can also appear in a child if the dosage is incorrect.

He may develop symptoms such as drowsiness and depression. The student may experience inattention and absent-mindedness.

Long-term use may cause constipation and other unpleasant symptoms. That's why it is important to follow the instructions in the treatment of both children and adults.

Valerian for children

Valerian is also recommended for children as a sedative. If parents notice that their baby’s sleep is disturbed, then this is the medicine the doctor can recommend. But most often it is used once because of a stressful situation.

Also this medication The doctor may advise in such cases:

neurosis, neurasthenia;
hyperactivity, overexcitation;
decreased appetite;
increased stimulation of the nervous system;
allergic reaction.

Many people are interested in how many drops of valerian should be given to a child for sleep disorders. If the baby is 1 year old, then he needs to be given 1 drop each in a day.

Video: preparing valerian tincture

Conclusion

Thus, valerian is effective way to calm down. But we should not forget that, despite its plant origin, it still has a number of contraindications. Therefore, it is so important to consult a doctor before treatment.

Valerian is one of the most popular, inexpensive and safe sedatives, known since time immemorial. In the roots of this medicinal herb contains more than a hundred active ingredients, providing positive influence on human health. For stress, insomnia, and severe anxiety, use any dosage form valerian, which has a sedative effect.

The medicine is allowed to be given to children if they experience overexcitement, hysterics, or sleep disturbances. The main thing is to know at what age you can use this method of calming a child. Despite its plant origin, valerian is not harmless and has a number of contraindications.

Release forms, composition and effect of the drug

Valerian is available in various dosage forms:

pills;
capsules;
aqueous extract;
alcohol tincture of roots and rhizomes;
squeezed juice of roots and rhizomes.

The most common two forms of the drug: tablets containing 20 mg of the active substance, and a 30% alcohol tincture. You can also find it in pharmacies herbal teas with valerian. Composition of this medicinal product plant origin includes rhizomes and valerian root. Its effect on the body is due to the content of essential oils, part of which is the ester of borneol and isovaleric acid.

The action of valerian is sedative and hypnotic effect. Valerian reduces the excitability of the central nervous system, inhibiting it, slowing down heartbeat, expands blood vessels, accelerates the onset of sleep, relieves spasms muscle tissue. The result comes slowly but steadily, since the drug has a cumulative effect. At long-term use a person's blood pressure decreases and bile production increases.

Indications for the use of valerian

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The drug is used for causeless crying, irritability and insomnia in children, but only after consultation with the pediatrician

Valerian is used both as an independent medicine and in complex therapy conditions such as hysteria, neurasthenia, depression, gastrointestinal spasms. The tablet form is widely used for headaches, sleep disorders, as well as PMS and the onset of menopause. The instructions indicate the following indications for taking valerian:

insomnia;
nervous overexcitation;
migraine;
stressful conditions.

Indications for prescribing valerian to children:

hyperactivity and nervous tension;
decreased appetite;
dizziness and headache;
insomnia or sleep disturbances;
excessive emotionality.

Can a child drink valerian?

It is not recommended to use valerian before the age of three or four. To prescribe this drug to a child younger age there must be good reasons.

From 3-4 years old you can drink valerian in the form of tincture drops. However, you should not give the drug to children simply hoping for fast decision Problems. If something is bothering the baby, he cries a lot, gets nervous, or becomes hysterical - we must, first of all, find out the reason for this behavior (see also:). Perhaps the help of a specialist is needed here.

It is dangerous to give valerian to a child from one to three years old due to the risk of severe allergies. Often this drug causes a reverse reaction from the body, and the child, instead of calming down, on the contrary, becomes even more excited, which leads to psychological and emotional exhaustion.

Is it permissible to give the drug to a baby?

Valerian tablets and tincture are strictly forbidden to be given to infants. The tablets are not recommended for use in young children, since they are not able to chew them, and the tincture contains ethyl alcohol, which is contraindicated for children under one year of age. If the child still needs to be given valerian, the mother should take it and then breastfeed the baby. This way the baby will receive a relatively safe dose of the medicine.

Another way to use medicinal herbs is aromatherapy. A small piece of cotton wool soaked in a tincture or decoction of the plant is placed near the head of the crib. The essential oils contained in the herb evaporate and have a beneficial effect on the baby’s nervous system.

