A bottle of valerian is available in every medicine cabinet. Many people often use this remedy to ensure proper sleep. Some people prefer to use it to relieve nervous tension and anxiety. However, few people think about the fact that even such a universal drug is considered a medicinal drug, which means it cannot be used uncontrolled.
It is important to read the instructions, which contain not only indications, but also contraindications, possible side effects and the first symptoms of an overdose. People often ask the pressing question: does valerian increase or decrease blood pressure? This article will tell you how valerian affects blood pressure and how to take it correctly.
Medicinal properties
At the moment, the pharmacological industry offers its consumers valerian, presented in the form of tablets and tinctures.
Naturally, they contain the same indications for use and contraindications. The only difference is in the pattern of use and daily dosage.
The active component of this drug is a thick extract of valerian. In addition to it, the product also contains additional components that do not in any way affect the overall clinical picture.
Among the beneficial effects provided by the medicine are the following:
- perfectly calms;
- helps cope with anxiety;
- improves the process of falling asleep;
- guarantees a restful sleep.
However, the information provided in the instructions for the medicine is slightly different:
- valerian extract has a strong effect on the human nervous system - it simply depresses it;
- with regular use, valerian reduces the pulse and gradually dilates the blood vessels;
- the muscles of the urinary and digestive systems relax as much as possible.
But does valerian reduce blood pressure?
With constant use of this medicine, there is an increased production of bile (a powerful choleretic effect), as well as a decrease in blood pressure. Like any other drug, valerian under pressure can have not only positive, but also negative effects on the body of each person.
Many patients may suffer from allergic reactions to individual components of the product or to the active substance (valerian). Experts strongly recommend testing the medicine first, and only then, if the body reacts normally, starting full treatment.
Valerian root
As you know, the maximum amount of useful substances is found in the root of the plant. Its preparation begins at the end of the summer season. The rhizome has a unique, specific aroma that is difficult to confuse with anything else. Many people know that cats are simply crazy about this smell.
To store for storage, accumulations of dirt and soil should be completely removed from the surfaces of rhizomes. Next, they need to be rinsed under cold water, dried and placed in tightly sealed containers away from other food products.
Does valerian reduce heart rate? As noted earlier, the main effect of this medication is sedation.
It will help improve the performance of the heart muscle, blood vessels and stomach.
As a drug, it is used for convulsions, rapid heartbeat, and pain in the heart muscle. Doctors often prescribe it for hysterical conditions.
In folk medicine, special decoctions based on valerian are often used. Doctors often advise consuming the root of the plant, but only if it has been ground to a powder.
In order to relieve spasm of blood vessels, significantly dilate them and lower blood pressure, it is necessary to use a decoction or a few drops of plant tincture internally.
They must first be dissolved in a sufficient amount of purified water. It is recommended to use the medication even for epilepsy, migraine, and significant hormonal imbalances.
Features of use and contraindications
Valerian helps reduce blood pressure, despite the fact that it does not have antihypertensive properties. Therefore, it is always combined with other medications.
Take drops and tablets after meals. The dosage of the tincture at one time is 25 drops. Frequency of application – up to 4 times a day inclusive. Valerian is sold in filter bags for brewing tea. Take in accordance with the attached instructions from the manufacturer.
In some cases, the drug may raise blood pressure. As a rule, this occurs with a long course of treatment against the background of excessively high dosages. Cannot be taken under 12 years of age, in case of individual intolerance.
Positive properties:
- Eliminates nervous tension.
- Calms, normalizes sleep.
- Relieves cramps.
- Dilates blood vessels.
- Improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Reduces heart pain.
Taking it can lead to adverse reactions - depression, digestive tract upset, drowsiness, worsening mood.
It is not recommended to take it in case of hypotension - stable low DM and DD, since Valerian further lowers blood counts, which leads to deterioration of well-being, weakness and drowsiness.
It is acceptable to use during pregnancy with the exception of the first trimester.
Does Valerian lower blood pressure or not?
Many hypertensive patients are concerned about whether valerian lowers blood pressure.
Valerian has been proven to lower blood pressure.
The strong effect of the drug on the body is due to the components it contains, which are characterized by increased biological activity.
These include the following: essential oils, alkaloids, glycosides (valerosides), valepotriates and others. Valerian for hypertension is used both as an independent remedy and as part of a complex treatment. It is prescribed for the treatment of angina pectoris.
