Hawthorn is considered one of the popular medicinal plants often used in medicine. It is a member of the Rosaceae family. The people also have other names for the plant, for example, throat or lady-tree. The main feature of the hawthorn is its survival and adaptability to various conditions. Some plants of this family lived up to 300 years.
Description and chemical composition
Hawthorn grows in the form of a thorny shrub, in rare cases, a small tree. It has short-petiolate leaves with large teeth. During the flowering period, inflorescences appear in the form of dense, multi-flowered shields. Hawthorn fruits are usually bright red in color, but in nature you can also find orange, yellow and black berries. The fruit tastes sweet, odorless.
Hawthorn is often found in the forest and is also grown in gardens and parks.
Due to the unique chemical composition of plants of the Rosaceae family, various diseases are treated. It is the fruits that are considered the most healing. They contain components such as ascorbic, pectin and other organic acids, vitamins, b-carotene, flavonoids, catechins, coumarins and other elements.
The following components are considered the most useful for the body:
- saponin – helps to thin sputum, has a laxative, sedative and diuretic effect;
- thiamine – improves immunity, improves the work of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract;
- rutin – helps to normalize blood pressure, has an antioxidant effect;
- choline – improves the functioning of the nervous system, helps to reduce the level of “harmful” cholesterol;
- phytosterol is a natural steroid that helps build muscle mass.
In addition, hawthorn is rich in elements such as iron, zinc, copper, calcium, cobalt, potassium and molybdenum.
The healing properties of the plant
Preparations with hawthorn are prescribed by a patient with various diseases. The plant is not toxic, therefore it does not accumulate in the body. The main indications for the use of hawthorn-based medicines are:
- hypertension;
- angina pectoris;
- myocardial infarction;
- arrhythmia.
In addition, the medicinal plant helps to overcome stress conditions, insomnia, chronic fatigue, to heal psycho-emotional disorders and is used for epilepsy, neuroses. With the help of drugs, you can lower blood sugar levels, increase blood supply in the coronary vessels of the heart and brain, contraction of the heart muscle and reduce anxiety.
The hawthorn plant has a calming, protective, expectorant, antioxidant, antispasmodic effect. Medicines made from the fruits help to get rid of diseases of the gallbladder, liver and kidneys. Taking medications helps to cleanse the body of harmful substances, heavy metal salts.
Hawthorn remedies are used to eliminate headaches, pain in the shoulders, lower back and shoulder blades. The fruits of the plant are also used in gynecology (during menopause and for menstrual irregularities), gastroenterology (for gastritis, pancreatitis, abdominal pain), in order to prevent influenza.
Contraindications for use
Hawthorn is a fairly harmless remedy that will not harm the body if it is used correctly. The only contraindication to using herbal medicines is chronic constipation. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use hawthorn very carefully.
