The effect of rose hips on blood pressure is ambiguous - in some cases it increases it, and in others it decreases it. In addition to regulating this important indicator, rose hips have a lot of useful properties, which makes it one of the most popular medicinal plants not only in folk, but also in traditional medicine. Because of the pleasant taste of the fruit, rosehip tea and infusion are loved by people both healthy and those suffering from various diseases, including hypertension. How useful is this remedy for them?
Rose hips have many medicinal properties, making them one of the most popular medicinal plants.
Plant composition
Admirers of traditional medicine use all parts of the plant to prepare medicines: the root system, leaves and even flower petals. However, rose hips are more popular, from which they are made:
- teas;
- tinctures;
- decoctions.
Popularity among the population increased after the discovery of a large amount of ascorbic acid in rose hips, as well as provitamin A. But this is not a complete list of useful substances that are part of the plant. Let us list its components in detail.
- Carotene;
- Vitamins: C, A, P, K, E, B1, B2, B6, B9;
- Bioflavonoids;
- Substances: tannins, nitrogen-containing substances, flavones and cahetins;
- Cellulose;
- Pectins;
- Sahara;
- Organic acids: citric, malic and others;
- Minerals: iron, manganese, potassium and calcium salts, phosphates, chromium, magnesium;
- Fats and unsaturated fatty acids;
- Essential oils.
How ancient healers used rose hips
Healing herbs are the most ancient way to treat all diseases. Illnesses have plagued people at all times. And when there was no trace of traditional medicine, patients turned to witch doctors and healers, whose main tool was medicinal plants. Rose hips are one of the plants that have a lot of useful properties and occupy a worthy place among medicinal plants.
The healing bush has a huge number of sharp thorns on its branches. This is where the plant got its name, which is far from unique.
Rose hips are also popularly called:
- Shipshina;
- Rooster berry;
- Collector;
- Rosehip;
- Wild Rose;
- Northern Orange;
- Serbalina, etc.
There is also a statement that the name rosehip comes from the Greek language, which means “pink”. This hypothesis can also take place, since during flowering the bright green bush is covered with soft pink flowers.
Historians date the first mention of rose hips to the 4th century BC. According to legend, the ancient Greeks were the first to discover the healing properties of the plant. Rosehip was one of the most important medicines at that time and was used to cure a large number of ailments.
Rooster berry was used:
- For rinsing your mouth. Rosehip decoction strengthens the gums, preventing them from bleeding, and blocks the development of caries.
- As an anti-inflammatory remedy for colds.
- The decoction also accelerated the healing of wounds.
Most of the recipes used by the ancient Greeks are successfully used by traditional healers today, and unchanged.
Over time, rose hips became popular among us. Already during the times of Kievan Rus, entire expeditions were assembled to collect medicinal plants, since the people understood that the result of treatment depended on the quality of the raw materials.
Beneficial features
The substances listed above indicate the plant’s great potential as a medicinal product. Taking products made on its basis requires a qualified approach, since the medicinal properties of rose hips are a fact confirmed by science.
Rosehip is a plant of the Rosaceae family, has:
- bactericidal, diuretic and choleretic properties;
- normalizes redox processes in the human body;
- relieves inflammatory processes;
- improves gastrointestinal function;
- increases immunity;
- increases performance;
- reduces the amount of cholesterol;
- normalizes blood clotting;
- takes part in the formation of prothrombin;
- strengthens capillaries;
- stimulates metabolism;
- has an effect on blood pressure.
Based on the above, it is not surprising that it is widely used in medicine, as a drug for diseases such as:
- flu;
- cholelithiasis;
- ARVI;
- anemia;
- atherosclerosis;
- gynecological diseases;
- hypertension;
- hypotension.
People suffering from hyperacidity or gastritis should be careful when taking rosehip-based medications.
The influence of “shipshina” on the blood pressure of expectant mothers
Folk remedies are the best that medicine can offer to pregnant women, and all because the approved medications in this case are very limited. Due to significant changes in hormonal levels and due to the fact that fluid is retained in the body of pregnant women, women with an “interesting position” often experience edema, and blood pressure often increases.
If there are no contraindications or side effects, ladies expecting a baby are allowed to drink rosehip tea. This medicine, when used systematically in a matter of days, relieves swelling, improves the functioning of the immune system and stabilizes blood resistance. Rosehip decoction reduces the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases and the possibility of contracting an infection.
Does it increase or decrease blood pressure levels?
Many people suffering from hypertension or hypotension do not notice the obvious connection between rose hips and blood pressure. But despite this, most sources directly indicate: the method of preparing the drug, its concentration and dosage affect a person’s blood pressure.
Alcohol tincture of rosehip is contraindicated for hypertensive patients, as it sharply increases blood pressure.
