Valerian in pregnancy

Valerian during pregnancy is prescribed only for indications that include the anxious state of the expectant mother, her insomnia, anxiety, which are quite understandable due to hormonal changes in the body and concerns about the health of the fetus.

Valerian is one of the most ancient and popular medicinal plants, its name speaks for itself: valere means to be healthy and strong, vale is the wish “be healthy” translated from Latin.

The roots of the plant have healing power, the leaves can also be considered medicinal, but to a lesser extent, since they do not contain as many essential oils as the rhizome. It is thanks to the ethers that instantly penetrate the body that drugs from Radix Valerianae minoris (root) affect the nervous and vascular system, bile ducts, smooth muscles, exerting an antispasmodic, sedative effect. It is believed that drugs containing valerian should calm. Indeed, in most cases, this is what happens, but the drug also has contraindications. Valerian is used with caution during pregnancy, alcohol tinctures of the plant are not given to children. In addition, valerian root can have not a sedative, but on the contrary, an exciting effect depending on the person's condition, the dosage of the drug and the duration of its use.

Valerian during pregnancy: dosage

Like any other medicine, herbal preparations must be used wisely and in a dosage that does not harm health.

• The course of treatment, method of application and dosage, especially for the expectant mother, are very important. Valerian during pregnancy, the dosage of which depends on many parameters and factors, is prescribed only by a doctor.
• As a rule, the tablet form is recommended two to three times a day, one tablet at a time, maximum two tablets at a time. The pills should be taken before meals (30-40 minutes).
• A decoction of Radix Valerianae minoris (rhizomes) is taken one tablespoon twice or three times a day, also before meals.
• A course of treatment with valerian tablets usually lasts 2-3 weeks, then a break is taken and the drug is either discontinued or prescribed again, but in combination with other sedatives or antispasmodics.
• The maximum course of treatment with valerian, both for pregnant women and for other patients, does not exceed 30 days. Long-term use of the drug not only causes resistance of the body (stability, insensitivity), but can provoke side effects - constipation, nausea, headache, blood pressure surges.

Valerian during pregnancy, the dosage of which should not exceed the norm (6 tablets or 6 spoons of decoction per day), is not a panacea, but rather an auxiliary remedy that helps reduce anxiety and neutralize mild physiological changes in the body.

Is it possible to take valerian during pregnancy?

Most women rely on the miraculous power of herbal preparations and many ask the question - is it possible to take valerian during pregnancy? The answer is ambiguous.

On the one hand, valerian is considered a non-toxic drug with a pronounced sedative effect. On the other hand, the alcohol form, i.e. tincture, is unacceptable, as well as high doses of valerian in tablets.

The question of using the drug should be decided only with the attending physician, gynecologist, who takes into account all the potential risks and benefits of treatment with valerian.

Why are valerian preparations prescribed during pregnancy:

• Anxiety-related tachycardia.
• Spasms of the gastrointestinal tract of non-infectious or inflammatory etiology.
• Increased uterine tone, risk of early miscarriage.
• Persistent insomnia.
• Chronic irritability, nervousness.

Valerian tablets and decoction have a beneficial effect on the digestive tract and help normalize bile secretion. All these problems often accompany pregnancy. In addition to the traditional calming effect, valerian can relieve spasms during Braxton Hicks contractions, that is, false, "training" contractions, it has an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the diaphragm, intestines, and uterus.

It is believed that the use of valerian preparations is acceptable, however, the following information should be taken into account:

• An ideal pregnancy is a condition that does not require any herbal or synthetic medications. Anxiety and increased excitability can be neutralized in safer ways - breathing exercises, autogenic training, walks.
• Overdose of drugs containing valerian can increase the excitability of the nervous system.
• An excess of isovaleric acid, glycosides, alkaloids, saponins and tannins contained in the plant root can cause headaches, nausea, and increased blood pressure.

Valerian: instructions during pregnancy

Valerian root is used by many people as an independent remedy, but such methods are not effective for pregnant women. With what drugs is valerian prescribed, instructions during pregnancy, dosage regimens - this is the prerogative of the doctor, self-medication will not only not bring benefits, but can also harm both the mother and the fetus.

