Valerian officinalis occupies a leading position among a large number of medicinal plants. It is also popularly called cat root, mountain grass or millennial pink. A perennial plant belongs to the valerian family. Most often, it grows on forest edges, mountain slopes, in forests, near swamps and river banks. Valerian can be easily found in Russia, the Far East and Eastern Siberia.
Description and chemical composition
The herbaceous plant has a specific smell and a unique chemical composition. The peculiarity of Valerian officinalis is the presence of a vertical, short and thick rhizome, around which a huge number of roots are concentrated; erect, furrowed, inside a hollow stem and rosette, petiolate young leaves. The flowers of the plant are small inflorescences collected in a bunch. They are pale pink, white, pale purple in color. As a result, the fruit grows in the form of a ribbed oblong ovoid flying achene with a tuft.
Flowering begins already in the second year of life of Valerian officinalis and begins in June. The roots of the plant, which are widely used in the field of medicine, are considered the most healing.
Due to its unique chemical composition, valerian has a magical effect on the human body. The plant consists of the following components:
- alkaloids – hatinine, actinidine, valerin, etc .;
- essential oil;
- valeric and isovaleric acid;
- tannins;
- organic acids;
- enzymes and saponins.
In addition, the plant contains pinene, camphene, sugar, valepotriates, macro- and microelements.
The healing properties of the plant
Valerian-based preparations have various beneficial properties and are prescribed even to young children. Medicines from the plant tidy up the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract, reduce the excitability of the central nervous system and relax smooth muscle spasms. A member of the valerian family is taken as a sedative, anti-inflammatory and hypnotic. Preparations made from a herbal plant have the following effects:
- reduce pressure;
- dilate blood vessels;
- relieve spasms of venous vessels;
- normalize the thyroid gland.
Valerian drug is prescribed for pneumonia, convulsions, pain in the heart, asthma, hysteria, palpitations, migraines, mental disorders, epileptic seizures, fright, as well as insomnia and disorders during menopause.
Tinctures based on the plant are prescribed for children with a nervous breakdown and fright (the dosage is set depending on age). Also, valerian remedies perfectly treat diseases of the digestive system, improve appetite and are used for diseases of the bile ducts, liver and gallbladder.
Medicinal valerian is used to make enemas that help cure dysentery and get rid of worms. The plant is also taken as a preventive measure.
Contraindications for use
It is important to understand that long-term use of valerian is contraindicated for absolutely all people. Improper use of the drug can lead to disruption of the digestive system, as well as headaches, nausea, and agitation. It is not recommended to use valerian for hypertensive patients and pregnant women. In addition, people with chronic enterocolitis are contraindicated in the use of drugs that contain a medicinal plant.
