The Red Jewel for Your Heart: Hawthorn Benefits and How to Make Tea for Cardiovascular Health

Hello.

There are so many small yet powerful gifts from nature around us. Today, I want to talk in-depth about a red jewel known as the 'fruit for the heart,' Hawthorn (known as 'Sansa' in Korea), which has been widely used for cardiovascular health since ancient times. Through this post, you'll learn about the amazing benefits Hawthorn offers our bodies and how to properly brew Hawthorn tea to fully enjoy its effects.

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Protect your heart with the great power of nature contained in a small berry—Hawthorn.

What benefits does Hawthorn have?

Hawthorn is the fruit of the Crataegus tree, a member of the rose family, and is characterized by its sweet and sour taste. It's not just a simple fruit but a precious ingredient that has been used as a medicinal herb for ages in both the East and West. It shows particularly outstanding benefits for cardiovascular health and digestive function, which are among the most critical health issues for modern people.

[Summary of Benefits]

• Strengthens heart function and dilates blood vessels
• Helps regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Promotes digestion and improves gastrointestinal function
• Prevents aging with powerful antioxidant effects

1. Cardiovascular Health Promotion
This is the most well-known benefit of Hawthorn. Powerful antioxidants like flavonoids and procyanidins, abundant in Hawthorn, enhance the contractility of the heart muscle, promoting smooth blood circulation. It also helps dilate blood vessels, allowing blood to flow without obstruction, which can have a positive impact on preventing heart conditions like angina and heart failure.

2. Blood Pressure Regulation
For those concerned about high blood pressure, Hawthorn can be a great choice. Studies have shown that certain compounds in Hawthorn help lower blood pressure by relaxing peripheral blood vessels. Regularly drinking Hawthorn tea can be a healthy habit to help manage blood pressure stably.

3. Improvement in Cholesterol Levels
It is also effective in lowering levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, enemies of vascular health. Hawthorn promotes fat breakdown and improves blood lipid levels, contributing to a reduced risk of vascular diseases like atherosclerosis.

4. Improved Digestive Function
Hawthorn is so effective at promoting digestion that it's often called a 'natural digestive aid.' Drinking Hawthorn tea, especially after eating meat or greasy foods, helps stimulate gastric acid secretion for smoother digestion. It is very effective at relieving discomfort from overeating.

Precautions for Hawthorn Intake (Are there any side effects?)

Even a beneficial herb like Hawthorn requires caution depending on an individual's constitution or condition. Please check the information below to consume it safely.

[Summary of Precautions]

• Avoid consuming on an empty stomach if you have hyperacidity or heartburn.
• Pregnant and lactating women should consult a professional before intake.
• Individuals with hypotension should be cautious with excessive consumption.
• Possible drug interactions if taking heart or blood pressure medication.

1. For those with a weak stomach
Since Hawthorn promotes gastric acid secretion, those who frequently experience heartburn due to high stomach acid, gastric ulcers, or reflux esophagitis should avoid consuming it on an empty stomach and instead have small amounts after meals.

2. Pregnant and lactating women
For pregnant women, there is some opinion that it may induce uterine contractions, so special care is needed. For safety, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to consult a professional before consumption.

3. Patients with hypotension
As Hawthorn has blood pressure-lowering effects, excessive intake by individuals with normal or low blood pressure may cause symptoms like dizziness. It is important to stick to the appropriate amount.

4. Drug Interactions
If you are taking heart medications like digoxin or blood pressure drugs like beta-blockers, Hawthorn may enhance the effects of the medication. If you are currently taking medication for a specific condition, you must consult your doctor or pharmacist before consuming Hawthorn.

How can we use Hawthorn healthily? (How-to Guide)

The healthiest and most convenient way to enjoy Hawthorn is by drinking it as a warm 'tea'. Here is a simple Hawthorn tea recipe you can make at home.

• Brewing Healthy Hawthorn Tea
  1. Prepare Ingredients: Get 15-20 grams of well-dried Hawthorn berries and 1.5 liters of water. You can add a few jujubes or a slice of ginger according to your preference.
  2. Rinse: Lightly rinse the dried Hawthorn under running water to remove any dust.
  3. Boil: Place the Hawthorn and water in a kettle and bring to a boil over high heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 30 minutes to an hour. It's ready when the water has reduced to about two-thirds of the initial amount.
  4. Drink: Strain the solids and drink the tea warm. If the sour taste is too strong, you can add a little honey or oligosaccharide.
• Other Ways to Use
  • Hawthorn Liqueur: Soaking cleaned Hawthorn berries with sugar in soju for at least three months creates a medicinal liqueur that is good for digestion.
  • Hawthorn Jelly/Jam: You can simmer it with sugar or honey to make a jelly or jam to enjoy with bread or yogurt.

In Conclusion

Today, we've explored everything from the benefits of the red jewel, Hawthorn, which protects our cardiovascular health, to how to enjoy it healthily. Isn't it amazing that a single small fruit can benefit our heart, blood vessels, and even our digestive system?

How about a cup of warm Hawthorn tea tonight to relieve the day's fatigue and comfort your body and mind? The beginning of consistent health management starts with small, enjoyable habits like this. I'm cheering for your healthy every day.

[References]

• Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Republic of Korea, Food Raw Material List, 'Crataegus pinnatifida Fruit'
• Wang, J., Xiong, X., & Feng, B. (2013). Effect of Crataegus usage in cardiovascular disease prevention: an evidence-based approach. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
• Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge.

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