An alcoholic tincture made from any part of the plant helps increase blood pressure. Water infusion, on the contrary, reduces blood pressure, so it is strictly contraindicated for hypotensive patients.
Reviews
Rosehip is a folk remedy. It is widely used for medicinal purposes for high and low blood pressure. Hypertension is accompanied by the development of certain symptoms and can disrupt the patient’s normal life.
For such a disease, diagnosis includes regular blood pressure measurements, and deviations from normal values may indicate the development of pathology.
It is possible to alleviate the condition with the help of rose hips, which is part of various folk remedies. The plant also helps improve the functioning of the immune system, cope with anemia and cardiovascular diseases.
In addition, it removes toxins from the blood, cleanses the intestines and improves overall well-being.
Anton, 45 years old. Moscow: “I have been suffering from such a disease as hypertension for quite a long time. To treat the pathology, I used various drugs, but did not get the desired effect. Since my youth I have been tormented by gastritis, so taking medications in the form of tablets is contraindicated for me. Plants such as valerian and mint, which are often used for hypertension, did not work for me and caused increased drowsiness.
In recent months I have been using such a natural remedy as rose hips. Every day I drink a decoction of the fruit several times a day after eating hot food, and for a month now my blood pressure has been within normal limits. In addition, thanks to this drink, it was possible to avoid colds during the autumn-winter season.”
Alina, 54 years old, Kaluga: “In the summer we always collect rose hips at the dacha and drink this tea throughout the year. My husband does not have any problems with blood pressure, but thanks to the tonic effect of the drink, he has become less tired at work.
My mother-in-law suffers from hypertension and after drinking tea made from dry berries, she notes a slight decrease in blood pressure. My daughter, on the contrary, has hypotension, so I bought her an alcohol tincture of this medicinal plant at the pharmacy. She takes it a few drops in the morning to increase her blood pressure. Rosehip is an interesting crop that has different effects on the body.”
Irina, 35 years old, Smorgon: “Recently, problems with blood pressure have appeared, that is, hypertension has developed. To eliminate the problem, I decided to use rose hips, which also helps boost immunity. I see the benefit of such a plant in that it contains a lot of useful substances and vitamins, and also helps improve immunity. Drinking tea from the fruit helped me lower my blood pressure, improve my well-being and cope with constant drowsiness.”
How to use it correctly?
Most often, people brew the fruits of the shrub to prevent viral diseases, overlooking its ability to influence blood pressure. This inattention often leads to sudden surges in pressure, complicating the course of the underlying disease.
Any brewing method kills a certain amount of useful components included in the composition. However, by using some tricks you can maintain their number.
- When brewing, use hot water at a temperature of 60°C. Wait 2-3 minutes and pour in the required amount of boiling water. Healing substances will not be harmed!
- For brewing, use a thermos with a glass flask.
Even small brewing tricks will not help if a low-quality product is used as a remedy!
If you harvest rose hips yourself, you can preserve all the beneficial properties of the plant:
- picking the fruits before the first frost;
- by drying the rose hips outdoors in the shade or using a special oven.
- storing in a canvas bag in a well-ventilated, dry place, having previously removed all damaged fruits.
High-quality raw materials will serve as the basis for preparing a healthy vitamin drink for two years.
Where to get and how to store
It is recommended to collect rosehip outside the city limits where there is no dust or exhaust gases.
Rose hips are collected in forests, as well as in the floodplains of lakes and rivers. The farther the bushes are from roadways, the better. The main habitat of the plant is in the European part of the Russian Federation and western Siberia.
The most favorable time for collection is September. It is in this autumn month that the fruits fully ripen, fill with color and are filled with a sufficient amount of vitamin C. Rose hips can be prepared for the winter; there are several ways to do this:
Dried
- In an electric dryer. Sort out the berries from debris, place them on drying trays and dry for 8-10 hours. The average temperature is 60-70 degrees. After the fruits are ready, they are placed in jars or fabric bags.
- In the oven. The fruits are sorted and placed in an even, thin layer on a baking sheet. Better covered with baking paper. Before drying, preheat the oven to 60 degrees. The fruits are dried for about 5-7 hours, with the door slightly open. When the berries are ready, they become light and the skin is wrinkled. Store in jars or fabric bags.
- In a ventilated area. Sort the berries, remove dry leaves and branches. Then cover the drying surface with newspaper or tracing paper and lay the fruits in a thin, even layer. During the drying process, from time to time sort through the berries and remove rotten ones. Rose hips are ready for packaging in containers when the peel becomes thin and when pressing on the berries they break into particles.
Recipes for high blood pressure
Regular use of rosehip decoctions for high blood pressure will gently lower blood pressure, easing the general condition of a person. Here are a few examples of the correct preparation of a medicine that stabilizes blood pressure.