General recommendations for prescribing valerian, instructions during pregnancy:

I trimester – valerian tablets are indicated in combination with other drugs. This is especially effective in case of a threat of spontaneous miscarriage, increased tone of the uterine muscles. To prevent and neutralize early gestosis, complex treatment is prescribed, including the following methods and techniques:

• Bed rest.
• Prescribing sedative herbal preparations, including valerian in tablets, in the form of a decoction or as part of a herbal mixture.
• Drug antispasmodic therapy according to indications – No-shpa, myotropic antispasmodics in the form of suppositories (candles).
• Late toxicosis is preeclampsia, when the pressure rises to 140/90 and protein is found in the urine. Mild preeclampsia is treated in a complex manner with valerian, motherwort and hypotensive drugs. More severe forms of gestosis require inpatient treatment and constant monitoring by a doctor.
• It should be noted that tincture of valerian in alcohol is not allowed for pregnant women, despite its fast action. It is better to wait two or three days until valerian in tablets starts to "work" than to risk the health of the fetus. The woman's body is more susceptible to a decoction of valerian root, it is more effective than the tablet form, but less convenient, the tablet only needs to be removed from the blister and washed down with water, and the decoction will have to be prepared every day.

To summarize, we can say that valerian is a practically safe drug if the instructions for its use during pregnancy are drawn up by the attending physician, not through experiments or with the help of advice from friends.

Valerian in tablets during pregnancy

Future mothers, like no one else, need peace and emotional balance, therefore, in case of increased excitability, anxiety, tachycardia, neurotic etiology, valerian root is the first remedy recommended by a doctor. Valerian is available in different forms - as an alcohol tincture, in tablet form, is part of many drugs and herbal teas - Corvalment, Novopassit, soothing teas No. 2 and No. 3.

Valerian tablets during pregnancy are prescribed in a dosage that depends on many parameters. The treatment regimen is affected by the level of nervousness, the woman's health, the degree of risk and threat when using the drug, as well as possible intolerance to some components of valerian, which is not uncommon during pregnancy.

As a rule, no more than three tablets per day are prescribed, which are taken half an hour before meals and washed down with a small amount of purified water. Shell Tablets are usually released in a shell containing safe ingredients, each tablet contains 0.02 grams of valerian extract.

In the first trimester, the extract can reduce the tone of the smooth muscles of the uterus and prevent the threat of termination of gestation - miscarriage, but only in combination with other drugs. Later, valerian in tablets during pregnancy helps to normalize periodically increasing blood pressure and improve the quality of sleep. The tablet form is considered the safest, unlike tinctures containing alcohol, but one should remember the danger of overdose. The maximum that a future mother can afford is no more than six valerian tablets per day. If the drug does not have the desired effect, you should again contact your gynecologist and find out the true cause of the anxious, nervous state.

Valerian drops during pregnancy

Valerian drops are not recommended for use during pregnancy, since they are prepared on an alcohol basis. It would be possible not to continue further, however, in obstetric practice there are cases when the stressful conditions of the expectant mother require quick action and relief. Also, there are emergency situations when a pregnant woman needs to be immediately calmed down at home, then taking the tincture is allowed.

Valerian drops during pregnancy are an extreme measure, of course, not relieving pathological conditions. A single dose is no more than 15 drops per half a glass of purified or boiled water, only situational use of alcohol tincture is permissible in such conditions:

• I urgently need to calm down, but I don’t have any valerian tablets at hand.
• There is a feeling of spasm and colic in the stomach.
• A girdle-like pain radiating to the right indicates bile stasis.
• Severe fatigue as a result of many days of insomnia.
• Severe tachycardia.

Having removed the primary symptom, the pregnant woman should immediately consult a doctor for examination and adequate assistance. Uncontrolled use of valerian in the form of tincture can provoke complications for both the mother and the fetus. Here it is appropriate to recall the good old film "The Mystery of the Third Planet", the hero of which says: "That's what two extra drops of valerian mean... All this will not end well." Of course, there may not be any pathological, serious consequences from the tincture, but the expectant mother should not risk it, it is better to relieve nervous excitability, anxiety by watching the above-mentioned positive and cheerful cartoon.