Decoction and essential oil plants can be used for aromatherapy

Dosage of the drug for children

Despite the fact that valerian is a herbal preparation, it should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor and in a strictly prescribed quantity. To obtain a good therapeutic effect, the main thing is to determine correct dosage the drug and take it according to the schedule prescribed by the doctor. The duration of treatment is determined individually, usually it ranges from two weeks to one and a half months. How much valerian can you take at different ages?

Valerian drops

Valerian is prescribed to children aged 1 to 3 years in the form of a tincture, which is dosed in drops. Many doctors do not recommend giving children tincture because great content it contains alcohol, but sometimes the expected effect outweighs the risk negative impact. In any case, the child must be over a year old.

In the instructions for using valerian tincture, children are prescribed to be given one drop per year of life per day. Thus, a child at 2 years old needs only two drops, at three years old - three. Drops are diluted in a teaspoon clean water, because the medicine tastes bitter and has a strong specific odor.

Valerian tablets

Valerian extract in tablets can be given to children from three years of age (see also:). They are taken after meals, without chewing and with a small amount of clean water. They are prescribed in the following dosages:

3-5 years – half a tablet up to three times a day;
5-7 years – one tablet up to three times a day;
from 12 – adult dosage, 1-2 tablets.

Contraindications for use

Despite the fact that valerian is a herbal drug, before you start taking it, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications. The medicine should not be taken in the following conditions:

lactase and sucrase deficiency;
malabsorption of fructose and glucose;
diabetes mellitus (due to the sugar content in the tablet coating);
first trimester of pregnancy (should be weighed possible risks and consult your doctor);
individual intolerance, which may result in the development of an allergic reaction (itching, skin rash, sneezing attacks);
children up to three years of age.

For children infancy Valerian is prescribed for very in rare cases

Overdose symptoms and possible side effects

An overdose of valerian tablets causes bright severe symptoms. Problems appear at work gastrointestinal tract(constipation or diarrhea, nausea). Nervous system disorders also occur, such as lethargy, drowsiness, apathy, or, conversely, excessive stimulation of consciousness, dilated pupils, hyperemia skin. There is an increase blood pressure.

In case of an overdose of tincture, the symptoms are somewhat different:

bradycardia (slow heartbeat);
headaches that mimic migraine;
nausea, heartburn;
exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

When the first signs of overdose appear, you must stop taking the drug and induce vomiting in order to clear the stomach of excess medication (no later than two hours after its use). Then you should go to the hospital.

Analogues of the drug

Available in pharmacies big choice analogues of valerian active substance or method of influence. They differ in manufacturer, dosage, number of pieces per package and price.

Valerian drops are called alcohol tincture valerian. Its main properties, indicated in the instructions for use, are sedative and hypnotic. However, in complex therapy, valerian is used to treat significantly more wide range diseases. It is used for headaches, hypertension, climacteric syndrome, diseases of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and other chronic diseases.

Valerian drops have a recognizable brown color.

The biological activity of the active ingredients of valerian is quite low, so the effect of using drops is observed after 2-4 weeks of treatment. This also applies to sleep problems and nervous tension. After a single dose of the drug there will be no effect. To feel improvement, you need to take valerian for at least 10 days. Its properties appear after the accumulation of a certain amount of active substances in the body.

Despite the fact that valerian drops are produced on the basis of a plant component, they, like any medicine, have contraindications and side effects. Misuse of valerian or overdose can cause drowsiness, depression, headaches, blurred vision or hearing, nervous excitement, trembling hands and increased blood pressure.

The use of valerian must be approached responsibly. For chronic diseases it is used in complex therapy as additional remedy. Valerian does not help in case of emergency, but provides a stable effect with long-term therapy and compliance with the correct dosages.

What is included in valerian drops?

Valerian drops are sold in bottles of 25-30 ml. It contains crushed rhizomes and roots of valerian, as well as ethyl alcohol. The ratio of these components is 1 unit of valerian rhizomes to 5 units of alcohol. The minimum alcohol content in drops is 65%. No other additional components are used in the preparation of the tincture.

The alcohol in the tincture may cause more severe side effects than valerian root

Valerian drops have a natural reddish-brown tint and, during long-term storage, can form sediment at the bottom of the bottle. The photo below shows a bottle of this tincture:

More than 100 different components are isolated in the roots and rhizomes of valerian. The most valuable component is considered to be valerian essential oil (0.5-2% in dried raw materials), which contains valerian-borneol ester, borneol, tannins, isovaleric acid, bicyclic monoterpenes, valerian, saponins, polysaccharides and organic acids.