Recipe one
Ingredients
- half a glass of plant fruits;
- a glass of onion peel;
- half a liter of boiling water.
Mix the listed components and add boiled water. Next, place in a water bath for 15 minutes. Remove the broth from the heat and let it brew until it gets a rich color. Take the drink twice a day, 1/2 cup.
The drug quickly copes with high blood pressure, normalizing the general condition and strengthening the immune system.
Tincture from the fruits of medicinal plants
Ingredients
- rose hip;
- hawthorn;
- black rowan fruits;
- cranberry.
The fruits of the listed plants are taken in equal proportions. Next, pour three tablespoons of the medicinal mixture into a glass of boiling water. After half an hour, the infusion is filtered. Take 1/3 cup before meals.
Rosehip decoctions, which include other medicinal plants, quickly reduce blood pressure. To avoid a sharp drop in blood pressure, they must be taken strictly following the dosage, after consulting a doctor.
How to prepare a decoction to lower blood pressure?
The effect of berries on blood pressure depends on the method of preparation.
In order for rose hips to have a beneficial effect on high blood pressure, it is important to prepare the drug correctly. To do this, use a coffee grinder or blender to grind the fruits. Pour two glasses of water into two tablespoons of ground rose hips. Put on fire, boil for a quarter of an hour. Cool the resulting broth and leave for at least two hours. Strain the resulting product. You can use it pure or add honey, lemon juice, and sugar to it to taste. This method lowers blood pressure.
Recipes for low blood pressure
As a rule, with low blood pressure, alcohol tinctures are used, which help raise the pressure to the desired levels. You can purchase such medications ready-made at any pharmacy, or prepare them yourself at home. Here are several recipes for preparing a tincture that raises blood pressure to the required levels.
- Using a blender, chop five tablespoons of rose hips. Next, transfer it to a glass bottle and add 500 ml of alcohol or vodka. The tincture is infused for about a week and taken 30 ml before meals once a day.
- Pour one tablespoon of sage with pre-prepared and heated rosehip infusion, in the proportion of 1 spoon per glass of infusion and let it brew. After 2 hours, strain and take a teaspoon seven times a day.
An alcohol infusion purchased at a pharmacy is taken: 20 drops/3 times a day before meals.
Excessive dosage of rosehip alcohol infusion is dangerous. Exceeding the recommended dose can not only raise your blood pressure sharply, but also lead to liver damage.
Treatment of hypotension with rose hips
The formulation is intended specifically for low blood pressure. To avoid harm to the body, consult your doctor before starting the course. If necessary, he will adjust the dosages that are right for you.
Classic tincture
Place 5 tbsp in a bottle. l crushed berries, pour 500 ml of vodka and put the container in a dark place for 10 days. Once the tincture is ready, it can be consumed. The maximum daily dose is 90 drops in 3 doses. The recommended course of therapy is 21 days. If necessary, take a break for about 10-14 days, and then repeat the course.
With lemon
Place 3 tbsp in a saucepan. Pour one liter of boiling water over spoons of rose hips and let the mixture brew for about three hours. While the infusion is preparing, grind 5 ripe lemons along with the zest through a meat grinder. After the rosehip drink is ready, combine it with lemon pulp, place the composition in a bottle, and put it in the refrigerator for another 3 hours.
After the specified time has passed, you need to add 300 grams of natural honey to the healing composition and mix all the components thoroughly. Take: 3 times a day, 1 tablespoon.
Instead of alcohol - honey
Tincture of rosehip with honey lowers blood pressure.
Add 5 tablespoons of natural honey to 0.5 liters of warm water and leave until the product is completely dissolved. While the honey is infusing, prepare a rosehip drink. To do this, 3 tablespoons of berries are washed, crushed in a blender and poured with 200 ml of boiling water.
The gruel is infused for 4-5 hours and then combined with honey tincture. After a day, the drink is ready for use. You should drink the medicine 3 times a day, 1 tablespoon. The recommended course of therapy is 3-4 weeks.
To quickly increase the body's resistance to viruses and infections, you can make jam from fresh fruits. Not only is it healthy, it is also incredibly tasty. For preparation you will need 200 grams of berries, 150 grams of granulated sugar and 500 milliliters of water.
Sort the berries, rinse, boil for 20-30 minutes. Then cool, rub through a sieve and cook again. 20 minutes after boiling, dissolve sugar in the jam and dilute with water to the desired thickness. After this, boil for another 10 minutes, cool and pour into jars.
List of contraindications
Like any medicine, rose hips have contraindications for use.
- Frequent use of decoctions can lead to blackening and destruction of tooth enamel. In this regard, after each dose, you should rinse your mouth thoroughly.
- Long-term use of drugs based on parts of the plant can lead to liver dysfunction.
