VALERIAN OFFICINE (moun, earthen incense)
Perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 1.5 m. The rhizome is short, vertical, with numerous brown or yellow-brown roots. The stem is straight, furrowed, hollow inside. Leaves opposite, pinnately dissected, with 7-11 pairs of leaflets, lower petiolate, upper sessile. The flowers are small, white-pink, irregular, collected in a corymbose panicle. Fruit with a fly. Blooms from June to September.
It is found in the southeastern regions of Russia.
Medicinal raw materials are roots with a rhizome of a biennial plant, collected in autumn or early spring, 2-4 cm long, 1-3 cm thick. Collect rhizomes with roots when the stems wither and turn brown (second half of August, September). Storage period within 1 year.
Dried roots have a characteristic strong odor, spicy, bittersweet taste. Store raw materials in a dry, well-ventilated area. It should be protected from frost, because after freezing it loses its quality, and from cats, which are attracted by the smell of valerian, and they can spoil the goods.
Roots and rhizomes contain an essential oil, the main component of which is bornyl isova leryanate (valerian-borneol ether) and other esters, including glycoside, valeride, also tannins, sugars, formic, acetic, malic and other acids.
Valerian is one of the most popular medicines. Valerian preparations have a regulatory effect on the nervous system, the neuromuscular apparatus of the heart, contribute to the expansion of coronary vessels, have an antispasmodic effect, normalize blood circulation, somewhat increase the motor function of the intestine and destroy fermentation processes in it.
Valerian is prescribed as a sedative for nervous excitement, insomnia, neurosis of the cardiovascular system, and spastic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Valerian is used as an infusion from the root or rhizome (1:30), tinctures (alcohol and ether) and extracts. Roots and rhizomes are part of all kinds of fees (carminative, choleretic and general calming action).
It is recommended to give valerian in the form of tea: 8-10 g of crushed root should be brewed with boiling water in the evening. In order not to evaporate essential oils, it is necessary to close the glass with a saucer so that the bottom is dipped into the infusion (to achieve tightness). The contents of the glass should be drunk throughout the next day.
Valerian has a beneficial therapeutic effect in the treatment of diseases with increased thyroid function: in patients, the painful sensation of palpitations and high nervous excitability are eliminated.
It has been established that valerian products increase inhibition in the cerebral cortex, reduce reflex excitability, and relax spasms of smooth muscles.
Valerian preparations are also indicated for epilepsy, asthma, coronary insufficiency with pain syndromes, migraine, spastic constipation. It is used in the form of infusions, decoctions, extracts and powders for hysteria, pain in the heart, heart defects, chorea, epilepsy, nervous fatigue. The infusion of the root is indicated in the aftermath of long-term illnesses as an appetite improver and general tonic.
Children – with pain in the abdomen, vomiting and convulsions (2 – 3 drops of tincture) in the form of enemas. With epilepsy, babies are bathed every other day in a decoction.
In folk medicine, roots with rhizomes are also used in the form of infusions, decoctions, vodka tinctures and powders for hypochondria, hysteria, headaches (migraine) and convulsive pains, pain in the heart (with its defect), for epilepsy (epilepsy)*, for severe experiences, diarrhea, nervous shock, fright, insomnia, flushing of blood to the head, especially in women in menopause. 5 g of crushed root is poured into 250 ml of boiling water, simmered for at least 2 hours and taken 100 ml in the morning and evening before bedtime (the last dose is recommended to be taken warm with honey). With tachycardia, it is good to brew it together with lily of the valley flowers in equal parts. Take intermittently.
When frightened, older children should be given 7-10 drops of tincture 3 times every day, and with epilepsy they should be bathed every other day in a decoction of valerian root (one handful of root per liter of water).
In addition, as a carminative, valerian improves digestion, regulates the functional activity of the stomach; apply it against worms. The root and rhizome of valerian, prepared in powder form, work well as a sedative and healing agent for scarlet fever, pneumonia. Valerian roots are traditionally not used fresh.
Application
Infusion on water: 1 teaspoon (or 1 incomplete tablespoon) of crushed root in a glass of cold water, insist for 6-8 hours. Take 1 tbsp. spoon, give children 1 teaspoon 3 times every day for neuroses.
Decoction (for hysteria): 1 full teaspoon per cup of boiling water; use 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times every day. This decoction, combined with a decoction of rue, is sweetened with honey (to taste) for greater effectiveness, they drink 1 tbsp. spoon after 2 hours.
Vodka tincture: a fifth of a bottle of vodka is poured with finely chopped root. Put in a warm place for a week. The liquid is drained and the root is squeezed out, allowed to settle and then filtered through a cloth or fourfold gauze. Take 15 to 30 drops 3 times every day for cardioneurosis.
As a tea: 1 teaspoon per cup, take 1/2 cup 2-3 times daily (carminative).
1 st. spoon for 2 cups of boiling water, insist for 30 minutes, strain. Take 1/2 cup 2 times every day (choleretic).
1 st. brew a spoon in a glass of boiling water. 1/3 cup 3 times every day (sedative). In Belarus, the root has long been used for cancer.