How to take valerian during pregnancy?

Let us note right away that valerian alcohol tincture is contraindicated for expectant mothers; it is used only in the most extreme cases, when the woman’s condition is assessed as stressful: the tincture is taken once, no more than 20 drops in half a glass of purified water.

Decoction of the rhizome. To prepare the decoction, take 20 grams of dry crushed roots (about 3 tablespoons), pour one glass of boiling water and heat to a boil over low heat. It is better if the decoction slowly boils for 15 minutes in a water bath. The remedy is infused for an hour, during which time it cools down. The decoction is filtered and topped up with cooled boiled water to a volume of 200 milliliters. Pregnant women are advised to drink no more than 6 tablespoons - 2 three times a day before meals. The initial dosage should be as follows: one tablespoon three times half an hour before meals, after 2-3 days the dose can be increased. However, if the initial volume of the decoction brings relief, calms and normalizes sleep, there is no need to add it. The doctor regulates the long-term use of the decoction, but it is believed that the course should not exceed 30 days.

How to take valerian during pregnancy in tablets. Just as in the case of using a decoction, the maximum number is 6, that is, no more than six tablets per day. As a rule, in the first week, 1 tablet is prescribed three times a day 30-40 minutes before each meal. The dose can be increased to 2 tablets at a time, in cases where the anxious, nervous state of the pregnant woman requires it.

Surprisingly, few people remember that valerian contains a large number of essential oils, which work great as aromatherapy and as an external remedy. The infusion for medicinal baths is prepared simply: 3 tablespoons of the root are boiled for 10 minutes in 2 glasses of water, filtered and added to the bathing water. Please note that the duration of the procedure should not exceed 20 minutes, and the water temperature should not be higher than 37.5-38 degrees. As a concentrate, you can also use valerian tincture on alcohol (the alcohol will evaporate quickly), add 30 drops of the product to a standard volume of water.

Valerian in early pregnancy

Valerian in early pregnancy can be a life-saving remedy, helping to cope with toxicosis, early gestosis in a mild form. Toxicosis is not uncommon during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, it is during this period that the fetus begins to form vital organs and systems. Vomiting and the serious condition of the mother do not make this process any easier, in addition, there is a high risk of dehydration, the supply of nutrition, so necessary for the baby, is reduced. Valerian in early pregnancy, in combination with drugs that stop the gag reflex and the activity of the salivary center in the cerebral cortex, can eliminate this condition. Valerian root is part of herbal teas that have a sedative property, the tablet form of valerian in combination with rehydration measures, taking antiemetic drugs reduce the symptoms of toxicosis and help the pregnant woman survive this difficult stage.

You can prepare the following decoction yourself: pour 1 tablespoon of crushed dry roots of the plant with one glass of hot boiled water, leave for 2 hours, then boil over low heat for 10-15 minutes. The cooled decoction is taken by tablespoon 4-5 times a day between meals.

It should be remembered that valerian in the early stages of pregnancy is prescribed only for strict indications, since it is believed that in the first trimester it is better to do without medications in principle.

Use of valerian during pregnancy in the 1st trimester

Since valerian root has a pronounced sedative effect and does not have toxic properties, its decoction and tablet form can be prescribed to both pregnant women and children. Valerian is especially effective during pregnancy, the first trimester of which is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, that is, early toxicosis. As a rule, valerian preparations are prescribed to expectant mothers in combination with other drugs - hypotensive, antiemetic, rehydration. In addition, valerian decoction, tablets are effective in complex therapy, preventing spontaneous termination of pregnancy - miscarriage. Saponins, tannins, essential oils, alkaloids and glycosides included in the rhizome can have a mild antispasmodic effect on the uterus with increased tone. The use of Radix Valerianae minoris (root) is indicated up to the 16th week, when the threat of spontaneous abortion is very high.

Valerian is taken in a course of up to 30 days, its effectiveness is controlled by a doctor, as well as the dosage. In other cases, when the first trimester proceeds without complications, valerian is not prescribed during pregnancy, however, like other drugs.

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Is valerian harmful during pregnancy?

It is believed that ideally, a woman should avoid any medications, both herbal and synthetic, throughout the entire period of pregnancy. The expectant mother is recommended to take vitamin complexes and a special diet to help replenish the reserve of nutrients and prepare the body for childbirth.

