Hawthorn, or glod, is a thorny shrub common in many regions of the planet. In August-September, its branches are covered with bright red small fruits with a bone. Edible berries of hawthorn. They are used in cooking: compotes and jams are made from them, juice, kvass and wine are made, and dried and crushed fruits are added to the dough, due to which the baking acquires a pleasant aroma and taste. They are also used in herbal medicine.
During World War II, glod was prescribed to the cores instead of a scarce drug. However, despite the many beneficial properties of bright red fruits, hawthorn also has absolute contraindications - its use is prohibited in early childhood, during pregnancy and hypotension.
Content
The chemical composition and general beneficial properties of hawthorn fruit
Specialists associate the healing properties of hawthorn with its rich chemical composition. The most useful substances in berries:
- quercetin - makes blood vessels more elastic and less permeable, has antitumor activity, neutralizes free radicals, promotes proper blood supply to brain cells, prevents cardiac diseases and cataracts;
- hyperoside - improves glucose metabolism and oxygen absorption, supports the proper functioning of the heart;
- Vitexin - has a vasodilating effect, activates metabolic processes in the cardiac system;
- caffeic acid - has bacterial properties, improves the outflow of bile;
Useful properties of hawthorn - ursolic acid - relieves inflammation, heals wounds;
- chlorogenic acid - improves the functioning of the kidneys and liver, has a choleretic and anti-sclerotic effect;
- oleic acid - tones blood vessels, improves blood circulation in the brain and heart;
- saponins - have diuretic, sedative, mild laxative and expectorant properties;
- Phytosterol is a steroid that contributes to the development of muscle mass and lower cholesterol;
- Vitamin A - has antioxidant properties, strengthens the immune system, improves eyesight (berries are compared to carrots in terms of vitamin A content);
- B vitamins - indispensable for nerves, improve fat metabolism, positively affect the general condition;
- Vitamin C - enhances immunity, promotes proper blood formation and the functioning of the cardiac system;
- Vitamin P - antioxidant, prevents oncological neoplasms, stimulates the immune and cardiovascular system.
The fruit is also rich in calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum.
The main advantages of hawthorn:
- tones up the heart muscle;
- improves oxygen circulation;
- relieves tachycardia and arrhythmia;
- normalizes cholesterol;
- regulates blood coagulation;
- soothing;
- treats insomnia;
- improves digestive organs;
- relieves shortness of breath;
- strengthens the immune system.
The main contraindications for use and possible harm to hawthorn
Although nature has endowed these berries with many medicinal properties, they should not be abused, as this is fraught with side effects. And for some people, eating the fruits of hawthorn is absolutely categorically contraindicated. In fairness, it should be said that in most cases, subject to the rules of dosage, funds based on it do not cause side effects.
Funds from the berries of the glod are contraindicated in such cases:
- during the bearing of the child;
- children under 12 years old;
- with a tendency to low blood pressure;
- with anemia;
- after a concussion;
- against the background of the IRR;
- with diseases of the brain;
- with exacerbation of liver diseases.
You may be interested in:It is strictly forbidden to drink such herbal remedies for people with intolerance to berries. Understand that the drug or drink from the fruit is not suitable for the following symptoms:
- dizziness;
- bradycardia;
- a sharp decrease in AT;
- allergic rash and itching.
It is important to take into account the fact that an overdose of tincture from the famine causes severe drowsiness. Therefore, drivers and people whose work requires increased attention and a quick reaction, funds from it can also be contraindicated.
Decoction of hawthorn fruit is forbidden to drink before breakfast - this can cause vomiting and spasms of blood vessels. Separately, it should be said about the fresh fruits of the bush. Per serving should be no more than 1 glass of berries. Ignoring this rule may result in a sharp decrease in AT and arrhythmia. It is also forbidden to eat unripe fruits - they can be poisoned.
The benefits and harms of hawthorn for women
At different periods of a woman’s life, these berries can be both very useful and dangerous if used improperly, so you should strictly adhere to the indicated dosages.
Application in cosmetology
Hawthorn extract is actively used in cosmetology. Means from it relieve black spots, slow down aging, moisturize the skin, and eliminate swelling. For such purposes, masks from crushed berries with honey and olive oil are used.
The mask is made from brandy, berry juice (10 ml each) and 2-3 tablespoons of decoction from the roots of burdock. Rub the mixture into the roots, wrap your head in a towel and hold for one and a half to two hours.
