Hawthorn is a shrub or tree no more than five meters tall that grows throughout Russia. We cultivate about fifty species of this unpretentious, but very useful plant.
Hawthorn is a long-lived, there are specimens that are three hundred and four hundred years old. The plant is deservedly famous for its unique healing properties.
The healing properties of hawthorn
From ancient times, mankind used hawthorn to prepare medicinal decoctions, tinctures, teas. Healing qualities are possessed by fruits, flowers, seeds, tree bark, leaves.
Our ancestors successfully treated hawthorn with insomnia, hypertension, cardiac muscle arrhythmia. With it, they calmed the nervous system, stopped heart attacks. The unusual effect of the plant on health was noted by Avicenna. In the nineteenth century, doctors widely used hawthorn preparations to treat angina pectoris, seeking complete healing of patients. No wonder doctors called it a valuable discovery of the nineteenth century.
In modern medicine based on hawthorn created drugs that are used:
- to reduce blood pressure and calm the nervous system with neurosis;
- relieving attacks of tachycardia, angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation;
- to prevent cerebral arteriosclerosis;
- for the treatment of insomnia, shortness of breath;
- to strengthen and relieve fatigue of the heart muscle;
- for preventive purposes in older people to prevent changes in the cardiovascular system.
This is not a complete list of the scope of use of hawthorn for maintaining health and treating diseases. It is noteworthy that it has almost no contraindications and is easily tolerated by patients, without exerting undesirable side effects.
How useful is hawthorn?
The healing properties of the plant are determined by useful substances that are contained in literally every part of it.
Hawthorn flower contains:
- flavonoids (their greatest concentration is in buds), they help strengthen the walls of blood vessels and the cardiovascular system as a whole;
- chlorogenic and caffeic acid, which are good antioxidants;
- choline;
- carotenoids;
- essential oil.
The fruits contain:
- flavonoids (less than in flowers);
- organic acids (chlorogenic, coffee, citric, categus and others);
- glycosides;
- tannins;
- vitamins, including vitamin C, K, beta-carotene;
- saponins.
- choline and others.
The leaves of the plant are useful as follows: chlorogenic, caffeic, categalic and other acids are their useful components.
Hawthorn bark contains esculin glycoside.
Fruit seeds are known for the content of fatty acids and amygdalin glycoside.
All these useful substances contained in hawthorn make it possible to use it as a raw material for the production of various dosage forms.
Hawthorn: dosage forms
The following forms of drugs are prepared from the plant:
- Hawthorn extract (liquid).
- Hawthorn extract in tablets.
- Juice of fresh flowers.
- Infusion of hawthorn from flowers (fresh and dried).
- Infusion of fruits (fresh and dried).
- Tincture of hawthorn on ethanol.
- Capsules
- Hawthorn pills.
- Dry fruits and flowers.
The pharmacy chain also sells drugs containing extracts from hawthorn. Almost all drops from the heart contain this component.
In the pharmaceutical industry, the drug "Hawthorn" in tablets is developed and produced. It is very convenient for patients.
Hawthorn: pill for the heart
Agree, the most convenient form of medication is a pill, and even better if you do not need to drink it with water. In the pharmacy network, a drug is sold, which is called “Hawthorn” (lozenges).
It was developed by order of Natur Product Europe B.V. and is produced under her control in the Netherlands. Also, pharmacies sell a similar drug made in France.
The cost of the drug in Russia today ranges from 146 to 210 rubles per 20 tablets.
The composition of the drug is natural. One tablet contains:
- 100 milligrams of dry hawthorn extract
- Auxiliary components (aromatic additive, aspartame, magnesium stearate, etc.).
The tablets are brownish-gray in color with specks of white and dark brown in color, have a specific smell. To avoid the purchase of fakes, pay attention: each tablet should have the logo of the manufacturer (NP on the background of wood).
The healing properties of the drug "Hawthorn" in tablets
Instructions for use of the medicinal product classifies it as cardiotonic drugs of plant origin.
It contributes to the expansion of blood vessels, increases the ability of the heart to pump blood. This effect is achieved due to the high concentration of flavonoids contained in the extract of hawthorn. When taking a pill, the patient has a normalization of blood coagulation, blood pressure decreases. The drug has a mild sedative effect.
In the treatment of heart failure with hawthorn, the following occurs: after taking the hawthorn pill, the enzymes weakening the heart muscle are blocked, giving it the opportunity to increase the ability to distill blood through the vessels. This is especially important at the beginning of the disease, when it is still possible to prevent the development of the disease and not to take potent chemicals.
Hawthorn pills are also able to protect the cardiovascular system from plaque lesions in the coronary arteries.
Indications and contraindications for the use of the drug "Hawthorn"
The drug is indicated for use in the following cases:
- with angina pectoris to reduce pain in the chest;
- patients with congestive heart failure to improve heart function;
- with various cardiovascular diseases (cardialgia, neurocirculatory dystonia, etc.).
There are no obvious contraindications for hawthorn tablets. The instruction for the drug prohibits the use of it:
- children under eighteen years old;
- pregnant women and mothers who are breastfeeding;
- persons who have allergic manifestations on the components of the drug.
Side effects are possible if the instructions for use are not followed:
- urticaria, redness, peeling of the skin with increased sensitivity to the components of the tablet;
- drowsiness, dizziness, lowering blood pressure when taking large doses of the drug.
All side effects disappear when the dose is reduced or the drug is withdrawn.
For any undesirable consequences of taking the medicine, you should consult your doctor.
Do not take a drug that has expired (three years or more have passed since the release).
How to take Hawthorn
Hawthorn tablets for resorption should be kept in the mouth until completely dissolved, do not drink with water.
As a rule, the medicine is taken three times a day, one or two tablets. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor. Typically, a course is prescribed for three to four weeks, then a break and a second course after the doctor's recommendations.
If, together with hawthorn tablets, the patient takes cardiac preparations containing glycosides, then cardiotonic effects can be enhanced, while taking hawthorn with blockers, a sharp decrease in pressure is possible.
Caution: the combined use of drugs is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.
Some tips and warnings
Pain in the heart, behind the sternum is a very serious call, this may be the beginning of a heart disease. Do not rely only on the help of hawthorn, consult your doctor.
Take medicines, medical supplements, including hawthorn pills only on the recommendation of a doctor.
Use caution with any medication with hawthorn if you have low blood pressure, allergies, insomnia, or asthma.
Do not stop taking the drug yourself without consulting a doctor.
No matter how attractive the drug is and how safe it may seem to you, do not risk your health. First, consult a doctor, then take pills.
Be healthy!