Valeriana sambucifolia (Valeriana sambucifolia); valerian elderberry
A perennial herbaceous plant of the valerian family. Rhizome – with aerial shoots that take root at the end. The stem is erect, ribbed, bare, 60–150 cm tall. The leaves are oddly pinnate; stem – with 4–5 pairs of broad-lanceolate or lanceolate lateral leaves, basal – with 1–3 pairs of large broad-oval leaves, which are large-toothed at the edges, bare or below along the veins – with scattered short bristles. The flowers are bisexual, irregular, small, pink, in a corymbose inflorescence. The fruit is a seed. Blooms in June – July.
Distribution . It occurs in the Carpathians along the banks of rivers, in wet places, shaded rocks.
Procurement and storage . The rhizome with roots (Rhizoma cum radicibus Valerianae) is used. Collected in autumn after ripening of fruits or in early spring. Excavated rhizomes are freed from the aerial part, thick ones are split into 2–4 parts and quickly washed with cold water. First, the raw materials are laid out in the open air in a layer of 15 cm for preliminary drying for one to two days. Then it is dried under tents, spreading it in a thin layer (up to 5–7 cm), or in a dryer at a temperature of 35°. 25% of dry raw material is obtained. The shelf life is 3 years. Raw materials are sold by pharmacies.
Chemical composition . The rhizome and roots contain essential oil (0.5–2%), free isovaleric acid and borneol, borneol esters with acids (butyric, formic, acetic, and others), terpenoids (camphene, limonene, myrtenol, pinene, terpineol, etc.), alkaloids valerine and chatinine (in fresh raw materials), actinidine alkaloid (in the form of hydroxyphenylethyl salt), valeride glycoside, tannins and sugars. The main component of the essential oil is the ester of borneol alcohol and isovaleric acid.
Pharmacological properties and use. Valerian elderberry preparations reduce excitability and increase the functional activity of the central nervous system, regulate heart activity, lower blood pressure, have an antispasmodic and weak choleretic effect, and increase the secretion of the glands of the digestive tract. Most often, the products of Valerian elderberry are used as means that have a calming effect on the nervous system and improve the activity of the cardiovascular system, namely: in conditions of excessive nervous excitement, hysteria and epilepsy, with feelings of anxiety, mental fatigue, migraine-like headaches, insomnia (caused by nervous tension or obsessive thoughts), vegetoneurosis and neuroses of the cardiovascular system, for the prevention and treatment of angina and hypertension in the initial stage. The use of Valerian elderberry is also effective in cases of increased thyroid function, to relieve spasms and increase the secretion of the glandular apparatus of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as as a means that increases bile secretion. In obstetrics and gynecology, Valerian elderberry products are prescribed as a sedative for climacteric neuroses, for toxicosis in pregnant women, and for impaired cardiac activity. In folk medicine, elderberry valerian is used for nervous excitement, hypochondria, hysteria, epilepsy, migraine, physical or nervous overload, pain in the heart area, as a carminative, anthelmintic and as a digestive aid. The plant is included in soothing tea, gastric tea and carminative tea. to relieve spasms and increase the secretion of the glandular apparatus of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as as a means that increases bile secretion. In obstetrics and gynecology, Valerian elderberry products are prescribed as a sedative for climacteric neuroses, for toxicosis in pregnant women, and for impaired cardiac activity. In folk medicine, elderberry valerian is used for nervous excitement, hypochondria, hysteria, epilepsy, migraine, physical or nervous overload, pain in the heart area, as a carminative, anthelmintic and as a digestive aid. The plant is included in soothing tea, gastric tea and carminative tea. to relieve spasms and increase the secretion of the glandular apparatus of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as as a means that increases bile secretion. In obstetrics and gynecology, Valerian elderberry products are prescribed as a sedative for climacteric neuroses, for toxicosis in pregnant women, and for impaired cardiac activity. In folk medicine, elderberry valerian is used for nervous excitement, hypochondria, hysteria, epilepsy, migraine, physical or nervous overload, pain in the heart area, as a carminative, anthelmintic and as a digestive aid. The plant is included in soothing tea, gastric tea and carminative tea. with toxicosis of pregnant women and their heart failure. In folk medicine, elderberry valerian is used for nervous excitement, hypochondria, hysteria, epilepsy, migraine, physical or nervous overload, pain in the heart area, as a carminative, anthelmintic and as a digestive aid. The plant is included in soothing tea, gastric tea and carminative tea. with toxicosis of pregnant women and their heart failure. In folk medicine, elderberry valerian is used for nervous excitement, hypochondria, hysteria, epilepsy, migraine, physical or nervous overload, pain in the heart area, as a carminative, anthelmintic and as a digestive aid. The plant is included in soothing tea, gastric tea and carminative tea.
Medicinal forms and applications .
Internally – infusion of the rhizome with roots (20 g or 2.5 tablespoons per 200 ml of boiling water) 2-3 tablespoons 3-1 times a day 30 minutes after meals;
cold infusion of crushed rhizomes with roots (2 teaspoons per 1 glass of cold water, infuse for 12 hours) a third of a glass 3 times a day;
powder of rhizomes with roots, 1–3 g per dose;
tincture (in a ratio of 1:5, on 70% alcohol) 20–30 drops 3–1 times a day;
thick valerian extract (Extractum Valerianae spissum) 1–2 tablets per dose;
corvalol (Corvalolum) 15–30 drops 2–3 times a day for neuroses with increased excitability, mild spasms of coronary vessels, tachycardia, insomnia, hypertension in the initial stage, intestinal spasms (with tachycardia and vascular spasms, the single dose can be increased up to 40–45 drops);
valocormid (Valocormidum) 10–20 drops 2–3 times a day for cardiovascular neuroses accompanied by bradycardia;
camphor-valerian drops (Guttae Valerianae cum Camphora) 15–20 drops 3 times a day for cardiovascular neuroses;
a decoction of 1–3 teaspoons of a mixture of equal parts of valerian roots and lemon balm leaves in 1 cup of boiling water (daily dose) is drunk for urticaria;
a mixture of rhizomes with the roots of valerian elderberry, cones of common hops, leaves of the three-leaved mullein and peppermint in a ratio of 1:1:2:2 is prepared as an infusion (1 tablespoon of the mixture per 2 cups of boiling water, infuse for 30 minutes, strain) and take half a glass 2 times a day as a choleretic.
Externally – baths made from a decoction of the roots of Valerian elderberry (a handful of raw material per 1 liter of water) in case of epilepsy in children (within 15 minutes, every other day, before bedtime);
baths for adults made from a decoction of equal parts of the flowers of marigold and chamomile, roots of valerian, common thyme and sage (a handful of the mixture per 2 liters of water, boiled for 30 minutes and added to a full bath) are taken twice a week for functional nervous disorders system, in cases of overfatigue, excessive irritability, sciatica, thrombophlebitis, hypertension and hypotension. The greatest therapeutic effect when using galenic products of Valerian elderberry is achieved with their systematic and long-term use. At the same time, it should be remembered that their long-term use and overdose can cause a feeling of general depression, headache, drowsiness, nausea, suppression of the digestive process, and heart failure.