Hawthorn is a plant that has a wide range of various beneficial properties and is used in the treatment of many pathological conditions. One of the most popular dosage forms based on this plant are tinctures. In this article you will find information about what useful properties such tinctures have, how to make them at home, as well as what are the indications and contraindications to their use.
The benefits of hawthorn tincture
All the beneficial properties of these drugs are primarily associated with their special chemical composition, which includes various alkaloids of the plant, its basis, a lot of vitamins, macro- and microelements, amino acids, as well as essential oils and ethanol. The highest concentration of nutrients is present in the flowers, leaves and fruits of hawthorn.
Did you know? At the time of ancient Greece, dried and ground hawthorn fruits were baked bread. It was believed that it helps to cure various heart diseases.
The useful properties of this drug should include:
- the ability to normalize heart rhythms and lower blood pressure due to the cardiotonic effect;
- positive effect on blood circulation processes in the brain and myocardium;
- the ability to reduce total cholesterol in the blood, which has a preventive effect on the formation of vascular atherosclerosis;
- very well shows sedative properties, calming the nervous system;
- helps the body to cope with various stressogenic factors;
- has a rejuvenating effect, slows the aging process;
- helps to eliminate spasms in the vessels;
- positive effect on the immune system;
- has a tonic effect;
- improves the activity of the thyroid gland;
- positive effect on the cognitive functions of the brain;
- able to alleviate the condition of women during preclimax and menopause.
Learn how hawthorn is used and how its berries are useful.
Harm and side effects tincture
Despite the positive effects of this drug described above, there are a number of contraindications and cases where taking such a tincture can cause significant harm to your body. 
Here is a list of such cases:
- first trimester of pregnancy;
- hawthorn preparations are not recommended for children under 12 years old;
- vegetovascular dystonia of hypotonic type;
- constant use of antiarrhythmic drugs;
- allergy to the components of the drug or another type of individual intolerance;
- various heart defects;
- consistently low blood pressure;
- tachycardia and arrhythmia.
Important! In order to avoid possible complications while taking the tincture, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Among the possible side effects should be identified drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, the occurrence of allergic reactions, abdominal pain. However, it should be noted that the likelihood of the development of such reactions in the case of the use of this drug in therapeutic dosages is extremely small. 
Indications for use
- Hypertonic disease. A particularly pronounced effect from taking such tinctures is observed in the case of recently identified hypertension. Sometimes, to control all symptoms, it is enough just to take tinctures, without concurrent use of other medications. It is recommended to take it for 30-35 drops before meals 2-3 times a day.
- Atherosclerosis. From atherosclerosis well helps mixed tincture of hawthorn, along with propolis. They are mixed in equal proportions and take 20-30 drops every day before meals 3-4 times.
- Rheumatism. From rheumatism is best to use tincture prepared on the flowers of this plant. It is recommended to apply both directly on the affected joints, and take orally 35-40 drops half an hour before meals.
- Disorders of the endocrine system. First of all, it is worth mentioning the hyperactive work of the thyroid gland and menopause. With a similar pathology hawthorn take 20-25 drops before meals 3-4 times a day.
- Insomnia, disorders of the brain. In case of such pathologies, these drugs are most often prescribed as an adjuvant therapy, due to the extremely difficult methodology of their therapy and the long waiting time for the onset of its active action. The most commonly used tincture is 40% alcohol, 2-3 times daily before meals, 25-30 drops.
- Flu. With various acute respiratory viral infections and flu, hawthorn is primarily prescribed as a drug that promotes the active work of the immune system and has general tonic properties. More often in this case it is taken 2 times a day before meals, 30-40 drops.
Did you know? In former times, various mystical properties were attributed to hawthorn, so its dried fruits were placed at the entrance to the house. This, according to popular belief, was to scare away evil spirits.
How to cook at home
It should be noted that there are a huge number of different recipes that give recommendations on how to properly make these or other hawthorn tinctures, but in this article we will limit ourselves to the most popular and proven ones. Below you will find a small list of different tinctures and methods for their preparation.
Hawthorn tincture on water
- Carefully wash 2 tablespoons of berries and 2 tablespoons of hawthorn leaves.
- Fill them with three glasses of boiling water.
- Put in a warm place for 2-3 hours.
The resulting product must be stored away from sunlight. He is able to provide its healing properties for 2 weeks.
You will probably be interested to learn about the benefits and use of hawthorn honey.
Hawthorn tincture on vodka
- Take 500 g of the berries of the plant, wash and dry them thoroughly.
- Then add to them 500 g of vodka.
- Put the resulting mixture in a warm, dark place for 7 days.
- Strain the resulting substance and remove the berries.
The resulting preparation must be protected from direct sunlight. It has no expiration date.
Learn how to properly collect and dry hawthorn at home.
Tincture of hawthorn on alcohol
- Take 100 g of the berries of the plant, wash them and dry thoroughly.
- After that add to them 1 liter of 70% alcohol. It is advisable to put everything in a glass jar.
- Allow the infusion to infuse for three weeks.
- Strain the solution and discard the berries.
This tincture must be protected from excessive heat and sunlight. It has no expiration date.
Tincture of flowers
Flowers - one of the components that contain a fairly large number of alcohol-soluble biologically active substances. Therefore, for the preparation of medicines based on hawthorn flowers, it is recommended to use pharmaceutical alcohol with the highest concentration.
- Take 100 g of flowers from the plant, wash them thoroughly and chop them in a blender.
- Add to them 500 g of 98% alcohol.
- Allow the tincture to stand in a dark, warm place for two weeks.
- Strain the solution and discard the rest of the flowers.
The obtained drug must be stored so that it does not fall into direct sunlight. It has no expiration date.
Important! Remember that buying and collecting hawthorn flowers is possible only in the period from May to June. At this time, hawthorn blooms.
Some more recipes
To enhance the natural positive properties of this plant, it is recommended to prepare medicines that would include some other plants in addition to hawthorn, for example, rosehip, calgane, cinnamon, etc. Here are a few of these recipes:
- Take in equal proportions hawthorn berries and wild rose.
- Fill them with the same amount of 70% alcohol.
- Let it brew for 14 days in a dark place.
- Filter the infusion and discard the fruit.
The resulting tincture very well helps the body to deal with various colds and flu.
- Take 2 tablespoons of hawthorn, 1 tablespoon of wild rose and half a teaspoon of calgan.
- Add to them 1 tablespoon of sugar and half a liter of vodka.
- Mix all ingredients until smooth and allow to brew for 2-4 weeks.
We recommend to get acquainted with the recipe of hawthorn harvesting for the winter.
This tincture helps very well to cope with various cardiovascular pathologies, and also has the maximum tonic effect.
- Take 3 tablespoons of hawthorn berries.
- Add to them 1 tablespoon of honey and carefully mash everything until a homogeneous slurry is formed.
- Fill the resulting mixture with 100 grams of vodka.
- Let the medicine stand for 2 weeks.
Such a tool is excellent for coping with headaches, migraines, insomnia and other neurological disorders.
Read about how to prepare tinctures of cherries, strawberries, pine nuts, black currants, apples, black chokeberry.
Remember that the recipes of traditional medicine - this is certainly a good method of treatment, but they are not always able to replace traditional medicine. So do not hesitate in case of such a need to seek help from a doctor.
