Valerian is a rather inconspicuous plant known for many centuries, which was known as a medicinal plant in ancient times due to its significant medicinal properties.
Occurrence and cultivation of valerian
Valerian is a rather inconspicuous plant known for many centuries, which due to its significant medicinal efficacy was already known as a medicinal plant in ancient times. Valerian is a plant that persists for several years and occurs both as an herb or, within the numerous different species, as a shrub. Valerian, which grows in Central European latitudes, is mainly found as an undemanding plant along paths and the edges of meadows and forests. Valerian plant is one of the typical plants that thrives in European zones, temperate latitudes of Africa, Asia and America.
Effect and use
The medicinal herb valerian is included in many medicinal preparations and applications. Both individually and together with other medicinal herbs, valerian is processed into appropriate medicines. Due to the special ingredients found in valerian, the extracts of the plant are considered calming and sleep-inducing. Therefore, special plant-based sedatives and sleeping pills contain these ingredients. The calming and sleep-inducing effects of valerian are mainly due to the alkaloids and essential oils it contains. The essential oils in this context are mainly represented by the so-called monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The intensity of these substances is reflected in the fact that dried valerian has a typical odor. The sesquiterpenes are the active substances, which are considered to be sleep-inducing. They influence the transmission of stimuli and the excitations based on the nervous system, as well as the activities of the so-called GABA receptors. These stimulus receptors are located in the nerve cells and can be influenced and calmed by the essential oil, so that people can fall asleep better and find rest more easily. In addition, valerian tincture is also known in pharmacy.
Importance for health
Since valerian brings sedation and is beneficial for falling asleep and staying asleep, people can avoid addictive and chemical-based sleeping pills and get relief and mental calmness on a herbal basis. In addition, valerian is known in the group of psychotropic drugs in that it provides significant improvement in specific mental illnesses. Valerian is balm for the soul and is often used as a substitute for synthetic psychotropic drugs, both as a sole drug, which is free of side effects, or in combination with other preparations. This is also because valerian can have a relaxing and anxiety-relieving effect. Various types of valerian, which are found in Asia or Africa, for example, have a great effect in homeopathy and are considered useful in the treatment of nervousness, lack of concentration and, due to their antispasmodic effect, for pain of various kinds. Many medical practitioners use medicines containing valerian to treat painful conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and to provide helpful therapy for inflammation in the colon, also known as colitis. The drug, which is derived from the valerian plant and has no addictive characteristics, is considered to be helpful for menopause-related symptoms and is often recommended before the onset of menstruation. An amazing effect in terms of muscle tension can be achieved with valerian, if appropriate preparations are added to the bath water. In the vernacular, valerian was also known for the fact that the root of the plant helps against the plague, so to speak. Valerian is useful for strengthening the cardiovascular system. With regard to the plague diseases, possibly the slightly germicidal effect of valerian tincture showed to be helpful.
