< previous page | page_58 | next page >
Page 58
| ripheral vasodilator in a placebo-controlled double-blind study of older patients suffering from angina pectoris. |
| Among the conditions for which hawthorn preparations are recommended are irregular heartbeat, geriatric or stressed heart, hypertension, coronary insufficiency, myocardism following contagious disease, sensitivity to cardiac glycosides, cerebral circulatory disturbances, heart attack, damage to the coronary arteries and angina pectoris. Hawthorn is a mild sedative, making it useful in cases of heart disease linked to nervousness and stress. It does not lead to dependence and can be taken in large doses without harm. In fact, it is important to give a sufficiently large dose daily for at least three months and up to several years, as needed, because hawthorn's effect is not cumulative. |
| Hawthorn berry preparations are considered safe to use in combination with allopathic (symptom-treating) drugs, such as digitoxin, and in many cases its use allows the patient to reduce or eliminate the use of such drugs. Of course, such substitutions should be made under a physician's supervision. |
| In Germany, where over three dozen hawthorn-based heart medications are available, one teaspoon of hawthorn tincture on arising and another before bed is the standard recommendation. Because the taste is bitter, hawthorn can be mixed with honey, lemon, stevia or other herbs to improve its taste. In addition to its cardiovascular benefits, hawthorn berry is an excellent source of vitamin C. Hawthorn berry jams and jellies are popular wherever the plant grows wild, and the berries can be made into a fresh tincture or dried and made into a tea or tincture, as can the flowers and leaves. |
< previous page | page_58 | next page >

If you like this book, buy it!