If you experience excessive excitability and subsequent insomnia, you should not immediately turn to medications that have too strong an effect and have a whole list of side effects. Medicinal herbs can come to the rescue, but you don’t have to prepare them yourself. They can be purchased in large assortments in pharmacies. A well-known plant often found along roads and in fields - motherwort - will help you calm down and improve your sleep. But its use also has contraindications and specific rules of administration. It is not always combined with other plants; strict adherence to the dosage recipe is necessary.
What does motherwort treat?
The medicine is taken for various diseases and problematic conditions, having a positive effect on all organs and systems of the human body:
- The cardiovascular system. With high blood pressure, motherwort helps normalize heart rhythm. It is prescribed for myocardium, angina, shortness of breath, and other heart diseases. The plant improves the condition and movement of blood.
- Central nervous system. The herb has a positive effect on the mental and emotional state, helps cope with stress, depression, insomnia, anxiety, and headaches. Its effect on the nervous system is similar to that of valerian.
- Digestive organs. The herb is useful for problems with the gastrointestinal tract, fights colic, spasms and pain.
- Urinary system. Used to treat cystitis and relieve swelling.
- Respiratory system. Decoctions based on motherwort help with severe coughs, colds, and pneumonia.
- Endocrinology. The herb removes toxic substances, stabilizes metabolic processes, and is effective for thyroid pathologies.
Does motherwort help with insomnia?
Insomnia is a disorder of the sleep-wake cycle. This problem occurs in many people and develops against a background of stress, concomitant diseases, and nervousness.
The problem with sleep is serious; prolonged absence of normal night rest leads to disruption of the heart muscle, pathologies of the nervous system, and other diseases. Can motherwort help with insomnia? The answer to this question can only be yes.
The calming properties of motherwort are three times stronger than those of valerian root. The plant also affects the quality of sleep itself:
- relieves nervous tension, spasms and helps to relax and take the most comfortable position for relaxation;
- reduces blood pressure and anxiety.
Motherwort allows you to quickly fall into a healthy, restful sleep that will not be accompanied by disturbing dreams.
Contraindications
Motherwort has a minimal number of contraindications. These include:
- personal intolerance to the constituent components;
- allergy to medicine;
- vein disease;
- thrombosis.
The instructions for the drugs say that you should avoid taking them during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In such circumstances, individual consultation with a specialist is necessary.
It is allowed to use with caution for hypotension, since the plant can greatly reduce blood pressure and cause a drowsy and lethargic state.
Motherwort, melatonin or sleeping pills? What medications really help improve sleep?
Tranquilizers, Z-hypnotics and antihistamines
Let's move on to drugs that have a fairly pronounced hypnotic effect.
The most commonly used in domestic practice are benzodiazepines (phenazepam, triazolam, clonazepam, etc.), Z-hypnotics (zopiclone, zolpidem, zaleplon) and antihistamines (doxylamine). These drugs do not differ significantly in the strength of their hypnotic effect, but each group has a number of features. The main advantage of benzodiazepine tranquilizers is their low price. However, authors practically do not prescribe them in their practice. This is because, compared to Z-hypnotics and antihistamines, benzodiazepines:
- greater overall risk of various side effects;
- more residual effects the day after taking the drug;
- more unwanted interactions with other medications;
- greater risk of developing physical dependence;
- greater negative impact on sleep structure.
Benzodiazepines are available by prescription.
The main difference between Z-hypnotics within the group is the duration of action. Zopiclone (Somnol, Imovan) - eight hours, zolpidem (Sanval, Ivadal) - six hours, zaleplon (Sonata) - four hours. If it is necessary to ensure a full eight-hour sleep, it is preferable to prescribe zopiclone. It is indicated for patients with difficulty falling asleep and maintaining sleep. Zopiclone can be used situationally, in short (3–5 days) or longer courses (2–3 weeks). Zolpidem can also be used for problems falling asleep and maintaining sleep, but it is advisable to prescribe it if less time is allocated for sleep (6-7 hours). Zaleplon is indicated for patients with problems falling asleep due to its short period of action. This drug can also be used in the middle of the night if there are more than four hours left before the expected rise. Zaleplon can be used situationally in case of problems falling asleep due to circadian sleep disorders, as well as during flights that last four hours or more.
