Can pregnant women take valerian in tablets and drops?

Which products with valerian can be taken during pregnancy and which cannot?

Valerian is included in many drugs, dietary supplements and homeopathic remedies. Some of them are contraindicated during pregnancy, while others are acceptable. Despite the fact that over the past few decades, more than 200 scientific and clinical studies have been conducted in European countries alone, which have studied the effectiveness and safety of valerian, its effect on pregnancy and fetal development still remains unclear. In this regard, the instructions for use of many medications indicate that it is better to avoid their use during pregnancy.

Extract from the instructions for use of the drug Valerian Forte

There is no evidence that valerian is safe for the expectant mother and child. At the same time, it is not a teratogenic drug that can cause congenital malformations in the fetus. Today there is no reason to believe that taking valerian during pregnancy can affect the development of the fetus, just as there is no reason to believe that the drug is completely safe.

According to the guidelines of the World Health Organization, the use of valerian is permitted only with a doctor's prescription and under his supervision.

Valerian is available in different dosage forms. Valerian drops are contraindicated for pregnant women due to the 70% ethyl alcohol content in the tincture. The use of valerian extract in tablets or a decoction of rhizomes and roots is permitted in some cases. When prescribing valerian, the doctor must consider how much the woman needs this drug and whether its benefits will outweigh the possible risks to the fetus.

Valerian is included in various preparations, including dietary supplements and homeopathic remedies. Their use must be coordinated with the gynecologist who is monitoring the pregnancy, even if the drug is considered relatively safe and is not contraindicated during pregnancy.

Known valerian-based products and the possibility of their use during pregnancy:

• Dietary supplement Evening tablets. In addition to valerian extract, it contains mint and hop heads. Dietary supplements are produced by various pharmaceutical companies. The instructions for use of some products indicate that they are contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy, while others are permitted as prescribed by a doctor. When using pills, you need to take into account that mint contains a lot of estrogens, which can stimulate labor. Hops during pregnancy are contraindicated as they can affect hormonal levels;
• Dietary supplement Valerian P. It contains valerian extract, vitamin C and auxiliary components. The use of the drug during pregnancy is permissible from the second trimester as prescribed by a doctor.
• The drug Valerian Forte from Arterium. The tablets contain valerian extract and 40% ethanol. It is not recommended to take the drug during pregnancy due to the lack of data on its safety;
• The drug Novo-Passit. Available in the form of syrup and tablets. The syrup contains ethanol, so it is not used during pregnancy. The tablets contain valerian, lemon balm, hops, elderberry, passionflower, St. John's wort, hawthorn and guaifenesin. The drug is contraindicated in the first trimester; in later stages, use is permissible if indicated and as prescribed by a doctor. The components of Novo-Passit may interact with other drugs, enhancing or weakening their effect. How the drug affects fetal development is unknown;
• Persen from Sandoz. The composition includes valerian extract, peppermint and lemon balm leaf extract and additional ingredients. The drug is not recommended during pregnancy due to lack of safety data.

Sometimes valerian preparations are recommended for pregnant women to be replaced with glycine or motherwort. The drug Glycine is produced by various pharmaceutical companies. It is prescribed for decreased mental capacity and psycho-emotional stress. Its use is also possible only as prescribed by a doctor.

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Motherwort is used as a mild sedative, as well as for uterine hypertonicity, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, hypertension and vegetative-vascular dystonia. The effect of the drug on pregnancy and the fetus has also not been studied.

Only a doctor can decide whether to use motherwort instead of valerian.

Another alternative is homeopathic remedies. They contain practically no active ingredients and their effectiveness is equal to that of a placebo. The likelihood of affecting pregnancy or causing side effects is extremely low.

During pregnancy, the use of medications should be treated very carefully. Only a doctor can determine the appropriateness of prescribing the drug.

Release form

Valerian is produced in several dosage forms: as an alcohol tincture, decoction or tablets. Although the drug is actually the same, the difference between these forms is quite noticeable.

1. Alcohol tincture is considered the fastest-acting, but it contains ethanol, and therefore drinking valerian in this form is contraindicated for pregnant women. Conventionally, taking drops in a minimum dosage is allowed for long periods, but only when the stress level is critical, the patient needs to quickly calm down, and there are no suitable drugs.
2. The decoction is not inferior in effectiveness to the tincture, however, it does not contain alcohol, therefore it is not forbidden to drink such valerian during pregnancy. But there are several nuances here too. For some patients, the decoction is not effective enough, and in pharmacies it can be quite difficult to find plant materials for preparing the decoction. Moreover, when preparing valerian decoction yourself, it can be difficult to determine the concentration of the drug, which calls into question the safety of this product.
3. Valerian in tablets is also not prohibited during pregnancy, although experts believe that in terms of the number of active ingredients, valerian in tablets can be considered a dummy, and the result of taking it is a placebo effect.