- The high content of vitamin C in the plant provokes complications of stomach ulcers and exacerbation of gastritis.
- It affects the formation of blood clots, and if consumed excessively, provokes thrombophlebitis.
- Its use is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for children under three years of age.
Rosehip infusions should not be used by people:
- with impaired blood circulation;
- with high acidity;
- skin disease or suffering from constipation.
And also read about the effect of motherwort, St. John's wort and thyme on blood pressure
Does rosehip help with blood pressure during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a wonderful period in the life of every woman. But sometimes it can be overshadowed by ailments such as edema and a decrease or increase in blood pressure. Due to the fact that the list of drugs for pregnant women is quite narrow and many of them have contraindications, we have to look for alternative methods to combat diseases. In this case, rose hips will come in handy. During pregnancy, it can be taken if there are no allergic reactions. Tinctures (without alcohol), decoctions, syrups, as well as fresh fruits help relieve swelling, normalize blood pressure and increase the body's resistance to various viral infections.
Useful video
In the video below you will find out when rosehip increases blood pressure and when it decreases it:
In conclusion, I would like to summarize all of the above. The benefits of rose hips are undeniable, especially for a weakened body, due to the high content of vitamins. The fruits of this plant help to restore strength in the shortest possible time, boost immunity, and in the hot season they perfectly quench thirst. Moreover, as we found out, it is capable of both increasing and decreasing blood pressure, so with the right approach it is an indispensable assistant for both hypertensive and hypotensive patients.
However, you should remember that self-medication can have a detrimental effect on your health, so before taking any medicine based on this plant, you should consult a doctor.
What is the result of using rose hips?
So, does rose hips increase or decrease blood pressure? When producing pharmacological drugs, manufacturers conduct many tests on animals, evaluate the body's reactions to a particular medication and can confidently claim the effect. With plants the situation is different - it is often difficult to guess what the effect of rose hips on blood pressure will be. The result always depends on the characteristics of the body, the amount of product consumed and the form in which the medicinal product is prepared
Therefore, lovers of herbal medicine need to know the following information:
- Rosehip increases blood pressure if the plant is prepared in the form of an alcohol tincture. It stimulates the work of the heart muscle, increases the heart rate, increases the number of heart beats per minute, and accordingly increases blood pressure. A tincture based on alcohol from rose hips is useful for hypotensive patients and will have the desired effect if taken in the morning.
- Rose hips reduce blood pressure when prepared as a tincture or decoction of water. This remedy has a sedative effect, helps eliminate insomnia, normalizes blood pressure if it is elevated and relieves tachycardia. However, a rosehip decoction in water should not be taken by car drivers during the daytime - it can cause drowsiness.
- In the absence of a direct connection between rose hips and blood pressure, for example, in people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system, it is recommended to use an aqueous decoction of the fruit in low concentration. It has an anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect, cleansing the body of bacteria and relieving signs of infection, while not affecting blood pressure.
Many hypertensive patients have probably noticed that with colds and the feverish syndrome that accompanies them, blood pressure can rise sharply
There is a jump in blood pressure against the background of temperature fluctuations, which affect the tone of the vascular walls. During chills, the capillaries sharply narrow, and after active sweating begins, they expand. Therefore, consuming rose hips during a cold not only helps to sweat and alleviate the signs of intoxication in the body, but also lowers blood pressure. People who do not suffer from fluctuations in blood pressure are recommended to use rosehip-based decoctions as a powerful immunostimulant.
It is suitable for combating infectious agents during cold epidemics, as well as for accelerating recovery if you still manage to become infected.
Precautionary measures
With prolonged and uncontrolled use of rosehip-based compositions, undesirable effects may occur:
- darkening of tooth enamel - the effect is due to the natural dye that is part of rose hips (after drinking drinks, you should rinse your mouth with water);
- problems with bowel movements - the development of constipation appears due to the fixative effect of the plant, therefore, while taking decoctions, you should introduce fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, fiber into the diet, and drink as much water as possible;
- bloating - the problem of gas formation will not occur if, during treatment with the plant, you drink decoctions of dill and parsley, eat celery, and also do not exceed the prescribed dose of drinks with rose hips.
You can collect rose hips yourself or buy them at a pharmacy. Those who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases (ulcers, gastritis with high acidity) or are predisposed to liver and skin problems should not take formulations with rose hips. Such drugs are also not recommended for patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases and a tendency to form blood clots.
To avoid side effects from taking rose hips, you should first consult with your doctor about possible contraindications. Treatment of chronic hypertension with rosehip should be combined with the use of medications prescribed by the doctor - rosehip increases their absorption and accelerates the achievement of results. Using the fruits of the plant to lower or increase blood pressure is the choice of each individual patient; the main thing is to follow the rules for preparing the formulations and take the products regularly.
