Originally posted by The Utopian Penguin
reply to post by ANNED
Now A question for you ANNED.
Now that I found this Hawthorn,How can I fully utilize that plant.
There is clues in the picture.
The hawthorne berry is one of the best cardiac tonics available, and is often used to treat high blood pressure. Today, hawthorn is mainly used to
treat angina, hypertension and arrhythmias.
The hawthorn leaves, flowers and berries contain many phytochemicals including catechins, crataegus acid, hyperoside, isoorientin, isovitexin,
orientin, saponins, procyanidins, quercetin, quercitrin and vitexin. The most important phytochemical in hawthorn is crataegus acid which is
responsible for the coronary vasodilating effect.
Tests with animals have shown that hawthorn works by increasing the contraction force of the heart, improving the integrity of blood vessel walls,
increasing blood flow and improving oxygen utilisation. Studies with humans suggest that the flavonoids in hawthorn decerase the risk of heart
diseases. It is known that flavonoids have antioxidant properties and strengthen blood vessel wall by stimulating cross linking of collagen.
Flavonoids cause vessel dilation and increase intracellular calcium level. Hawthorn can influence the heart rate.
Absence of oxygen in the blood can cause damage to the heart's muscular wall, caused by the release of neutrophil elastase. The procyanidins in
hawthorn could inhibit neutrophil elastase. Tests with animals have also shown that hawthorn can reduce cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the
blood. These effects could be attributed to the catechin, saponins and quercetin.
Clinical studies with hawthorn on humans are limited. On clinical study showed that hawthorn extracts improved symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations
and dyspnoea and increased performance. Many studies have shown that hawthorn has a beneficial effect on heart failure. One important study
investigated the effect of a combined hawthorn-passion flower extract on forty patients. The study showed an increase in exercise capacity and a
decrease of heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol level and dyspnoea. A study on patients with cardiac insufficiency, in which 136 patients were
involved, showed that patients who took hawthorn extract had an improvement of cardiac performance. On trial compared hawthorn extract with captopril
on 132 patients. Captopril is a medicine used to lower blood pressure, to relieve symptoms of congestive heart failure and to improve survival after a
heart attack. Hawthorn seemed to have similar effects as captopril on exercise tolerance, fatigue and dyspnoea. Hawthorn extract did not gave any
adverse effect.
Both ancient and modern herbalists have successfully used hawthorn for its food and health benefits. Modern science shows that hawthorne contains
chemical components which are sedative, anti-spasmodic and diuretic. If you intend to use it for medicinal purposes, look for C. laevigata, C.
monogyna, or C. pinnatifida, as these hybrids are known best for their medicinal uses. Read how to make a tincture or an infusion using hawthorne
flowers or Both ancient and modern herbalists have successfully used hawthorn for its food and health benefits. Modern science shows that hawthorne
contains chemical components which are sedative, anti-spasmodic and diuretic. If you intend to use it for medicinal purposes, look for C. laevigata,
C. monogyna, or C. pinnatifida, as these hybrids are known best for their medicinal uses. Read how to make a tincture or an infusion using hawthorne
flowers or berries.
The hawthorne berry is one of the best cardiac tonics available, and is often used to treat high blood pressure.
Hawthorne berries are used to treat childhood diabetes. See Cautions.
Hawthorne flower tea is a safe diuretic.
Hawthorne berries, dried and crushed and made into a decoction, eases diarrhea and dysentery, kidney inflammations and disorders. See Cautions.
The young hawthorne leaves can be used as a safe, and non-nicotine tobacco substitute for those who desire to quite smoking. Enhance the flavor and
help heal the throat by adding yarrow, mint, coltsfoot or mullein.
Chewing the hawthorne leaf has been known for centuries as a safe way to give nourishment, revive energy, and a feeling of well-being. That is why it
can be used to treat those who have problems with apprehension, insomnia and despondency. Chewing hawthorne leaves takes away that "tummy grumble"
when you"re hungry. That is why the hawthorne became known as the "bread and cheese" tree, giving as much sustenance as a plate of bread and
cheese.
The hawthorne leaf-buds are good cooked (10 to 20 minutes) and have a similar taste to lima beans. They make a great addition to chilis and soups.
You can make jellies and fruit sauces from the berries, just make sure you strain the sauce. Hawthorne berries contain their own pectin so the sauce
or jelly will thicken nicely.
Hawthorne flowers are edible and make an attractive addition to salads and other dishes.
Hawthorne seeds can be roasted and used in a manner similar to coffee.
Cautions
Hawthorne is a very powerful herb and in most cases should be taken along with other herbs rather than by itself for medicinal purposes. When dealing
with medical conditions, I recommend consultation with a medical professional rather than attempting self-medication.
The hawthorne berry is one of the best cardiac tonics available, and is often used to treat high blood pressure.
Since i have high blood pressure and have had bypass surgery i would look at this plant in a SitX as a replacement for my medications.
i would make a tea from the leaves, flowers or barries and start with a small doseage and using a blood pressure cuff work up a medical doseage that
would control my symptoms.
[edit on 14-10-2009 by ANNED]
[edit on 14-10-2009 by ANNED]
