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Hawthorn
What does hawthorn do?
Hawthorn can improve many conditions associated with cardiovascular irregularities:
· “aging” arteries
· poor circulation to the legs
· confusion and memory problems caused by lack of blood supply in the brain
· angina
· irregular heartbeat
· hypertension
· heart palpitations
· stroke
Note, however, that hawthorn is effective over time. Do not count on it for
a quick fix to any of the above problems. Rather, hawthorn may take a few months
to work.
Hawthorn can also help relieve:
· diarrhea
· dysentery
How does hawthorn work?
Hawthorn opens the arteries and dilate the blood vessels, thus improving the
circulation and blood supply of all tissues in the body. This ability makes
hawthorn one of the best enhancer for heart and circulation. It also helps balance
blood pressure, making hawthorn an excellent remedy for high blood pressure
associated with the hardening of the arteries. Hawthorn opens the coronary arteries
in the heart, thereby improving blood flow and softening deposits, making it
an excellent remedy for angina. Hawthorn also appears to have a direct, positive
effect on the heart itself, strengthening and regulating heartbeat. It impacts
memory and concentration by increasing blood flow (and, thus, oxygen flow) to
the brain.
Hawthorn also has both a relaxant and diuretic effect.
Hawthorn contains a mixture of pigments called flavonoids. These flavonoids
are considered responsible for the benefits hawthorn use brings to the cardiovascular
system. The flavonoids in hawthorn sedate the central nervous system and relax
and dilate the arteries, especially the coronary arteries. The flavonoids are
also strongly antioxidant, fighting off free radicals (unstable atoms that roam
the body, looking for stable molecules to break up) that can lead to widespread
damage in the body.
What are the side effects?
Hawthorn is extremely safe for long-term use (and actually should be used long-term
for best results). There are no known interactions with prescription cardiac
medications or other drugs.
Who should use caution with hawthorn?
People taking cardiac medications should consult with their doctors before
beginning hawthorn therapy—just in case. There are no known harmful effects
of using it during pregnancy or lactation—but no guarantee that it is safe in
these circumstances, either. Pregnant and lactating women should always consult
a doctor before beginning any herbal remedy.
How and when should I take hawthorn?
Modern herbal medicine tends to use extracts of the leaves and flowers portions
of the hawthorn plant. Extracts are available in capsules, tablets or tinctures.
Many doctors recommend 80–300 mg of the herbal extract in capsules or tablets
two to three times per day. If traditional berry preparations are used, the
recommendation is at least 4–5 grams per day or a tincture of 4–5 ml three times
daily. However, the hawthorn berry form has not been clinically studied.
Important notes on hawthorn
Hawthorn is slow-acting; one or two months may elapse before effects can be
noticed.
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