A decoction of ripe fruits can be added to baths and foot baths. Such procedures have a tonic effect, relieve fatigue and improve blood circulation.
You may be interested in:For weight loss
In most cases, excess weight appears as a result of metabolic disorders. And the fruits of the famine contain substances that improve metabolic processes. Therefore, these berries are successfully used for weight loss.
During the diet, it is useful to drink the extract of hawthorn: take 2 tsp. dried berries and 200 ml of boiling water, insist in a thermos for 2-3 hours. A strained product should be consumed 40 ml 3 times a day (10-15 minutes before meals). Effectively, this medicine works in conjunction with exercise and diet.
During pregnancy
There is no general opinion among experts about whether it is possible to use hawthorn-based products during pregnancy and breastfeeding. On the one hand, it causes uterine contractions, which can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.On the other hand, a not too concentrated decoction of fruits and flowers is useful for expectant mothers as a sedative, a remedy for edema and blood stasis.
For women's health
Remedies from the famine are considered beneficial for the female reproductive system. Infusion of berries and flowers helps to normalize the menstrual cycle. The drink is prepared from 3 tbsp. l a mixture of flowers and berries and 3 glasses of boiling water. Insist 2-3 hours. Take before a meal in a glass. The course of treatment is 2 weeks. After a break of 7 days, you can repeat. Glod is also beneficial for women aged menopause. A drink from it normalizes the hormonal background, calms the nerves, relieves headaches and hot flashes.
How to take hawthorn for medicinal purposes
Berries for medicinal purposes are harvested after they are fully ripe. Properly dried raw materials can be stored for up to 8 years without loss of properties.
Tincture
Alcohol tincture from glod is made from 25 g of berries and 100 ml of alcohol or vodka. The mixture is insisted in the dark and cool for about 2 weeks, after which it can be used for treatment. As a rule, they drink it 30-60 drops before each main meal (in 15 minutes). Usually this tincture is prescribed to the cores (especially at the initial stage of hypertension), with nervous disorders and insomnia.
Infusion
Infusion is the simplest and most versatile phytotherapy of the famine. It has a positive effect on the organisms of people with heart defects, neurosis, impaired blood circulation, arrhythmia, has a calming and mild hypnotic effect. To prepare the infusion, for each tablespoon of dried berries you will need 200 ml of boiling water. Before use, the product should be infused (preferably in a thermos) for several hours.
Decoction
Decoction from the famine has confirmed its benefit in many diseases. Among them:
- sleep disturbances;
- Dizziness
- problems in the thyroid gland;
- headaches, heart and rheumatic pains;
- liver dysfunction;
- tachycardia;
- high blood sugar;
- menopausal condition;
- prostate diseases.
Method of preparation: 20 g of berries are poured into a cup of hot water and kept in a water bath for about 10 minutes. Then insist 3 hours. Take 20 ml.
Tea
For tea, both the fruits and the leaves or flowers of the plant are perfect. Such a drink has the same medicinal properties as other herbal remedies from hawthorn. To improve the taste of tea, you can add the leaves and fruits of currants, strawberries, raspberries or rose hips to it. This drink is very good to drink at night - it contributes to relaxation and restful sleep. During the day you can drink up to 3 cups.
For the heart and blood vessels
Hawthorn stimulates the heart and improves coronary circulation, it is prescribed to people with hypertension. By itself, it does not have the ability to lower blood pressure, but, acting on the cardiac system in a complex, helps normalize blood pressure in the vessels. Medicines from its fruits are useful after myocardial infarction, for the complex treatment of shortness of breath, congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease.
For the digestive tract
Hawthorn has a good effect on the body of people with diseases of the liver and biliary tract. Drinks from it are useful for diarrhea and stomach cramps. In folk medicine, it is used in the treatment of intestinal infections and gastric ulcer.
With heartburn, it is good to drink an infusion of hawthorn and mint, taken in equal amounts (for 1 cup of boiling water - 1 tsp of the mixture, leave for 30-60 minutes). It helps relieve irritation and inflammation of the gastric mucosa, is useful for people with impaired gallbladder and liver. If there are no berries, the medicine can be prepared from flowers (according to a similar pattern).
You may be interested in:Common questions
For many centuries, humanity has been aware of the medicinal properties of hawthorn. However, so that its berries bring only benefits, you must always remember the rules for using this valuable natural medicine.
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