Surely in every home medicine cabinet there is Valerian. Instructions for use indicate an extensive list of symptoms in which this medicine is in demand. Some relieve nervous strain in themselves and children, others use it as a means of promoting sound sleep, and others relieve stress with it.
However, many treat the drug as a harmless weed that does no harm. But according to pharmacists, such an opinion is fundamentally wrong. Before use, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the indications, understand the form of release and know the permitted dosage depending on the problem and the age of the patient.
Pharmacological features
Valerian is available in the form of tinctures and tablets. Instructions for use states that the indications for both forms are the same. Only the dosage regimen and dosage vary.
The main component of the drug is valerian extract. Auxiliary ingredients are also present, but they have no effect on pharmacology.
Impact
People noticed the properties of valerian for a long time. Initially, it was used in its natural form, and only later did the pharmaceutical industry learn to make drugs on its basis. Our grandmothers also knew that the remedy calms well, relieves excessive anxiety, guarantees quick falling asleep and a quiet sleep, and also helps to cope with excitement. But not only valerian possesses such properties. Instructions for use provide a list of the effects of the drug:
- Valerian has a direct effect on the nervous system, causing its inhibition;
- after taking a tincture or tablet form of the medicine, the heart rate slows down and the blood vessels expand;
- muscle tissue of the excretory system relaxes.
It should be noted that with prolonged use, the cumulative effect is affected. In this case, blood pressure decreases and increased production of bile occurs.
Why take
You can often hear how a nervous person is advised to drink valerian to calm down. However, uncontrolled intake can provoke side effects and not lead to the desired result. It is necessary to correctly use valerian. Indications for use are indicated in the instructions. But many consider the annotation for this drug to be a waste of time. Therefore, you should remember why and in which cases you can take the drug.
Nervous excitement
It should be noted that the reception with any excitement and excitement will lead to a negative effect. The body is able to cope with a nervous shock if it passes within the medical norm and the heart rate, coupled with the pressure, does not go off scale.
The reason for the use of a sedative is a strong psychological stress. If a person can not calm down after meditation, a series of deep breaths, exhalations, and even sleep does not help. In this case, it is worth taking the medicine.
Migraine Reception
Valerian tincture is often used for severe migraines and is considered a panacea for other headaches. It is believed that migraines are somehow related to nerves, and many are trying to treat the disease with sedatives. However, doctors warn that such a headache is associated with multiple systems in the body and often does not proceed according to the average scenario. With migraine, valerian may help, but it should be prescribed by your doctor. In addition, the drug will be only a part in complex therapy.
Use for insomnia
Valerian is often recommended for faster falling asleep and deep sleep. Instructions for use indicate this option, but first you need to understand the root cause of the problem. Difficulties with sleep can signal quite serious problems, so the use of the drug should not become a habit. If insomnia has become the norm, then the reception should be stopped and consult a doctor to find out the essence of the problem. However, there is an opinion of some experts that the drug has no effect on sleep quality at all.
Heart problems
The older generation constantly has at hand valerian tablets. Pills are taken with vegetovascular dystonia. Doctors confirm its effect on the symptoms that accompany this disease. But the reception should be agreed with the doctor and be part of the general therapy.
Specialists often prescribe valerian extract for heart disease and related gastrointestinal tract. The drug relieves spasms and soothes the overstressed nervous system. But it is worth considering that it is not the main medicine, but is considered only a part of the general purpose.
When Reception Denied
Valerian extract is underestimated by many and considered harmless weed. But in order to tidy up the nervous system with the help of this tool, it is necessary to take into account multiple contraindications. The instructions, which must be attached, indicate the following:
- sucrose and lactase deficiency;
- fructose intolerance ;
- a history of malabsorption;
- age up to three years.
Valerian during pregnancy is allowed, but the first trimester is excluded, when all the organs and systems of the baby are laid. Also, the drug may have individual intolerance and hypersensitivity. Sometimes people don’t even tolerate the smell of a remedy. Allergic rashes, itching, and sneezing may occur. It is because of the pungent odor that valerian during pregnancy is recommended to be used only in tablets and for good reasons.
Use in childhood
Valerian is prescribed to children only after three years. But, even if the baby is already older, only doctor's prescriptions can be indications for admission. Independent decision-making on the treatment of a child with valerian is strictly prohibited.
The specialist can recommend the drug in combination with others for some neuropsychic diseases in a child. Just to calm it is not used. To do this, there are safer and milder products designed specifically for small patients.