In fact, each dosage form has its own disadvantages, and therefore only a specialist should prescribe the drug.

Medicinal properties of the plant

Valerian extract has been used in medicinal practice for many thousands of years. This plant is famous for its calming and antispasmodic effects. It has a beneficial effect on the nervous and digestive systems. With the help of preparations from the plant, it is possible to eliminate tension, increased fatigue, pain and spasms, and normalize the emotional state. It also helps stimulate the digestion process and accelerates recovery from infectious pathologies.

Instructions

While carrying a baby, only a doctor can prescribe valerian to a mother; he also selects the form of the drug and the exact dosage, duration and frequency of taking the medicine. In the form of an alcohol solution (drops), the drug is not recommended for pregnant women. But in extreme cases, so that girls can calm down faster, this dosage form is also used. Take drops, regardless of food, twice or thrice a day, 20 drops.

More often, valerian is prescribed to pregnant women in tablet form. It is recommended to take it three times a day, 1-2 pills. Sometimes a specialist can adjust the dosage if there are special indications for this. The course of treatment with valerian is about 2-4 weeks, although it can be adjusted by a specialist depending on the patient’s condition. If necessary, the course can be repeated after one and a half to two months.

If mommy decides to take valerian in powder form (this is a plant that has been dried and crushed in advance), then the proportions must be strictly observed when preparing infusions or decoctions. By the way, valerian works much more effectively in this form. To prepare the decoction, you need to pour a glass of boiling water into a container with 2 large spoons of valerian powder.

The container is heated in a bathhouse for a quarter of an hour, then cooled and the contents are filtered. The resulting broth is brought to 0.2 liters by adding cooled boiled water. The finished product is drunk in a large spoon half an hour after meals three times a day. This decoction is most effective in the presence of excessive psycho-emotional overexcitability.

In what cases is valerian prescribed during pregnancy?

The alcohol contained in valerian tincture also has a calming effect, but it also has its own contraindications

Valerian has a mild sedative and hypnotic effect. It is used for nervous tension, insomnia and other sleep disorders. Valerian also helps to weaken spasms of smooth muscle organs, so during pregnancy it can be prescribed for increased uterine tone. Since one of its causes is emotional stress, this also justifies the use of valerian.

Sometimes in the first trimester of pregnancy, valerian is prescribed if there is a threat of miscarriage. However, it is used only as an additional agent in complex therapy. In the third trimester, symptoms of late gestosis may become an indication for use.

Valerian also has mild antispasmodic, choleretic and hypotensive properties. Therefore, both in early and late stages of pregnancy, it can be prescribed for tachycardia, angina pectoris, hypertension, coronary circulatory disorders, cholecystitis, and functional disorders in the digestive system.

For complex diseases, valerian is used only in complex therapy, but during pregnancy this drug is rarely prescribed. More often, women ask the doctor to prescribe valerian when they are tormented by anxiety and worry, which while expecting a child is completely normal and does not require the use of medications.

Can pregnant women take valerian?

Valerian officinalis, or in other words, Cat's herb (I think there is no need to explain why it is called that) is a sedative and also an antispasmodic agent that dilates the coronary vessels, increases gastrointestinal secretion and has a choleretic effect.

It is taken in cases where a person suffers from insomnia, excessive nervous excitability, hysteria, cardiac neuroses, spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, and rushes of blood to the head.

Most often, women drink valerian because they periodically experience mood swings. That's how we are, girls!

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For expectant mothers, these changes occur constantly. This is due to the restructuring of hormonal levels. And the closer the date of birth, the more intense are the worries, stress, insomnia and other negative conditions that can harm mother and baby.

So, why not take 15 drops or a tablet of valerian as before? You can drink it while carrying a baby, but do it in a special way, not thoughtlessly.

Firstly, you need to ask your doctor for permission, because valerian is also a medicine, and any use of pharmaceutical drugs is agreed with the doctor. If he thinks that you need it and there is no threat to the child, then you can safely run for the medicine.

Contraindications and possible adverse reactions

During gestation, a sharp change in hormonal levels occurs. This may be accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms. To eliminate them, experts often prescribe sedatives, in particular, valerian extract, since it is not a potent toxic drug.

