How and in which cases to use Hawthorn Extract?
The healing properties of hawthorn are known since ancient times - it was used in its practice by Chinese and Indian doctors to treat intestinal disorders. However, the spectrum of its effects on the body is very wide: hawthorn has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract, normalizes blood pressure, improves the blood supply to the brain and has a calming effect.
Hawthorn Extract (Extractum Crataegi fluidum in Latin) is a drug that is obtained from the fruits of five main varieties (blood-red, green-fruited, prickly, five-pedigree and one-pest). The berries contain large amounts of vitamin C, magnesium, organic acids, flavonoids, pectins and other beneficial substances. Such a preparation is produced in the form of tincture, in tablets and in filter bags for infusion. Sold in pharmacies, has an affordable price and is available without a prescription.
Consider in detail the cases in which it is advisable to use liquid hawthorn extract.
Impact on the cardiovascular system
The use of this tool is indicated for such disorders as: chronic heart failure, cardialgia, IRR, hypertension, heart rhythm failure. Efficacy is due to the following pharmacological properties:
- blood flow increases in the coronary vessels, as a result, the heart receives a sufficient amount of oxygen, which contributes to its normal functioning;
- cerebral circulation improves, thereby reducing stress levels, general weakness and dizziness;
- reduced heart rate.
As a result of hawthorn extract exposure to the body, cholesterol levels are also reduced, which contributes to good vascular permeability and prevents the occurrence of sclerotic phenomena.
The drug is used orally in the form of tincture, the doctor can individually select the dosage, although the instructions for use indicate that the dose is twenty drops three times a day after meals. It is worth remembering that the extract can not be used on an empty stomach - it can cause stomach discomfort, nausea and even vomiting.
Impact on the nervous system
Hawthorn has a mild sedative effect on the nervous system, which is why its use is indicated for menopausal neuroses, fatigue, stress, insomnia, and anxiety. In the latter case, the therapeutic effect occurs within 15-20 minutes after ingestion. Use carefully with other sedatives, as the effect of both of them will increase.
Impact on the digestive system
Due to its composition, rich in trace elements, hawthorn extract has a calming and regenerating effect on the stomach walls, which is indicated for gastritis, improves intestinal motility and helps with flatulence. The work of the gallbladder normalizes, preventing the formation of stones. It has a beneficial effect on the liver, which contributes to a better elimination of toxins from the body and a general improvement in well-being.
In addition to all the above properties, hawthorn extract has a diuretic effect, which reduces swelling and reduces the burden on the kidneys.
Cooking tincture at home
In order to prepare a healthy product at home, you need to start with the preparation of raw materials for infusion. The easiest option is to buy ready-made dried fruit at a pharmacy or specialty store. If the components will be harvested independently, you should follow a few simple tips.
Upon receipt of the extract from the flowers you need to know that the buds are collected at the beginning of flowering, until they are fully opened.Depending on your geographic location, the beginning of flowering occurs at the end of spring or the very beginning of summer. It was during this period that the maximum concentration of beneficial substances was collected in the inflorescences.
Try to collect in dry weather - this will speed up the drying process and keep the raw materials in the best possible way. Keep material in a warm, well-ventilated place. Eliminate all sources of moisture, including night dew.
Berries for tinctures collected in early autumn, when they are ripe enough. Harvest is worth collecting until it is cold, otherwise it will spoil the taste of berries and lead to the loss of some of the vitamins. To dry the fruit should be at a high temperature of about fifty degrees Celsius, within a few hours. You can use special dryers for vegetables and fruits, which will greatly simplify the process and create all the necessary conditions at once.
The next step is to put the berries tightly in a jar and pour alcohol so that the liquid covers the fruit. After that, the container should be tightly closed and removed in a dark place for a month. Once a week, the billet should be removed and shaken, which gives the drink a richer taste. After three weeks, you can add honey and cardamom, it will add spice and expand the range of useful substances. When the color of the tincture becomes reddish, it can be poured into smaller containers and removed for permanent storage in the refrigerator.
Use the product as a liquid extract purchased in a pharmacy.
To obtain a tincture of flowers, you need to take dry raw materials and alcohol in the ratio of 1 to 10, that is, for 10 grams of inflorescences you need 100 ml of alcohol. Mixed, store in a dark place for ten days.
A much greater effect can bring an infusion cooked on the leaves. It must be diluted in a ratio of 1 to 1, for example, 50 grams of dry raw materials need 50 ml of liquid. Maintain the mixture should be for four weeks.
When can not apply hawthorn extract?
With all the invaluable benefits, there are still cases when using this remedy is contraindicated.
Hawthorn tincture cannot be used in children under twelve years of age, since the effect of the components on an unformed organism is not fully understood, and the use of alcohol is undesirable for children.
Not recommended to use the tool during pregnancy or during lactation - due to the fact that hawthorn affects the cardiovascular system, which is already under heavy stress, and alcohol, again, can harm the fetus.
The use of tincture in case of low blood pressure is excluded, otherwise it may aggravate the situation. Also, do not use hawthorn tincture for liver diseases, stomach ulcers and serious brain diseases.
In any case, it is not necessary to engage in self-treatment, it is better to consult with your family doctor first.
Precautionary measures
Do not use hawthorn at the same time with other drugs to avoid their interaction. Not all reactions are studied, and the effect of the use of certain drugs is enhanced by the active components of the extract.
Eliminate cold drinks for at least half an hour after drinking the infusion. Failure to follow this simple rule can cause severe intestinal colic. Do not perform the procedure while eating, as the hawthorn reaction with food may be unpredictable.
Please note that the rate of reaction to surrounding stimuli decreases. Refrain from controlling complex machinery and other work requiring high precision.
With an overdose of the drug, a decrease in heart rate (bradycardia), a decrease in blood pressure, and, as a result, drowsiness, general weakness and confusion are observed. In cases of a slight overdose, it is necessary to immediately discontinue the infusion, then the symptoms will pass on their own and without additional treatment.
Reviews
Hawthorn tincture is a tool made entirely from natural ingredients. It is used everywhere in different regions of the country and has a large number of positive reviews.
Most often, this drug is used as an excellent sedative, not containing the notorious "synthetics". Tincture helps to easily cope with stress and overwork.
It is also noted that the periodic use of hawthorn extract is an excellent means of preventing cardiovascular diseases and vascular dystonia. According to some, moderate use of the infusion improves the male body functions.
Review dry "Hawthorn Extract", see below.