The antihistamine drug doxylamine (Donormil, Reslip) is widely used for acute insomnia and has a good safety profile. The duration of action of doxylamine is 6–8 hours, and therefore it can be prescribed to patients with difficulty falling asleep and maintaining sleep. Typically, the duration of taking the drug is from two to five days, but can be increased by the doctor if necessary. Doxylamine is the only sleeping pill that can be used in any trimester of pregnancy. The drug is available with a doctor's prescription.
Please note that benzodiazepines, Z-hypnotics and antihistamines may aggravate obstructive sleep apnea. If you snore loudly and/or those around you have noticed that you stop breathing during sleep, then it is necessary to conduct an appropriate examination and clarify the diagnosis or refrain from using these groups of drugs.
These groups of drugs impair the ability to drive vehicles and operate machinery, so during the treatment period the patient should refrain from such activities. The duration of a continuous course of sleeping pills and tranquilizers (with the exception of melatonin, which, although not actually a sleeping pill, is often automatically classified in this group) should be minimal. It is undesirable to take them for more than four weeks, as psychological and then physical dependence on the drug may form.
Motherwort infusion
The recipe for preparing the infusion is the same as for tea. The only difference is the duration of infusion. You need to take 1 tbsp. l. herbs, pour 200 ml of boiled hot water and leave to infuse for an hour. Afterwards you need to strain and use the motherwort in its finished form. Depending on the condition, you can take half or a quarter of a glass 2-3 times a day. This infusion copes well with nervous excitement, stress, and helps with indigestion, colic, flatulence, and gastrointestinal diseases that are caused by “nerves.” This infusion also helps to establish a regular menstrual cycle, has a positive effect on the visual organs, and helps with palpitations and vegetative-vascular dystonia.
To prepare tea, you also need to take 1-2 tbsp. l, pour boiling water, leave to infuse for 15 minutes, strain. Every other day you can take a glass of this tea. The treatment course can last 3-4 weeks.
Folk recipes
Motherwort in folk medicine can be used in any form that is available for self-preparation: decoctions, alcohol and water infusions, teas.
The herb has a bitter taste and an astringent effect on the mucous membranes, so its use for medicinal purposes is especially effective during the period of respiratory diseases. It will reduce phlegm production, eliminate spasms in the bronchi and reduce inflammation.
Tea with motherwort
- 2 tbsp. spoons of dried leaves of the plant;
- 250 ml of pure cold water.
Mix the ingredients, put on the fire and bring to a boil. Cover tightly with a lid and leave for 10 minutes. cool. The tea should be drunk on the same day, the norm is half a glass at a time. In addition to its calming effect, tea with motherwort will have a rejuvenating effect on the body.
Broader treatment goals can be achieved by enriching the tea with other medicinal herbs:
- hawthorn (2-3 dried fruits) - for angina pectoris, rheumatic carditis;
- valerian (5 drops of alcohol tincture), viburnum (5 dried fruits) - normalizes blood pressure, reduces temperature during colds;
- cudweed and heather (1 tablespoon each) - for insomnia caused by stress and neurosis;
- mistletoe (2 tablespoons of dry plant) - cleaning blood vessels, treating hypertension;
- horsetail (1 tbsp) - weight loss, cleansing the body.
Infusion
To prepare the infusion, it is better to take a mix of dried medicinal herbs:
- 2 tbsp. spoons of motherwort;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of pharmaceutical chamomile;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of St. John's wort;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of yarrow;
- 500 ml hot water (not boiling water).
Pour one tablespoon of the resulting mixture of dry herbs with hot water and stir. cover with a lid and leave for 30 minutes. The infusion can be strained or drunk as is. Take half a glass half an hour before meals.
Decoction
- 2 tbsp. spoons of dry grass;
- 500 ml boiling water.
Pour water over the raw material and leave for 30 minutes. Take 0.5 cups, it is better to postpone taking the tincture until the evening.
Motherwort decoction can be taken not only internally; baths with the addition of decoction have a good relaxing effect. 500 ml of the decoction, preheated and strained, is poured into a bath of water. It is important that the water temperature does not exceed 38 degrees.
You can immerse yourself in the bath completely or do it only for your feet. Duration of stay in the medicinal decoction is 15 minutes before bedtime.
Alcohol tincture of motherwort
Medicinal tincture can be purchased at a pharmacy, its cost is low. You can cook it yourself:
- 5 parts alcohol (70%);
- 1 part dry motherwort herb.