The main indications include:

• sleep problems (insomnia, irregular routine);
• increased heart rate (tachycardia);
• severe stressful situations;
• increased uterine tone, both on the posterior and anterior wall of the organ;
• abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract;
• headache;
• low or high blood pressure;
• overexcitement;
• cardiovascular pathologies.

The medicine does not have a teratogenic effect, and therefore cannot lead to pathologies of fetal development. However, in the early stages (in the first trimester), experts do not recommend using it, like any other medicine. This is due to the absence of a placenta and the formation of the baby’s main organs during this period. The drugs can negatively affect the body, so you shouldn’t take risks.

In exceptional cases, doctors may prescribe the drug in the first trimester - in case of a serious threat of miscarriage or a painful condition (toxicosis). It eliminates uterine tone and prevents vomiting. In the second trimester, the baby’s nervous system is formed; valerian and other sedatives are prohibited for pregnant girls during this period. Only for panic attacks can it be prescribed in small doses.

As practice shows, during this period girls most often suffer from sleep disturbances, stomach cramps and migraines. In rare cases, late “toxicosis” (preeclampsia) may occur, accompanied by rapid heartbeat, nausea, low blood pressure and anxiety. Valerian extract helps to cope with this condition. By activating the secretory function of the gastrointestinal mucosa, it is possible to get rid of constipation.

Despite the fact that the drug does not have a negative effect on the fetus, doctors do not exclude the possibility of an individual or nonspecific reaction of the body during this period. It is forbidden to take the medicine if you have diseases of the internal organs (liver, kidneys), depression, inflammation of the small and large intestines, or the likelihood of a stroke.

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Many natural preparations provoke the development of allergic reactions; valerian tablets or infusion from the rhizome are no exception. The maximum dose of the drug per day is six capsules. If it is exceeded, there is a high probability of developing adverse reactions.

These include:

• increased irritability;
• lethargy and weakness;
• constipation;
• bloating;
• rash on the body;
• cardiopalmus;
• nausea and vomiting;
• increased blood pressure.

In early pregnancy, you should be especially careful about the dose, since the formation of the baby’s main organs and systems begins.

If necessary, the extract can be used during pregnancy (with extreme caution). It is of plant origin, so it does not have a strong negative effect on the woman’s body compared to synthetic drugs. The plant acts gently, normalizes blood pressure, and calms the nervous system. The main condition is careful adherence to the dose prescribed by the doctor. If there are contraindications for use, you can replace it with another natural remedy. For example, motherwort, after consulting with a specialist. Important! Whether it is possible to take medications, even natural ones, is decided by the doctor. Experimenting with medications during pregnancy is dangerous.

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Side effects

Among the side effects resulting from taking valerian are:

• increased drowsiness;
• lethargy;
• muscle weakness;
• slowing of psychomotor reactions.

In case of severe overdose (20-fold increase in dose), bradycardia and arrhythmia were diagnosed.

People with low blood pressure should take valerian with caution, as the plant has antihypertensive properties, and in large doses can contribute to a strong decrease in blood pressure readings.

Valerian extract enhances the effectiveness of sleeping pills, as well as sedatives and antispasmodics.

Therefore, it is necessary to inform your doctor about the use of any medications (including vitamin complexes, since valerian tablets contain magnesium).

Product effectiveness

Valerian tends to accumulate in the body, so it does not have a quick, but stable effect. As a rule, it appears after 2 weeks of regular use, when a sufficient amount of active substances accumulates in the body. You should not expect results from a one-time dose of valerian; in emergency cases it is ineffective.

Although valerian is often taken during times of stress or when unable to sleep, its effectiveness in these cases is due more to the placebo effect. Studies have shown that one dose of the drug does not cause objective improvements in emotional state or sleep quality.

Valerian is not a highly effective remedy. Due to the low biological activity of the components, it is ineffective in the treatment of severe disorders of the nervous system when drug treatment is necessary. The antispasmodic and hypotensive effects of valerian are also weak, so it is not used as a high-quality main drug.

Most often, valerian is prescribed when a mild sedative or hypnotic is needed. Very often in such cases you can do without special medications. During pregnancy, you need to carefully evaluate the advisability of using valerian, because its safety during this period has not been confirmed.

Pills and the placebo effect

Regarding valerian tablets, sometimes you can read on various resources that their effectiveness is equal to the placebo effect. In fact, this is indeed true, but it does not work for all medications and not even all forms, but only for tablets.

Making a concentrated product in this form with a sufficient amount of active ingredient is expensive. That's why some manufacturers are being cunning. You can tell if the pills in front of you are the right ones based on the price: it will be surprisingly affordable. As a rule, this is already a basis for suspicion.

