Does hawthorn increase or decrease blood pressure?
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Many people wonder if hawthorn raises or lowers blood pressure. This question is very relevant, because the hawthorn is quite widely used in various means.
However, if used incorrectly, this remedy may not improve health, but, on the contrary, cause significant damage to it. That is why it is worth understanding the features of the use of this plant.
Useful properties of the plant
Most experts agree that the beneficial effect of this plant on the body is due to the inclusion of a large number of flavonoids and plant polyphenols in its composition. These substances are responsible for giving the fruits of the plant a certain color. In addition, these substances contribute to the normalization of the state of blood vessels and are responsible for neutralizing free radicals.
The plant contains:
- Querticin.
This component is responsible for maintaining vascular elasticity and reducing capillary permeability. Quite widely, this substance is used to prevent diseases of the brain and cardiovascular system.
- Hyperoside.
This substance is responsible for the accelerated removal of excess glucose. In addition, it activates the production of oxygen and enriches the circulatory system with potassium ions.
- Vitexin.
This substance is responsible for the expansion of the lumen of blood vessels, and also significantly improves the passage of metabolic processes in the region of the heart.
Flowers and fruits of the plant have an additional effect on the body. These parts of the plant contain:
- Ursolic acid.
This substance has a healing effect on the body.
- Oleanolic acid.
This component activates blood circulation in the region of the heart. In addition, this substance normalizes the functioning of the kidneys and liver.
- caffeic acid.
This acid has an antibacterial effect, and also contributes to a significant release of bile.
The fruits of hawthorn contain a fairly large amount of:
- Carotene.
- Vitamins A, C, E, K.
- Sorbitol.
- Calcium.
- Magnesium.
- Zinc.
- Tannins.
The effect of hawthorn on the body
Taking infusions or other remedies based on this plant significantly improves the condition of the whole organism.
Hawthorn affects the following organs and systems:
- Heart.
This plant expands the vascular gaps and helps to increase muscle tone. It also speeds up blood circulation, which helps to saturate the body with oxygen. In addition, with the correct intake of funds based on this plant, the work of the heart muscle is stabilized.
- Vessels.
Preparations based on this plant contribute to the normalization of blood clotting and a significant reduction in cholesterol levels.
- Nervous system.
Means based on this plant, and especially infusions, produce a calming effect, help reduce the excitability of the nervous system. Due to these properties, drugs are often used to treat insomnia. Hawthorn for hypertension is used as an additional remedy.
- Digestive tract.
Reception of hawthorn tinctures helps to cope with the main manifestations of gastritis. Often, remedies based on this plant are used in the treatment of digestive problems in children.
Many experts agree that this plant normalizes blood pressure. This means that in hypertension it lowers blood pressure, and in hypotension it raises it.
With hypertension, hawthorn-based remedies do not produce a significant effect. This is due to the fact that the pressure is quite stable. Similarly, there are remedies for hypotension due to a significant decrease in vascular tone.
Quite often, experts recommend using preparations based on this plant, as well as chamomile and motherwort, as an additional remedy for the treatment of hypertension. These herbs calm the nervous system, so they are often used in the treatment of hypertension caused by psycho-emotional stress.
Most often, this plant is used to prevent the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis. However, it should be borne in mind that such a tool is used only as an auxiliary. The use of this plant for prevention is due to the fact that the substances that make up its fruits prevent the development of atherosclerosis. Most often, high blood pressure in adulthood is due to the development of this disease. In addition, the prevention of this disease will help prevent the development of various complications against its background.
Rules for the use of hawthorn
One of the most well-known means that produces a beneficial effect on the body is fruit juice. Juice normalizes blood circulation and the digestive tract.
Also quite often, experts recommend the use of tea. To make tea from hawthorn, you need to steam a few berries overnight. Other herbs can also be added. It is best to drink tea in the morning. It is worth noting that you need to steam the fruits as a whole, since with this method of preparation, they retain more useful substances. Treatment with this remedy lasts 2 weeks.
Special infusions can be prepared from various dried parts of this plant. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour boiling water over the berries and insist for 12 hours. Take half a glass of infusion several times a day. This tincture helps to get rid of arrhythmia, normalize the functioning of the nervous system, and stabilize the work of the heart with high blood pressure. Treatment with infusion lasts 3 weeks.
You can also prepare an infusion of crushed fruits. To do this, pour them with boiling water and insist for half an hour. The remedy is taken in the same proportions before meals. Treatment should be carried out within a week.
In some cases, the tincture is prepared on the flowers. The color of the plant is infused with alcohol for several days. The tincture is filtered before use. A few drops of tincture are taken 2 times a day. Flower-based tinctures are mainly used for the prevention of hypertension. Treatment with a remedy on flowers takes 3 weeks.
Hawthorn is taken in courses of 2 weeks, between which there is a week break. But it is worth remembering that treatment with the help of these funds is exclusively additional in nature. Therefore, it is necessary to use various folk remedies based on this plant only after consulting a specialist.
Such a medicinal plant as hawthorn is widely used in folk medicine for the prevention of diseases of the heart and nervous system. Proper use of funds based on it allows you to normalize the state of blood vessels, increase blood circulation and stabilize blood pressure.
However, treatment with hawthorn, like any other folk remedy, is exclusively additional in nature and should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.