Proper dosing
Most people are used to the standard dosage. It is believed that valerian in tablets is taken 3-4 times a day for 3 pills. If this is an extract, then it is necessary to drip 30-40 drops into the water. But doctors warn that the usual three-time intake of such an amount can lead to an overdose.
The instruction warns that the daily dose for an adult should not exceed 200 mg of the drug. If you exceed the norm, then side effects are inevitable.
Sometimes in reviews there are opinions that a couple of tablets or 30 drops do not help, and people increase the dosage. However, in order to achieve the effect of taking it, you do not need to exceed the amount of medicine you drink, but you should consult a doctor for an individual appointment.
A standard valerian tablet contains 20 mg of active substance. Therefore, it is easy to calculate that the maximum number of pills that can be taken per day is 10 pieces. All experts agree that a single dose and their number per day should be developed separately in each case.
Recommendations from the instructions
It is not always possible to go to a specialist for an appointment, so it is important to carefully read the instructions. It provides general recommendations:
- If you urgently need to put your nerves in order and calm down (for example, before an important meeting or exam), then take 5 tablets once. If tincture of valerian is used, then 40 drops should be instilled.
- To stabilize the nervous state, the drug is taken in a course. In this case, you must take two pills three times a day. When taking tinctures - 35 drops, also three times a day.
- Children after seven years of age are prescribed half a tablet once a day. Moreover, tincture is not used in their treatment.
- Sometimes doctors can recommend a baby from 4 years old to valerian. In this case, you need 1/4 dragee.
Duration of admission is also specified at the doctor’s appointment. Nevertheless, valerian has a cumulative effect. Reviews indicate that the reception was palpable, it takes at least 10 days at a standard dosage. But doctors warn that the maximum duration should not be more than 30 days. It happens that the specialist prolongs the course, but then the patient is under complete medical supervision.
Unpleasant symptoms
Not harmless weed is valerian. Contraindications have already been considered. But even if you take the product strictly on the recommendation and do not exceed the dosage, side effects may occur. Consult a doctor if the following is observed:
- constant drowsiness is felt;
- noticeable decrease in performance;
- trembling and weakening of muscle strength (everything falls from the hands);
- inhibited reaction (the patient slowly thinks, speech is sluggish and prolonged);
- the occurrence of constipation.
Doctors emphasize that even one negative symptom is a reason to stop taking and consult a doctor. Also, allergies can develop on valerian, especially in the form of tincture, even if there were no such problems before.
Overdose problems
Judging by the reviews, an overdose of the drug is quite real. Symptoms are pronounced. The instructions indicate the following symptoms:
- nausea occurs, digestive disorders (uncontrolled diarrhea or persistent constipation) are observed;
- the nervous system suffers primarily (lethargy, drowsiness, apathy, dizziness, depression, loss of consciousness);
- on the contrary, excessive excitability may appear, the pupils dilate, red spots appear on the face;
- if there are no cases of overdose, then the pressure decreases, otherwise it rises sharply.
It is worth noting that an overdose of tincture causes several other side effects. Among them are the following:
- persistent headache similar to migraine;
- fixed slow heartbeat;
- constant nausea appears, the patient suffers from heartburn;
- with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, their aggravation occurs.
First aid for overdose
In the case of tincture, an excess of the dose can occur already the first time. Therefore, you need to know what to do in case of an unforeseen situation:
- completely stop taking;
- drink a large amount of water and mechanically induce vomiting;
- after this, you should call an ambulance, whose doctors will wash the stomach and introduce special drugs that reduce the signs of poisoning;
- first aid should be provided no later than two hours after the first symptoms are detected;
- if the condition does not improve, then you can not refuse hospitalization.
A rather potent drug is valerian. Reviews indicate that you should not underestimate its impact. This is especially true of the tincture release form.
Reviews of the sedative effect of valerian
Many people note that the effect of valerian occurs quite quickly. Sometimes one tablet is enough for nerves to get in order, and thoughts to recover. At the same time, tincture has a strong sleeping pill effect, and one tablet leads to a quiet sleep.
Valerian can be used during pregnancy. According to reviews, it relieves tachycardia attacks well. In this case, only the first trimester is a contraindication. But in this case, tablets are recommended.
However, abuse the drug is also not worth it. Often people complain of drowsiness, lethargy, and weakening concentration. In the case of children, you need to focus only on the appointment of a doctor. The drug has a strong effect on the fragile nervous system of the child.