Whether valerian is harmful during pregnancy depends on who recommends it, how, when and how much to take it. Any independent prescription of drugs, including herbal ones, as well as vitamin preparations, may not only be useless, but also quite risky. Valerian is prescribed as a sedative, antispasmodic agent for certain conditions of a pregnant woman. Overdose, arbitrary use of tablets or decoction can provoke complications, including the following:

• Increased excitability with a dose of more than 6 tablets per day.
• Headache.
• A persistent feeling of nausea not associated with toxicosis.
• Digestive upset.
• Constipation.
• Allergic reactions, urticaria.
• Drowsiness, feeling of apathy.
• Increased irritability.

In addition, whether valerian is harmful during pregnancy depends on the period of its use. In the first trimester, it is prescribed for the threat of spontaneous miscarriage, with excessively increased tone of the smooth muscles of the uterus, as well as with severe toxicosis. Valerian preparations are also prescribed in the third trimester for late gestosis as an adjuvant in complex therapy. In the second trimester, when the baby's nervous system is formed, any sedatives or activating drugs are unacceptable.

How to drink valerian during pregnancy?

Pregnant women are recommended to take valerian tablets or root decoctions. Alcohol-containing tinctures and alcohol-based herbal teas are not prescribed for obvious reasons.

How to drink valerian during pregnancy:

• Tablets. The initial course for 2-3 days is based on the scheme - 1 tablet three times a day 30-40 minutes before meals. The dragee or tablets should be washed down with plain purified or boiled water. If necessary, the dose is increased to 2 tablets three times a day in the same regimen. The course of treatment is usually 2-3 weeks, less often a month. It is necessary to note dynamic changes in the condition; if it improves, valerian, like other sedatives, is canceled.
• Valerian decoction. Take one tablespoon three times a day before meals. Sometimes the dose is increased to 2 tablespoons three times a day. The decoction should be prepared daily and be fresh, it should not be stored in the refrigerator and used for several days.
• Bath concentrate. 200 ml of diluted concentrate per standard bath volume. If the concentrate is considered to be a decoction of 3 tablespoons per glass of water, it is filtered and plain water is added, bringing the volume to 200 ml.

How to drink valerian during pregnancy should be decided by a doctor, and not by friends who have already given birth to a baby and generously offer help in the form of advice. It is necessary to remember that each organism has individual characteristics, especially the organism of a pregnant woman.

Motherwort or valerian during pregnancy?

For a doctor, such a question does not exist, since valerian itself as a single remedy is used extremely rarely during pregnancy. Most often, it is prescribed in combination with other medications, including decoctions of medicinal herbs.

Motherwort or valerian during pregnancy? Both, especially effective is the herbal collection, which has a synergistic effect, that is, the effective interaction of the medicinal components of valerian and motherwort.

Like valerian root, motherwort has a slow but steadily accumulating sedative and antispasmodic effect. In addition, it normalizes blood pressure, therefore, prevents possible pressure surges, while activating the work of the heart muscle due to the glycosides and alkaloids contained in the composition. Motherwort restores carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, controls blood sugar levels. If valerian has an antispasmodic property, then motherwort complements this action with its anticonvulsant properties.

Of course, the choice of motherwort or valerian during pregnancy remains with the attending physician, it is quite possible that only motherwort decoction will be prescribed. This should not be surprising, if there are no indications for the use of valerian root, there is no need to overload the body of the expectant mother with drugs, even of plant origin. It is quite possible that it is necessary to relieve mild swelling, and the pregnant woman does not have other serious problems, in which case it is recommended to use motherwort in the form of a decoction, since it also has all the properties of a gentle diuretic. It is most convenient to drink herbal tea in packaged form, which can be purchased at a pharmacy, such a drug already contains a measured dose.

Motherwort is also good at relieving flatulence, which often accompanies pregnancy. The course of treatment with valerian and motherwort depends on the problem they are aimed at, but, as a rule, does not exceed one month. In addition, it should be remembered that an overdose of herbal preparations can provoke complications, so pregnant women should strictly follow the doctor's recommendations.