Valerian has been used for many centuries, but studying it chemical composition continues to this day. During latest research It has been established that the active ingredients of valerian are:

Valepotriates providing antispasmodic action;
Glycosides and borneol, which contribute to the expansion of coronary vessels;
Alkaloids that have a sedative effect;
Essential oils and resins that have a calming effect on the central nervous system;
Organic acids - they provide a choleretic effect.

It is noteworthy that the therapeutic effect is provided only by the general extract from the plant, while individually its ingredients do not have a corresponding effect, or the effect of their use is extremely weak.

An additional substance in the drops is ethyl alcohol. IN small doses it also has vasodilating and hypotensive effects. He is also capable of causing increased drowsiness and inattention.

Product effectiveness

The World Health Organization (WHO) Monograph states that the main pharmacological properties Valerian has mild sedative and hypnotic effects. In the UK and Germany, valerian drops are officially recognized sleeping pills, and in the USA, according to statistics, they are used by 45% of residents with sleep disorders.

At the same time, as a sleeping pill, valerian is very weak and does not help fight severe insomnia.

It is worth noting that the effectiveness of valerian is not observed immediately, but with the accumulation of active substances in the body. Valerian drops have low biological activity, but with long-term therapy they provide a stable effect. Scientific studies have shown that within 14-28 days, 89% of subjects had a reduction in the time they took to fall asleep, and 40% of people suffering from insomnia recovered. normal mode sleep, irritability and emotional tension went away.

Another study was conducted under the leadership of M. Cropley in 2002. It proved the effect of valerian on blood pressure. The subjects took the medicine for a month, after which they underwent a special test. He was supposed to demonstrate how much blood pressure and heart rate would increase during stress. In subjects who took valerian, the indicators increased slightly and remained within normal limits.

The effectiveness of valerian after several weeks of use is also noted for diseases of the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, digestive tract and other pathologies. For example, for hypertension, drops are used in courses of 3-4 weeks with a week break, which allows you to gradually stabilize blood pressure.

When taking it, you need to strictly control the amount of the product and avoid overdose.

In emergency cases, you should not rely on valerian drops. After one dose, they will not provide an effect either in case of stress, or insomnia, or high blood pressure. Hypnotic effect Valerian after a single dose is observed very rarely, and is the exception rather than the rule.

The maximum single dose for an adult is 30 drops or 2 tablets. You shouldn’t drink more if you want to fall asleep or calm down faster, as it may cause reverse effect – nervous excitement or poisoning.

For what diseases is valerian drops used?

Pharmacopoeias indicate that valerian drops are used in complex therapy:

As a mild analogue of synthetic sedatives or an additional agent in the treatment of diseases of the nervous system and sleep disorders;
As a digestive stimulant;
In the treatment of antispasmodic pain in the gastrointestinal tract;
In the treatment of spastic conditions of smooth muscles, for example, with spastic colitis;
For diseases of the liver and biliary tract;
For hypertension;
For coronary circulatory disorders.

These actions of valerian have been confirmed scientific research. However, the drops were used only in complex therapy over long courses.

IN folk medicine valerian found more wide application. It is used to treat:

However, it has no proven effectiveness in these diseases.

Valerian has a complex effect on the body. It reduces the excitability of the central nervous system and reduces spasms of smooth muscle organs, has an inhibitory effect on the midbrain and medulla oblongata systems and increases the functional mobility of cortical processes. Valerian gradually improves the connection between the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures, improving the regulatory functions of the brain.

Due to its effect on the central nervous system, valerian drops have a calming, hypnotic and analgesic effect. Also affecting the central nervous system, valerian indirectly affects the heart and coronary vessels, ensuring their expansion and lowering blood pressure. The same mechanism of action explains the relief of symptoms in other functional diseases.

Valerian also enhances the secretion of the glandular apparatus of the gastrointestinal tract and increases bile secretion, due to which it is used for diseases of the liver, gall bladder and bile ducts.

In the directory medicinal plants It is said that valerian reduces appetite by suppressing the activity of the hypothalamic appetite centers. Therefore, it is also used in the treatment of obesity.

