Hawthorn - benefit and harm when used in folk medicine

A lot of plants are used since ancient times by healers as medicinal. From them prepare teas, tinctures, lotions, which are then applied, depending on the disease. A wide distribution as a medicinal raw material was the hawthorn berries. But before we get acquainted with their healing properties, let's consider what the plant itself is. Hawthorn is a wild-growing small tree or shrub that can reach a height of up to 6 meters. All shoots have thick spines of stem origin. The plant blooms with white fragrant flowers collected in inflorescences. There are different species of this plant, which differ in the shape of the leaves and the size of the fruit. In the cultivated species of hawthorn, the fruits are large enough, the size of small cherry plum.

Area of growth

The distribution of the plant depends on its species. For example, hawthorn blood-red grows in the regions of Siberia and Eastern Kazakhstan, and prickly - in Transcarpathia. Most species are used as decorative in parks and squares, as well as in field shelter belts. Propagated hawthorn is usually overgrown, but in some cases seeds can also be used. The usual places of its growth in the wild are the forest edges, the banks of the rivers of the forest and forest-steppe zones.

Hawthorn - good and bad

This plant is widely used in folk medicine. For preparation of preparations from it not only inflorescences, but also fruits are used. Flowers are collected, mainly from the hawthorn of the prickly, growing in Ukraine. It should be taken into account that it fades very quickly, especially in hot weather, and therefore the collection of flowers lasts only 3-4 days. Fruit collection usually lasts about a month. The collected raw materials are dried in special chambers at a temperature of 40 degrees, and then used to prepare medicinal preparations in the form of teas, tinctures and others.

Use for medicinal purposes

How does the hawthorn affect the human body? Benefits and harm - what more from the use of drugs from it? These issues constantly arise not only among traditional healers, but also in the scientific medical environment. Preparations from this plant expand the vessels of the brain and soothe the nervous system. They improve metabolism and can be used to normalize heart rhythms, sleep and general condition.

But not all and not always use hawthorn. Harm and benefit exist, so you need to consult a doctor. Do not use it for a long time - it can lead to a decrease in heart rhythms. Also, one should not use decoctions on an empty stomach, they can provoke intestinal cramps and even vomiting. To avoid intestinal colic, do not drink drugs with cold water.

Of course, each plant can be both useful and harmful, including hawthorn, the benefit and harm of which depend on how to use it. Therefore, to use it for medicinal purposes should be very cautious.

The ability to reduce pressure limits the use of hypotonic drugs from plants such as hawthorn. The use and harm of his berries is a very relative concept. Its fruits, especially immature ones, can cause mild poisoning.