Pour alcohol into the raw material and place it in a cool, dark place to infuse for 1 month. After a month, strain the tincture. Take 30-60 drops added to half a glass of clean water. Take 30 minutes before meals or 2 hours after. For insomnia - 30 minutes before bedtime.
The pharmaceutical product has detailed instructions, which you should read carefully and follow the dosage. If you prepare the tincture yourself, do not exceed the recommended dose or refer to the instructions for the pharmaceutical alcohol infusion for additional information.
It is worth remembering that motherwort has a cumulative effect during therapy. The first improvements will begin to appear after 2 weeks of taking the plant in one form or another. Complex treatment of insomnia lasts from 2 to 4 weeks. The main thing is regularity and compliance with the dosage.
Healing properties of tincture
Motherwort tincture in alcohol is a greenish-brown liquid. In addition to cardiac and sedative properties, the drug has medicinal properties:
- anticonvulsant;
- astringent;
- antipyretic;
- diuretic;
- antibacterial - used for skin;
- expectorant;
- hemostatic;
- cleansing;
- restorative;
- normalizing the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Alcohol tincture
To prepare a tincture at home, it is better to use 70% alcohol. Alcohol tincture can be taken for all previously described diseases and problems. It is a common medicinal form of the plant.
The duration of the treatment course is determined by a specialist, taking into account the severity of the condition, the presenting symptoms and the personal characteristics of the human body. The maximum dosage is 30 drops 3 times a day. The drops should be diluted in a glass of boiled water. Contraindications for use are described above.
Plant composition
In herbal medicine, motherwort has been used for many hundreds of years; it has a calming effect and can be used for hypertension and to relieve painful spasms. For a long time, official medicine did not pay attention to the rich composition of the plant.
In the first half of the last century, the sedative effect of the herb was noticed and alcohol tinctures, decoctions and tablet preparations with motherwort appeared in the pharmacy chain.
Chemical composition:
- organic acids;
- tannins;
- microelements - calcium, sulfur, potassium;
- vitamins A, C, group B;
- essential oils;
- glycosides;
- alkaloids;
- flavonoids.
Use during pregnancy
Appointed:
- To restore hormonal balance, strengthen the immune system, reduce psycho-emotional overexcitation and relieve spasms.
- It is used as a hemostatic agent in combination with others for uterine bleeding.
Indicated for use in the form of infusions, decoctions and teas. Contraindications: tinctures containing alcohol.
You should take medications with caution at the beginning of pregnancy and stop them in the 3rd trimester due to the antispasmodic effect, leading to a change in the tone of the uterus.
The use of any medications must be agreed upon with the gynecologist observing the woman.
“Valerian + motherwort Forte”: instructions for use
The composition of this drug is also enriched with valerian extract. Both of these plants have a pronounced sedative effect. If the effect of motherwort extract alone turns out to be weak for the patient, then it is worth trying its combination with valerian.
Reviews of the drug “Valerian + Motherwort Forte” report that when taken immediately half an hour before bedtime, a person almost always falls asleep. At the same time, there are no night awakenings or nightmares. The morning after taking the drug, the head is not “wobbly”, the state is not broken - people cheerfully begin to perform their work duties. While taking the drug, it is better to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, since such a combination can cause excessive sedation and the patient may fall into an alcoholic coma.
Preparations containing motherwort extract
The most popular preparations containing motherwort extract include:
- "Motherwort Forte" from "Evalar";
- tinctures with motherwort in alcohol (many pharmaceutical factories produce this product);
- “Leonwort extract” in tablet form;
- “Valerian + motherwort Forte”;
- herbal mixture “Phytosedan No. 3”.
All these funds are relatively cheap. All of them are good in the fight against insomnia. Only the release form is different - some people find it more convenient to use drops, others prefer tablets.
How to drink motherwort for sleep? It all depends on which drug you choose. Different manufacturers have slightly different instructions for use.
Tips on how to normalize sleep without taking medications
Before purchasing this or that remedy for insomnia at the pharmacy, try to normalize your sleep yourself:
- A couple of hours before bedtime, do not watch TV, read or listen to music.
- Walking in the fresh air will help you relax.
- Do not sort things out or talk to unpleasant people before going to bed.
- Give up bad habits - quit smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Change your job if it provokes excessive psycho-emotional stress.
- Have dinner about a couple of hours before you plan to go to bed.