There are also reviews about the use of valerian drops in anthelmintic therapy, for the treatment of infectious and bacterial diseases. However, these properties have not been proven.

As sedative Valerian drops are also given to animals, the most pronounced impact they affect dogs and cats. On the latter, however, valerian has a very stimulating effect at first; cats behave almost inappropriately, but then calm down.

Rules for using the drug

Valerian tincture is recommended for adults to take 20-30 drops 3-4 times a day after meals. The maximum dose per day should not exceed 100 drops. Since valerian drops have a pronounced taste and smell, before use they can be dripped into a cup and diluted with a small amount of clean water, and then washed down with something.

Most often, valerian is used not as an independent medicine, but as part of complex therapy. The dosage, route of administration and duration of treatment should be determined by the attending physician. The result of treatment depends on these three factors. Valerian has a mild effect and its effectiveness appears after 2-4 weeks. At the same time, it is also not worth delaying the course of treatment. After a month you need to take a week break and then continue taking it. Valerian, according to the instructions, is not addictive, but breaks between courses are needed to prevent an overdose.

The components of valerian accumulate in the body, which provides a slow but stable effect. If you accidentally missed one dose during use, you do not need to drink an extra portion later. A single omission will not affect the results of treatment in any way.

It is not recommended to give the tincture to children under 12 years of age. However, doctors sometimes prescribe 1 drop of valerian for children over 3 years of age for 1 year of life, 2-3 times a day. To calm hyperactive children or for sleep problems, it is sometimes recommended to take baths with valerian. Add 3-4 drops of medicine to 2-4 liters of water. Although valerian seems completely harmless, you should not give the medicine to a child, especially an infant, on your own, as there is a risk of side effects.

Before using the tincture, you need to check the expiration date. It is better to throw out expired valerian; such medicine will not be useful. With time active ingredients but lose their properties. If the drops look cloudy or have an inappropriate color, they should not be used either. You cannot die from valerian, but the risk of side effects in such cases is very high. It is also not recommended to use valerian as the main medicine for the treatment of any disease due to its low effectiveness; it will not help you recover completely.

Overdose: in what doses drops can be dangerous

An adult can drink up to 100 drops of valerian during the day. This maximum dose. For a child, it is equal to the sum of three single doses, corresponding to 1 drop per 1 year of life. That is, if the child is 10 years old, the one-time norm is 10 drops, and the maximum is 30 drops per day. Valerian should not be given to children under 3 years of age.

Due to the alcohol content, valerian tincture begins to act faster than tablets. Overdose can occur even after a single use. However, most often it occurs when long-term treatment when the patient takes the medicine for more than a month and does not take breaks. They are needed so that the accumulated active ingredients of valerian are removed from the body. If this does not happen, they continue to accumulate, which leads to poisoning and the development of serious complications.

Symptoms of an overdose of valerian drops are:

Drowsiness, apathy, increased fatigue, inattention, depression;
Dizziness, loss of consciousness;
Nervous overexcitation, trembling hands, dilated pupils;
Sleep disorders, insomnia;
Increased blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, bradycardia;
Headache;
Deterioration of hearing or vision;
Deterioration of the digestive process, constipation;
Heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Side effects from taking valerian can be the same as the symptoms that the drug is trying to eliminate.

In case of an overdose of valerian, it is usually enough to stop taking the drug so that the symptoms go away and the condition stabilizes. If signs of poisoning are observed, the body must be detoxified. To do this, you can drink a lot of pure or mineral water without gas (more than 2 liters per day), you can also drink enterosorbents.

On a note

Poisoning can be caused by both valerian itself and the alcohol included in the product. Regardless of the cause of intoxication, its symptoms will be approximately the same.

Although lethal dose Valerian has not been determined; it is not worth taking more than the norm. The effectiveness of the medicine depends on the duration of the course of treatment, and not on the amount taken drug at once.

If an adult or child has drunk half or a whole bottle of valerian tincture, you should immediately consult a doctor. The hospital will perform gastric lavage, which will reduce the risk of complications.

Possible side effects of valerian

Valerian is well tolerated and rarely causes side effects. Usually, they appear only when there is an overdose of the drug or an allergy to its components. In these cases, drowsiness, muscle lethargy, lethargy and inattention may occur. Also, valerian can sometimes cause the opposite effect and, instead of reducing blood pressure, on the contrary, increase it or instead sedative effect provide stimulating.