There is another way to establish that something is unclean here. Just let your cat sniff the pill, unless, of course, the medicine is coated in some way. Does the animal not react at all? Then you have a “dummy” in front of you.

How to take: dosage

If the instructions for use are carefully followed, the drug does not affect the health of the unborn child and the condition of the mother. The product is available in different dosage forms, the safest being tablets. Alcohol tincture acts faster, but due to the presence of alcohol during pregnancy, it is strictly prohibited. The decoction is not as effective as tablets and tincture, but is allowed for use because it does not contain alcohol. In emergency cases, for example, if the heartbeat has suddenly increased, you can take a few drops of the tincture (preheat).

The dosage of valerian is determined by the attending physician individually; no medications should be taken without his permission. The symptoms, trimester and physical condition of the patient are taken into account. Treatment with tablets is carried out over a long course; a one-time use will not give results. On average, the course of treatment is 14-20 days, but should not last longer than one month. According to the instructions, during pregnancy you can take one capsule 2-3 times a day a few minutes before or after eating.

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The dosage of valerian during pregnancy is determined by the doctor.

Scope of application

In what other cases is the drug under discussion prescribed? As it turns out, valerian helps with blood pressure quite well during pregnancy.

It is also prescribed from:

• stomach pain;
• excessive nervousness;
• with increased fatigue;
• stress;
• tachycardia.

Some doctors generally recommend taking it as often as possible at the first signs of increased irritability. These experts believe that a nervous mother is more harmful to the baby than the plant itself.

Valerian is also prescribed for headaches during pregnancy. True, it doesn’t always help; here you need to take into account the reasons and the degree of the corresponding sensations. Doctors also pay attention to character. For example, for migraines, ordinary painkillers do not work; special ones are used: “Anti-migraine” and others.

And these are not all situations in which the product helps. Valerian often brings the body to its senses when toning the uterus. It’s no secret that spasms can be associated with excessive anxiety, stress, and fears. In this case, a mild sedative is what you need.

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How to take the drug correctly at different times

The dosage of the drug and the duration of treatment with valerian during pregnancy should be determined by a doctor. They may vary depending on the disease and severity of symptoms, as well as other factors that only a doctor can evaluate. However, it is not a decisive factor at what stage of pregnancy a woman is.

All nuances of taking valerian during pregnancy must be agreed upon with a doctor, who will take into account all the individual characteristics of the patient.

Usually doctors prescribe 1-2 tablets of valerian extract or 1 tablespoon of decoction 2-3 times a day. Since valerian is included in different drugs, and the amount of active ingredients in them may differ significantly, the dosage may also vary.

The course of treatment with valerian can last from one week to a month, after which it is recommended to take a break. It is necessary not because valerian is addictive, but because the active ingredients of the drug accumulate in the body and an overdose can occur with prolonged use. It is important to remember that an overdose can occur if the prescribed dose is exceeded one-time or daily.

How does it affect the fetus and placenta?

Numerous studies have found that proper use and the correct dosage of valerian does not cause any harm to the body of a woman or child.

But in case of overdose, the drug can cause an allergic reaction in the fetus, impaired growth and development, hypoxia (usually in the last weeks of pregnancy) and reduce the baby’s muscle tone. In the most extreme case, fetal death is possible.

If used incorrectly, it has a negative effect on the placenta: it promotes detachment and disrupts the functions of the organ. That is why it is important to consult a doctor and carefully follow the instructions!

How can valerian be dangerous during pregnancy?

Valerian has an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. How it affects fetal development and whether it can cause developmental disorders is not known. Due to the lack of scientific data, it cannot be considered safe. Although valerian is not considered a teratogenic drug and some drugs based on it are allowed during pregnancy, it is advisable to refrain from using it in the early stages.

It is unacceptable to conduct experimental studies on pregnant women, and there is no actual confirmed data on the use of valerian in pregnant women.

According to doctors, in some cases, especially with long-term use, valerian can cause the opposite effect. Instead of having an inhibitory effect on the nervous system, it can have an exciting effect. The result may be nervousness, insomnia, rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure.

Other side effects of valerian are also not always desirable during pregnancy:

• Drowsiness, lethargy, apathy, fatigue;
• Nervous overexcitation, insomnia;
• Cardiopalmus;
• Uterine tone;
• High blood pressure;
• Headache;
• Dizziness, loss of consciousness;
• Trembling in hands.

The risk of side effects increases in case of overdose. Therefore, the medicine is not recommended to be taken in large doses or for a long time. Symptoms of overdose may include heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. If you are allergic to the medicine, skin rashes and itching may also occur. In these cases, you should stop taking valerian and contact your doctor.

