Hawthorn leaves are offered in the form of tea preparations, also in filter bags or as combination preparations of the group of cardiovascular teas. In herbal medicine, hawthorn preparations continue to occupy a leading place among the most commonly purchased remedies. Hawthorn is available in the form of film-coated tablets, coated tablets, capsules and drops. In addition, the drug is contained in many combination preparations for strengthening the cardiovascular system.
Dose and duration of use
The mean daily dose, unless otherwise prescribed, is 160-900 mg of a native aqueous-alcoholic extract. This corresponds to approximately 30-169 mg of the oligomeric procyanidins or 3.5-20 mg of the flavonoids in 2-3 individual doses.
The duration of use should be at least 6 weeks, regular and sufficient dosage – only then the full effect is achieved with the treatment.
Hawthorn as a tea preparation
To make a tea, 1-1.5 g of the finely chopped drug (1 teaspoon corresponds to about 1.8 g) is poured over boiling water and after 15 minutes passed through a tea strainer. One cup of the tea should be drunk 3-4 times a day.
The drug should be stored in a dry place, protected from light.
Contraindications: When should hawthorn not be taken?
- In manifest heart failure should not drink specially prepared tea!
- Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under 12 years should take hawthorn preparations only after medical advice.
- Hawthorn is not suitable for self-treatment, before taking the exact causes of the complaints should first be clarified by a doctor.
What to consider when using?
Hawthorn is said to be effective in high-dose form even in stage III heart failure. However, hawthorn preparations are not recommended as a sole measure for the therapy of moderate and severe symptoms of the cardiovascular system.
If symptoms persist unchanged for more than 6 weeks, water retention in the legs, and pain radiating to the upper abdomen, arms, or neck area in the cardiac region, it is imperative that a physician be consulted.