Give your heart a valentine: Pretty, red Hawthorn berries boost cardiac health

Wednesday, February 06, 2013 by: Sandeep Godiyal
Tags: valentine, Hawthorn berries, cardiac health

(NaturalNews) There is a health craze that is good for the heart and it's called the red Hawthorn berries. Hawthorn berries (Crateagus oxycanthus) boosts cardiac health aside from preventing cardiac arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure and angina. Having been used for hundreds of years or as far back as the first century, Hawthorn berries have proven to be the leading herb when it comes to heart problems and blood circulatory issues.

Description of Hawthorn plant

It belongs to the rose family and is a thorny shrub that can grow as high as five feet tall. It blooms during the month of May and comes in pink, red and white clusters. Its berries are red when ripe, but there are also those that are black. All plant parts have medicinal purposes.

Phytochemistry

It is simply the scientific study of chemicals in plants. It is the study of phytochemicals and chemical processes and how it affects medicinal properties of plants. The concept of phytochemistry is widely accepted in herbal medicine and Eastern Medical treatment.

Outline of health benefits

One of the great things about Hawthorn berries is that they contain flavonoids that act as antioxidants. They help protect blood vessels from getting damaged, improve blood flow and dilate blood vessels. These antioxidants help fight off free radicals that cause diseases by altering cell membranes.

These wonder berries are used to strengthen not only the heart but the circulatory system as well. It is in demand for treatment of diarrhea, arteriosclerosis, myocarditis, insomnia and other circulatory related problems.

There is also a noted improvement in people's cardiovascular system due to the berries' antioxidant properties. It can also prevent the formation of plaque or blood clots in the vessels, which when unaddressed can result in chest pain since oxygen-rich blood does not reach the heart in sufficient amounts.

Hawthorn can also remove bad cholesterol, which is the leading culprit when it comes to heart diseases. It has also been proven to lower high blood pressure.

Available forms and easiest preparation of berries

It is available in either capsules, solid extracts, tinctures and liquid extracts. It can also be prepared in tea extract which can be taken from dried berries, flowers and leaves.

This should never be given to children, women who are pregnant and those who are lactating. Side effects may include palpitations, nausea and headache but overall, this is very safe to use.

Just a reminder: heart problems are serious medical conditions. Never attempt to self medicate. It is wiser for you to always consult with a heart specialist. However, Hawthorn berries can help lessen the problem should you decide to supplement your daily diet with this herbal remedy. Just make sure that this will not contraindicate with some of the medications that you are presently taking.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-hawthorn-berry.html

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/hawthorn-000256.htm

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com

About the author:
Sandeep has written many health field articles for both Internet and print publication. He currently writing for insurancetips4u.co.

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