Valerian: effect on the body

The drug from valerian has been known for a long time and is used as a sleeping pill and sedative. The main component is valerian officinalis extract and additional components:

1. Alkaloids.
2. Isovaleric acid.
3. Borneol.
4. Camphene.
5. Pinen.
6. Special hydrocarbon.

The main effects of the drug on humans:

• depresses the nervous system, thus achieving a calming effect,
• slows down the heart rate,
• dilates large blood vessels,
• relaxes the muscle tissue of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system,
• reduce blood pressure,
• increase bile production.

Contraindications for use by pregnant women

Like most other drugs, valerian is limited in use in the first trimester of pregnancy, because during this period the formation of the most important organs of the fetus occurs. And no doctor can give a 100% guarantee that the drug is not able to influence this process in any way.

Therefore, many doctors avoid prescribing valerian during the first trimester of pregnancy, prescribing it only in extraordinary cases. But if you prescribe valerian in the first trimester, then not as a course, but only situationally (to quickly relieve unwanted effects based on the placebo effect). Such situations, for example, include extreme stress.

When prescribed: instructions for use in different trimesters

The main indications for prescribing valerian are increased anxiety, stressful situations and severe anxiety. Your doctor may also prescribe valerian extract in the following cases:

• insomnia or restless short-term sleep;
• nervous excitability;
• attacks of hysteria;
• migraine;
• heartache;
• spasms of the stomach or uterus (mild to moderate intensity);
• intestinal dyskinesia;
• epigastric pain.

Valerian is often prescribed in the 1st trimester (in the early stages) if there is a real threat of miscarriage. The use of valerian in this case helps to relieve increased uterine tone and nervous tension, which only aggravates the situation.

It is important to note here that valerian is not used as an independent medicine - it is prescribed in combination with other medications to enhance their effectiveness.

In the 2nd and 3rd trimester, valerian tablets are prescribed to prevent uterine tone and premature birth. The drug can also be prescribed to relieve emotional arousal and for the complex treatment of any cardiovascular diseases, in particular arrhythmia, tachycardia, vegetative-vascular dystonia, etc.

Which dosage form to choose

When choosing a sedative, you should consult your doctor. Despite the general recommendations in the instructions, the therapeutic regimen is adjusted depending on the patient’s condition. If quick action is needed, a decision is made to symptomatically prescribe an alcohol tincture, even during early pregnancy.

A decoction of valerian root is used for oral use and for soothing baths. Rhizomes are rarely sold in pharmacies. Raw materials are purchased from herbalists or prepared yourself. If you dug it yourself, you need to pay attention to the condition of the plant after drying. The color of the root should be brown, the structure should be dense, the smell should be only characteristic of this plant.

The root is grated and poured with 1 tbsp. l. 0.25 liters of boiling water, cook for 1 minute. If you increase the heating time, the beneficial substances in the composition will be destroyed and the healing effect will be minimal. Leave for 30 minutes, wrapped in a towel. Prescribed during pregnancy for insomnia, early and late toxicosis, neuroses and tachycardia.

To prepare a solution for a soothing bath, another recipe is used: pour 3-4 tbsp. l. bio raw materials 1 liter of boiling water, cook for 40-60 seconds over low heat, leave for an hour, filter. This amount of decoction is enough for a standard font with a volume of 140 liters. Baths help eliminate nervousness during pregnancy and lactation.

Infusion and tincture

You can take a water infusion of valerian during breastfeeding, pregnancy, and give water to newborns when overexcited. There are several ways to prepare the mixture:

1. Pour a spoonful of dried herbs and steep as tea for 15-20 minutes.
2. Grate valerian root 1493, pour into a glass of boiling water, and heat for half an hour in a water bath. Then cover the dish with a lid and place in a warm place for another 2 hours.
3. It is more convenient to act according to the following algorithm. Prepare powder in advance from the dried rhizome of the plant by grinding it in a coffee grinder. As soon as the need arises, the semi-finished product is filled with water - 1 tbsp. l. 250 ml, and place in a thermos for 2 hours.

It is better to purchase an alcohol tincture at a pharmacy, but you can also prepare it at home. The product helps to quickly normalize the condition, which is very important during pregnancy. To prepare the mixture at home, it is better to take 70% medical alcohol. If you don’t have it, regular vodka without taste improvers, preservatives or flavors will do.

50 g of grated dried root is poured into 0.5 liters of alcohol, sealed with a cork and placed in a dark place for 2 weeks to prevent exposure to sunlight. There is no need to remove the container far; you need to shake it 2-3 times every day. No matter how the herbal tincture is made, the dose is measured in drops.