What is the power of hawthorn tea?
People have known about the healing properties of hawthorn since antiquity. That is why they used this truly unique plant for the treatment of many diseases.This article will tell you about the power of hawthorn tea.
Benefit
The healing properties of hawthorn are diverse. Tea made from the berries of this plant helps with a variety of diseases.
Even in ancient China, people began to use hawthorn berries to treat various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. And also, Chinese doctors have successfully used this remarkable plant not only to eliminate intestinal colic and gastric disorders, but also used for the treatment of nervous and mental diseases. They ordered tea made from hawthorn berries to people who had just suffered some serious nervous shocks or had depressive disorders.
Even the well-known physician Avicenna widely used this plant in his therapy, since he valued his healing properties. Thus, the ancient physician noted in his scientific works that hawthorn fruits are capable of “suppressing” the outflow of bile even more strongly than mountain ash. That is why he prescribed to drink tea from hawthorn berries to people with digestive problems.
The healing properties of hawthorn were known throughout the world. So, in our country, tea made from this plant was used for various diseases of the heart and blood vessels. And also tried to use it with heart palpitations and problems with heart rhythm disturbances. Such tea was prescribed to people who suffered from high blood pressure - hypertension.
The doctors of the XVI century used hawthorn tea as an astringent. They prescribed it to people who suffered from dysentery or other diseases accompanied by diarrhea. In the XIX century, tea made from hawthorn berries began to be prescribed to people who suffered from cardiovascular diseases.
It should be noted that modern doctors sometimes resort to the appointment of tea made from this plant. They prescribe it to patients in order to prevent the progression of atherosclerosis - blocking the lumen of blood vessels with atherosclerotic plaques. As a rule, this pathology develops already in adulthood and may even lead to the development of a heart attack.
Drinking hawthorn tea has a positive effect on the heart and blood vessels, thereby preventing the development of dangerous diseases.
Some doctors recommend drinking such a healing tea and people who have diabetes. Hawthorn berries have a beneficial effect on the vascular system. This is a good prevention of various complications of diabetes.
Tea made from hawthorn can be prescribed to people who suffer from problems with sleep - insomnia. Often in this case, hawthorn berries are combined with other plants - for example, chamomile or motherwort. This tea is best used in the afternoon or an hour before going to bed. Course taking this drink will help normalize sleep.
Beneficial features
Hawthorn berries - a great storehouse of various vitamins. So, they contain a large amount of vitamin C - the most important antioxidant, which provides us with good immunity.
The antidiarrheal properties of this plant are due to the fact that it contains quite a lot of pectic substances with astringent action. The presence of this property determines the possibility of using tea made from hawthorn for the treatment of intestinal disorders occurring with the development of frequent loose stools - diarrhea.
And also in the berries of this plant there are quite a lot of various macro-and microelements necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. So, the fruit contains:
- potassium (164-173 mg per 100 g);
- iron (0.5-0.6 mg per 100 g);
- sodium (1.2 mg per 100 g);
- manganese (27-34 mg per 100g).
Not only berries, but also leaves of a plant possess useful properties.They contain vitamin P, which has a positive effect on blood vessels. Interestingly, a high concentration of this important substance is preserved not only in green, but even in fallen hawthorn leaves. Adding hawthorn leaves to tea is shown to people who have various cardiovascular diseases.
Contraindications
In addition to the indications for receiving hawthorn tea, there are a number of limitations. Some people should not use such a drink, because instead of being good, it can be harmful to the body. So, this drink is undesirable to take people suffering from low blood pressure. In this case, they have a high risk of developing severe dizziness and the appearance of general weakness. In some cases, hawthorn tea can cause nausea.
People who, due to their heart rhythm pathologies, are forced to take antiarrhythmic drugs should also be very careful when using hawthorn. The combination of herbal medicine and drugs can have a negative effect on the heart. Before using tea made from hawthorn fruit, they should always consult with their cardiologist.
And also you should not take this tea to people who have an individual intolerance or an allergic reaction to hawthorn. In this case, the use of tea can provoke an exacerbation of the disease.
Do not use tea from hawthorn fruit and people suffering from constipation. The astringent effect of this plant can slow down regular bowel movements, which contributes to the progression of constipation. Also hawthorn tea may not be suitable for people who suffer from chronic colitis, accompanied by a tendency to constipation.
A separate question is whether it is possible to use hawthorn tea for pregnant women and nursing mothers. In most cases, the answer is no. However, in some cases, the doctor may still recommend the use of such tea in certain pathologies. In this way, Before drinking hawthorn tea, a woman who is in a “position” should always consult with your doctor.
Childhood is another contraindication for hawthorn tea. It is believed that to use such a drink for children under 12 years should not be.
A child suffering from cardiovascular disease, without prior consultation with the pediatric cardiologist, cannot use hawthorn tea.
How to cook at home?
There are many ways to make this tasty and healthy drink. You can prepare the fruits and leaves of hawthorn independently. With proper storage, such plant materials may not deteriorate over several years. If you really do not want to engage in the harvesting of plants, you can use the already prepared tea, which is sold in a pharmacy. Herbal tea made from hawthorn is usually available in sachets. Use them conveniently. To make a healthy drink, you simply need to fill the bag with boiling water and wait a few minutes according to the package instructions. For better brewing, it is better to close the glass or cup with a lid.
Currently, there is a huge variety of different types of tea. Useful herbal tea can be prepared only from hawthorn or contain other plant components. Such mixed tea is usually prescribed for any pathologies. But also for additional flavoring of tea it can include a variety of berries and fruits that improve the taste.
Simple recipe
Everyone can cope with brewing a cup of healthy drink. The recipe is very simple. In order to cook it, you need 1 teaspoon of crushed vegetable raw materials. It is better to brew tea in a glass container. Raw materials are poured with a glass of boiling water and covered with a lid.
Next, the tea is left to insist. It usually takes 20-30 minutes. Do not use too hot tea. Comfortable temperature of the drink will be more pleasant for a healthy tea.
You can sweeten tea with ordinary sugar, but it will be more useful if you add a little honey to it. Some add a slice of lemon to the drink for even more flavor and taste. The concentration of tea depends largely on the amount of raw materials. Drinking too concentrated drink is not worth it, as it can have a negative effect on the body.
On the properties and application of hawthorn fruit, see the following video.