Motherwort is a natural remedy that is recommended as a sedative. It is sold in the form of dried raw materials or an alcohol tincture, both forms can be taken at home. However, you need to know for sure whether motherwort lowers or increases blood pressure, what effects you can expect after taking it, and how to take the medicine correctly. To do this, it is worth studying the chemical composition of the plant and indications for its use, as well as consulting with your doctor.
Useful qualities of the plant
Motherwort contains many valuable components that have a beneficial effect on the functions of the cardiovascular system and the entire body. The useful substances include the following:
- flavonoids;
- organic compounds - these include malic and citric acid;
- saponins;
- vitamins - the plant includes C, A, E;
- tannins;
- reserpine;
- essential oils.
The unique composition of the plant helps to achieve a number of beneficial effects. Thanks to the use of motherwort, it is possible to obtain the following results:
- Achieve a diuretic effect. The herb increases the glomerular filtration rate. This causes increased formation and removal of fluid from the body. The composition is effective for swelling, which is caused by heart failure. Motherwort also reduces blood pressure by reducing the amount of circulating blood.
- Get an antispasmodic effect. The plant blocks some of the slow calcium channels and relaxes smooth muscles in the body. This increases the filling of organs with arterial blood and improves venous tint.
- Achieve antioxidant effect. The composition normalizes metabolic processes in the cells of the body - primarily in the heart, brain and liver. As a result, the movement of ions through the membrane improves and all valuable components and oxygen supplied with the blood are utilized. In addition, it is possible to prevent dystrophic and degenerative disorders. These include diffuse changes in the myocardium.
- Increase adaptation. Any stress provokes excitation of a number of elements of the nervous system and the sympathetic department. This increases peripheral vascular resistance and stimulates the heart. As a result, the heart rate and ejection fraction increase. In addition, the minute volume of blood increases.
There is information regarding the effect of reserpine, present in motherwort, on protein metabolism and lipid profile. The plant substance reduces the amount of harmful lipids, but has almost no effect on total and healthy cholesterol.
This helps prevent atherosclerosis of the coronary bed and arteries of the head. This ensures the prevention of ischemia, heart attack, chronic cerebral hypoxia and other pathologies of similar origin.
Composition of the drug Motherwort
The most important active ingredient is motherwort extract. The plant has the ability to have an effect on the central nervous system. Flavonoid glycosides found in flowers and stems, as well as alkaloids, saponins and tannins, regulate the state of the nervous system, inhibiting its excitability. In addition, the natural components of the herb can regulate heart rate.
In addition to motherwort extracts, Motherwort forte contains magnesium. This element is indispensable in the formation of nerve connections and impulse transmission. Magnesium is found in all organs and tissues; its deficiency leads to behavioral disorders, decreased resistance to stress, and vulnerability to negative factors. In addition, a lack of magnesium can cause joint pain and night cramps.
Vitamin B6 is another important component of the drug. Without it, magnesium cannot be fully absorbed by the body. This vitamin helps you control your emotions and find the strength not to react sharply to negative information.
How does motherwort help with blood pressure?
Motherwort is a popular medicinal plant that is used in folk and official medicine. The product has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has an anticonvulsant effect.
Herbal preparations are prescribed for sleep disorders, depression, excessive nervousness or vegetative-vascular dystonia. Compositions based on the plant restore blood flow, improve metabolic processes in the myocardium, increase the amplitude of heart contractions and reduce pulse. Motherwort contains reserpine, which has pronounced antispasmodic properties.
Motherwort for blood pressure as an independent medicine can only be used at the initial stage of development of the pathology. At stages 2-3 of hypertension, it is worth using more powerful medications.
The effectiveness of using motherwort for the treatment of arterial hypertension is due to the presence of rutin and quercetin in the composition. These components restore the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. They strengthen the vascular walls and increase their elasticity.
The plant contains vitamins A, C, E. They have a beneficial effect on blood circulation and help cope with pressure fluctuations.
How does it affect blood pressure?
Motherwort contains flavonoids and alkaloids. Thanks to this, it successfully reduces blood pressure.
For this purpose, the herb is used in the form of teas, infusions or decoctions. It is also allowed to use alcohol-containing tinctures. Pharmacies sell ready-made products based on the plant.
The most effective composition based on motherwort is tincture. It is this dosage form that ensures rapid entry of the substance into the blood. The use of tablet drugs allows you to get a slower and more gradual effect. To quickly reduce blood pressure, you should give preference to an alcohol tincture.
Motherwort is actively used as a sedative. With nervous tension or stressful situations, not only pressure surges occur, but also general weakness. Sometimes blood pressure drops sharply.
It is worth considering that using motherwort at low blood pressure is prohibited. It will further reduce the indicators, which will cause fainting. In such a situation, you should choose another sedative drug.
Motherwort for low blood pressure can be used exclusively in combination with other medications that will help regulate this indicator. The product can be combined with peony and wormwood. An equally successful combination is obtained with the participation of peony or hawthorn.
How to take for hypertension?
If the upper pressure is at the level of 160 points, motherwort tincture will help to quickly and effectively normalize the indicator. At higher parameters, the need for potent drugs arises. You can make the tincture yourself or purchase it at the pharmacy.
To prepare the product at home you will need: 20 g of plant leaves and 100 ml of vodka. The raw materials need to be crushed, placed in a glass container and filled with vodka. Close tightly, shake the container and place in a dark and cool place for a week.
The finished composition must be filtered and taken 30 drops each, mixed with a glass of warm water. It is recommended to do this 3 times a day. The evening dosage is increased to 50 drops per dose. This helps prevent blood pressure from increasing at night.