Valerian normalizes blood pressure well due to its ability to calm the central nervous system, as well as significantly expand the coronary vessels. Thus, valerian lowers blood pressure. At home, this medication is often used for symptoms of severe stress, frustration and sleep disturbances.
However, valerian does not give immediate results for high blood pressure. This will not help normalize your blood pressure.
A strong and pronounced therapeutic effect can be observed only after several months of regular use of the medicine. Moreover, its active effect increases gradually.
You should consult your personal healthcare professional before using any form of medication. He will determine whether valerian and blood pressure are compatible in each specific case, and will prescribe the most correct dosage, which will help return blood pressure levels to normal.
The powerful sedative effect of the drug can become a significant obstacle for patients who urgently need a quick reaction or increased attention during work. It should be taken into account that in small doses valerian can have a slight tonic effect.
Valerian is extremely effective against blood pressure as part of combination medications.
For example, it could be a mixture of tincture of the component in question with lily of the valley flowers and leaves, as well as sodium bromide. It is advisable to use this drug for serious sleep disorders, hypertension and vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Drops or tablets?
Does valerian in tablets reduce blood pressure as well as in drops? – another popular question among hypertensive patients. The main difference between tablets and tinctures is the components present and the dosage of the plant extract.
The drops contain a small amount of alcohol. This should be taken into account by patients suffering from stomach diseases or alcohol intolerance. Quite often, the tincture is prescribed in cases where the patient is bothered by such phenomena as sleep disturbances and neurasthenia.
Alcohol tincture of valerian
A unique therapeutic effect can be seen in combination with the use of drugs to eliminate spasms that appear in the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.
It is important to note that experts do not recommend the simultaneous use of valerian in the form of tincture and tablets, since this can provoke the appearance of unwanted side effects such as fever, increased heart rate and other unwanted reactions of the body.
It is still not possible to combine the drug in question with other medications that contain alcohol.
It is advisable to treat hypertension in a calm home environment, because working conditions require concentration, which valerian can significantly reduce.
In addition, this medicine has a specific aroma, which instantly spreads thanks to the essential oil present in the drops and tablets. This is exactly what people around you may not like. The most convenient for use is valerian for high blood pressure in tablet form.
The main substance in it may be present in different quantities depending on the feedstock. To produce this drug, valerian rhizome powder, as well as thick and dry extracts, are used. As you know, each type has its own unique dosage, indications and recommendations for use.
Video on the topic
Does Valerian lower or increase blood pressure? Does Valerian help lower your heart rate? Answers in the video:
This article contains useful information about how compatible valerian and blood pressure are. It is important to remember that at the first sign of an overdose, you should immediately call emergency help. Before the specialist arrives, you urgently need to rinse your stomach and drink activated charcoal. Next, it is important to stop using the medication for a certain period.
Valerian is a practically harmless drug that in many cases helps to effectively solve the problem of high blood pressure. This is also a great way to lower your elevated heart rate. If the specified dosage is carefully observed, an undesirable increase in tonometer readings is excluded. The most important thing is to follow the recommendations of your personal doctor during therapy.
The information on the MyMedNews.ru website is for reference and general information, collected from publicly available sources and cannot serve as a basis for making a decision on the use of medications in the course of treatment.
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Folk recipes with valerian for hypertension
Hypertensive patients are most often prescribed valerian tablets or tincture. You can enhance the hypotensive effect by combining it with other herbs:
- Collection No. 1. 1 tbsp. l. valerian, hop cones, 2 tbsp. l. trefoil watch (trefoil), mint. Pour in 2 cups of boiling water. Leave for 3 hours. Drink 100 ml 4 times a day.
- Collection No. 2. Valerian, chamomile, mint, fennel, cumin seeds. The proportions are equal. At 5 tbsp. l. raw materials are 2 tbsp. water. Dry ingredients are poured with boiling water and left for 3 hours. Drink 100 ml 4 times a day.
- Half a glass of dill seeds, 10 g of valerian root, 10 g of honey, 1 liter of water. Dill and valerian are poured with boiling water. When the water has cooled to about 30-400 C, add honey. They insist for a day. You need to drink valerian 2 tsp. three times a day half an hour before meals. The course of treatment for hypertension is 3 weeks. Therapy can be repeated after a week's break.
When taking valerian, you need to take into account that it cannot quickly reduce high blood pressure. Therefore, with critical blood pressure levels and the threat of a hypertensive crisis, you need to take special medications: Nifedipine, Captopril.
