Hawthorn: properties and benefits of these herbs

A lot of plants They not only serve as a decorative element for our homes, workplaces or to decorate the streets, but they also offer us multiple benefits to keep our health in optimal condition, from strengthening its natural functions, to preventing any discomfort or future illness.

It is for this reason that multiple herbs have been used as the basis for creating homemade medical recipes from ancient times to the present day.

Have you done this before? You may not have imitated the homemade recipes as they used to be, but surely you have taken some infusion, made into a mask or used in aromatherapy, so it is also valid as recipes homemade. But how effective are these herbs? Of course, they are not a replacement for medical treatments, but rather help to supplement health, so it is very positive that you consume infusions regularly but without underestimating the medicines.

What is your favorite herb? In this case we will talk about hawthorn and all those properties and benefits that you can get from the consumption of this plant.

What is hawthorn?

Its scientific name is ‘crataegus laevigata’, although it is also known as hawthorn or hawthorn and is characterized by being a shrub or a small tree (approximately five to fourteen meters high) with white flowers and red fruits, belonging to the family of the Rosaceae. Its origin comes from Europe, Asia and Africa, where they are more common and have various uses, from a relaxing element to an astringent.

Its first uses in natural medicine come from ancient Chinese times, where thanks to its multiple biochemical compounds that allow to activate different functions of the organism. Especially in the prevention and reduction of future illnesses or diseases.

Hawthorn: properties and health benefits

It may seem at first glance like a beautiful common plant to decorate, but below you will know the benefits you can get from this plant.

1. Avoid heart disease

This is the best known property of this plant and for which it has been used since millennial eastern times, until it became an important part of oriental medicine. Possessing a great benefit, known as a positive inotropic effect, which improves cardiac muscle contractility. In other words, help our heart to get stronger, strengthen the muscles and can work at a healthy pace without losing its natural condition.

In addition, this condition is ideal for closing the mitral valve of the left ventricle, a valve with which we are born open but which closes over the weeks. But when it does not, it can lead to cardiovascular complications, because the blood cannot circulate properly. correct for the heart and therefore, not for the rest of the organs, causing extreme fatigue and lack of oxygenation.

2. Lowers blood pressure

Another of the benefits for the heart that hawthorn gives us is the reduction of blood pressure, as well as preventing it from originating in our body. This is due to the fact that it has proanthocyanidins, which are molecules that are present in this plant and have vasodilator properties as well as antisclerosis, which helps the coronary blood circulation flow better way.

So if you take an infusion of hawthorn on a regular basis, you can greatly benefit your heart and keep it always in optimal condition and with healthy functioning.

3. Antioxidant properties

Another of the great benefits for which this plant is known is for its active phytocomponent antioxidants, which being transformed into compounds of alcoholic extracts, they can help reduce the negative and oxidative consequences of metabolism of the body.

This is of utmost importance because, it has been discovered that stress or the generation of this oxidation of the metabolism, is responsible for different pathologies related to the heart and inflammatory processes and rheumatic.

4. Sedative benefits

This plant also gives us relaxing properties, but mostly on a mental level, in such a way that if we take an infusion of hawthorn white, we may be able to help our brain get a well-deserved break from its agitation by relaxing the nervous system nice. This system is responsible for keeping us in constant alert, to be in a continuous state of attention to any stimulus, the problem is that the brain can suffer from exhaustion after continuous activation, which can result from anxiety, worries or thoughts anticipatory.

So it is highly recommended to combat insomnia generated by stress, to reduce nervousness or reduce anxiety.

5. Fight insomnia

As we just mentioned, this is an excellent ally to combat the insomnia problems. How? Well, you have surely figured out that it is thanks to the relaxation of the sympathetic nervous system, after all by reducing the brain activity it is possible to achieve a relaxation of such magnitude that it is possible to fall into a deep sleep and repairman.

How does it benefit us to get a good night's sleep? Adequate sleep (that is, for around 7-8 hours a day) gives both your mind and your body to rest and recharge energy from everything we have had to go through in the day and prepare to face what go on.

6. Help us recover from a heart attack

It should be noted that this is not a mystical plant, much less a replacement for traditional medicine, rather it is a complement of this, to help our body to obtain forces in a natural way and thus increase the process of Recovery. Once this is clarified, we can mention that the consumption of hawthorn can benefit people who have suffered from a heart attack. recover, through strengthening the heart muscle, blood circulation and lowering blood pressure.

7. Anti-inflammatory functions

Why is a swollen muscle, tendon, or organ extremely dangerous? Although, inflammation is nothing more than a natural response of our body to an injury or pain suffered, but there is a reduction in the swelling, there is no chance that that part will recover and return to its original functions, as there is no full regeneration or good flow blood.

With hawthorn we can help our body to reduce inflammation, thanks to the generation of antioxidant properties and increased circulation.

8. Benefits menopause

Hawthorn is an excellent natural remedy to treat the inevitable discomforts that appear during the period of menopause, especially heart arrhythmias, feelings of pressure, anxiety, and nervousness that can Appear. In the same way, it helps to relax muscle tension and fall asleep.

9. Gastrointestinal discomfort

One of the benefits of hawthorn is its diuretic property, which favors the natural elimination of toxins from the body. In addition, combined with its anti-inflammatory assets, it brings benefits to the gastrointestinal system, since it reduces and prevents the accumulation of gases, spasms and accumulation of toxic waste.

10. Reduce the cholesterol

Thanks to the fact that hawthorn has antilipemic and anticolesterolemic agents, it is able to reduce the levels of cholesterol that accumulate in the blood circulation. This is because it enhances low-density lipid receptors so that they can function properly. In the same way, it potentiates the metabolization of cholesterol, causing it to transform into bile acids to be eliminated in the body.

11. Prevents the reproduction of bacteria

Another of its great properties is that it can fight infections, with its bacteriostatic assets, which helps in effect, to eliminate different types of bacteria that seek to lodge in the body and cause infections in the same. Especially against those bacteria that cause diseases in our respiratory system, such as 'Staphylococcus aureus'.

Contraindications to the use of hawthorn

In general, the consumption of this plant does not have any negative side effects, but we must take into account some contraindications that may arise in some people.

• There are people who are allergic to this type of plant, so if you consume an infusion of it and feel persistent discomfort (stomach, nausea, insomnia or increased palpitations), you may be allergic, so it is recommended that you no longer follow it taking.

• Its continuous consumption should be avoided, as it can have harmful effects for people who suffer from heart disease and who are under medical treatment. It is best to take it once every couple of weeks.

• Be careful if you are going to undergo surgery. Although its use is recommended to calm the nerves, it is necessary to warn that it is not consumed before any operation, since it can be counterproductive for blood clotting.

• Another recommendation is not to consume this herb in infusions (or in another type of use) for more than 16 continuous weeks, as well as doing it in low doses. This with the intention of avoiding developing any type of negative side effect.