The use of the product helps reduce blood pressure, normalize blood flow, increase heart contractions and slow down the pulse. Formulations based on motherwort have a cumulative effect. The maximum effectiveness of motherwort is observed after 2-3 weeks of use.
Can I take it if I have hypotension?
In the standard version, the plant is prohibited from being used for hypotension. The only exception is the use of alcohol tincture. The presence of alcohol allows you to slightly increase the pressure.
The composition is allowed to be taken only in the absence of clinical symptoms of low blood pressure. This may be edema, venous stagnation or chronic hypoxia of organs. It is strictly forbidden to take the composition at very low blood pressure parameters.
Motherwort for blood pressure during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the female body experiences high stress. At this time, there is a risk of disturbances in the functioning of the heart, blood vessels and nervous system. To prevent pressure drops and strengthen the heart muscle and blood vessels, it is worth using herbal remedies. These include motherwort and valerian.
During pregnancy, these remedies can be used in the form of a weak infusion or in tablet form. Any products containing alcohol are strictly prohibited.
In addition, before starting treatment you should definitely consult a gynecologist. The doctor will evaluate the appropriateness of using the drug and select the optimal dosage.
Eating motherwort can cause uterine contractions. It can cause a miscarriage. Therefore, it is important to strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and strictly adhere to the dosage.
Contraindications for use
Herbal infusions should not be taken by people with hypotension or a slow pulse, as chest pain appears, dizziness begins, general condition worsens, and blood pressure drops. It is necessary to refuse herbal medicine in case of pathologies of the digestive organs. When combined with other drugs, the tincture can provoke unpleasant phenomena in the form of
- heartburn;
- vomit;
- flatulence.
People prone to allergies should experiment with their health with caution. This herb normalizes blood pressure, but before taking it you should study the instructions and follow the dosage.
Recipe for motherwort with hawthorn and valerian for blood pressure
Motherwort has a beneficial effect on the functions of the heart, blood vessels and nervous system. To enhance the therapeutic effect, it can be combined with valerian and hawthorn.
To prepare the remedy, you should take 10 g of plants and 200 ml of vodka. The plant material must be crushed, poured with vodka and tightly closed. Leave in a dark and cool place for 1 week. The container should be shaken periodically. The finished product should be filtered and taken 30-40 drops three times a day.
The tincture helps lower blood pressure and reduce heart rate. The product helps strengthen vascular walls and normalize blood flow.
Another popular remedy is an infusion with the addition of Corvalol. To make it, you need to take 10 g of motherwort, hawthorn, valerian and Corvalol and 0.5 liters of water. Dry herbs should be filled with water, added the preparation and placed in a steam bath for a quarter of an hour. Remove from heat, cover with a towel and leave for 2 hours.
Strain the finished mixture through a sieve and drink 2 large spoons 5 times a day. The drug helps reduce blood pressure and heart rate.
Features of the use of motherwort by pregnant women
Women carrying a child often experience swollen legs, pressure surges and vomiting. Is it possible to drink herbal infusion in this situation, expectant mothers wonder. Doctors recommend that they use teas and decoctions from the celandine herb to eliminate:
- nervous tension;
- toxicosis;
- stomach upset.
However, alcohol tincture has a negative effect on the developing fetus, despite its function of lowering blood pressure, and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Recommendations for collecting raw materials
Motherwort tincture can be made from personally collected raw materials or from pharmaceutical herbs. To prepare raw materials yourself, you need to follow these recommendations:
- Collect grass during flowering period. This should be done from mid-June to mid-August.
- During collection, you need to carefully trim off the tops with inflorescences. The diameter of the stem should be at least 4-5 mm. The length of the cut part should be 35-40 cm.
- The tops should be tied into bunches and hung in the shade in the fresh air. They can also be dried in a well-ventilated area.
- Motherwort can be dried without hanging. In this case, the grass must be laid out on a flat surface. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
Properly dried motherwort should retain its shape and not break. The plant retains its beneficial properties for 2-2.5 years.
Review of pharmaceutical drugs
Today there are many pharmaceutical products on sale that are made on the basis of motherwort. The most popular medications include the following:
- Motherwort Forte in tablet form. The drug is indicated for the treatment of variable hypertension. It helps to cope with vegetative-vascular disorders. Motherwort forte for blood pressure can be taken 1-2 tablets twice a day.
- Extract in tablets. The drug is used to treat pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, diseases of the thyroid gland, and lesions of the digestive system. It is recommended to drink 1 tablet 3-4 times a day. The medicine should be taken 1 hour before meals.
- Heart extract-VIS capsules. In addition to motherwort, the product includes magnesium. This component helps improve heart function and prevents the development of arrhythmia. It also contains vitamin B6. It is responsible for the exchange of ions and other substances in neurocytes. The drug is used for increased excitability and hypertension. The drug is prescribed 1 capsule 4 times a day. It is taken half an hour before meals.
Contraindications and side effects
Motherwort is a useful natural remedy, but it should also only be taken on the advice of a doctor. Its active ingredients have a mild sedative effect, so there are several contraindications in which the drug can negatively affect the patient’s well-being. These include:
- hypotension - decreased blood pressure;
- pregnancy period;
- bradycardia - slow heart rate;
- chronic heart and vascular diseases, especially heart failure;
- frequent drowsiness, attacks of asthenia and chronic fatigue;
- individual allergic reactions.
Before starting a course of taking motherwort, you should consider its compatibility with other medications. It is not prescribed simultaneously with drugs from the group of neuroleptics, tranquilizers, as well as antiepileptic and sedative drugs.
