Hawthorn tincture is a herbal medicine with moderate cardiotonic, antispasmodic and sedative effects. It is used in the complex therapy of cardialgia, menopausal syndrome, astheno-neurotic conditions and hypertension.
Despite the low toxicity of the drug, taking the tincture in high doses leads to the development of an overdose.
Source: vrbiz.ru
What is it and where is it used?
Hawthorn tincture is a popular medicine. Produced on the basis of alcohol. The solution contains hawthorn extract, lemon oil and glycerin - substances that are safe for health. It is a brown-yellow liquid. Available in bottles of 100, 40 and 25 ml. Available in pharmacies without a prescription.
The medicine contains specific acids that help normalize the functioning of the heart muscle, blood circulation in the brain and other organs.
Where is hawthorn used?
In medicine, the tincture is used to treat many diseases in adults. Previously, the tincture was used for dysentery. Currently, hawthorn has found wider application. Appointed:
- For vegetative-vascular dystonia, the tincture helps to cope with attacks of anxiety and restore normal blood pressure.
- In combination with other medications, hawthorn is prescribed for painful sensations in the heart.
- Often the medicinal solution is used for various vascular diseases.
Hawthorn tincture helps lower cholesterol levels, slows down the aging process, and has a tonic effect on the heart muscle and blood vessels. Hawthorn lotions are often found on sale and are used in cosmetology as cleansers. It can be used to add to medicinal baths.
However, hawthorn solution is a medicine that has a number of contraindications.
Cannot be used for:
- allergic reactions and intolerance to ingredients;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- chronic abuse of alcoholic beverages;
- children under twelve years of age;
- any liver diseases in acute and chronic form;
- traumatic brain injuries of varying complexity.
In the presence of such pathological processes, the use of hawthorn tincture leads to negative consequences. Before treatment with a medicinal solution, you must consult a medical professional.
Future prospects
Data from the pharmaceutical market makes it very clear that taking alcohol-containing tinctures brings quite a lot of profit to this industry. This suggests that people suffering from alcoholism are indiscriminate in the alcohol they consume. But since this is a disease that causes dependence on alcohol, it needs to be treated, and not look for something to get a hangover with. It is quite difficult to force a person to seek medical help at a drug dispensary, so alcoholics are looking for a cheap way to cure a hangover. Hawthorn tincture ranks high on this list.
Despite the efforts of government authorities to reduce the consumption of alcohol substitutes by the population, the demand for them does not decrease for the following reasons:
- Low market value compared to booze.
- Can be purchased at any time of the day in unlimited quantities.
Yes, the use of these drugs for medicinal purposes is an aid to the main treatment, and can serve as an addition to it. But uncontrolled drinking, drinking on the advice of a friend, or reading on the Internet can lead to serious consequences and harm the entire body. At first it may seem that this really helps, but in reality it may turn out that the cause of the disease is located elsewhere. The opinion that the effect of alcohol preparations, in particular hawthorn, is harmless is erroneous. This is confirmed by many pharmaceutical doctors.
In this regard, the government of individual regions turned to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation with a proposal to exclude these drugs from the list of drugs dispensed without a prescription. An additional excise tax on these tinctures should be introduced or the alcohol content should be reduced to 10-15%, which in turn will make it unprofitable to take them for non-medical purposes. Since in most cases these drugs are bought for intoxication, which causes irreparable harm.
Such products are designed for use in drops in a strict dosage as prescribed by the attending physician, and not in spoons and vials.
Such a strong dependence on it is a problem for the entire state. And the prospect, unfortunately, is completely disappointing, since if this drug is removed from production, alcoholics will find a replacement for it. Therefore, the problem here is not in the drug, but in the person himself. Only he decides what to drink, in what quantities and whether it is worth poisoning his body with surrogates. So there is always a choice.
Although the republic has banned the sale of alcohol in the evenings and on weekends, squeamish people who really want to drink will always find something to drink. It seems that for certain segments of the population what to drink is no longer such an important issue. The main thing is that it “gurgles”. So it “gurgles” - first vodka, then beer, then various surrogates, for example, “Hawthorn”...
Homeless drink
The chief physician of the Republican Narcological Dispensary, Irina Badirgy, says that the situation with Hawthorn has worsened in the last three years: alcohol substitutes are becoming increasingly popular. “Patients who drink Hawthorn, a chemical mixture similar to a windshield wiper, began to come to the drug dispensary more often. Their condition often requires increased attention from doctors.
In general, “Hawthorn” is a surrogate alcohol for the poor, low-income people and homeless people. This is their drink. But people also buy pharmaceutical “Hawthorn” - it is clear that if a person takes 10-15 bottles of hawthorn tincture, this is clearly not for treatment. With the increase in excise taxes, quality alcohol has become unaffordable for many.”
Not dead yet?
“What is it? - the man, who himself is not averse to taking a sip of the bottle from time to time, is surprised. - It's alcohol! 75 degrees! You dilute three “fanfurics” (bottles - author’s note) and that’s it - here you have half a liter, even more!
A guy at work has been drinking Hawthorn for six months now and nothing, he hasn’t died yet... I bought it for him myself. He treated me too. They got drunk, which means they drank. And what? I just want to sleep after it. The taste is not much different from vodka, but there is a strange aftertaste... And so vodka and vodka. True, the next day I was “gargled” like that... I thought I was going to spit out my liver.... I haven't drunk it since then. I'm better than vodka... Although, if you take it that way, sometimes “Hawthorn” is better than vodka. One guy bought cheap vodka from us, drank it, and the next day he almost died! I bought Hawthorn, got a hangover, felt better..."
Let's start with health...
Toxicology is also concerned about the situation with “hawthorns” - this is the name given to people who ended up in a hospital bed with poisoning after consuming this drug. “Those who start drinking vodka then go lower and lower - vodka, strong beer, surrogates. Patients themselves tell us when they come to their senses. As they say, they start for health... But drinkers are always tight with money, so they switch to something that is cheaper.
When a person is admitted with poisoning, we do not have the opportunity to conduct an analysis and find out what the person was poisoned with. You can’t tell whether he was poisoned by vodka or hawthorn. Only they themselves know what they drink there.”
"Pharmacy alcohol"
We decided to find out what people actually drink from Rospotrebnadzor of Tuva. And they asked for an examination of the pharmaceutical tincture of hawthorn and that “Hawthorn” that is sold in stalls. And this is what they answered us:
“Hawthorn tincture” (international name: hawthorn fruit) is a herbal medicine used in the complex treatment of functional disorders of the heart. Sold only in pharmacies, used as prescribed by a doctor, sold without a prescription, has instructions for use. Ingredients, as stated on the label: tincture of hawthorn fruits in 70% ethyl alcohol (1:10). It should be consumed 20-25 drops. The pharmacy chain sells bottles of 25 milliliters.
Laboratory studies of the composition of medicinal products, which include hawthorn tincture, are not included in the scope of accreditation of the testing laboratory.
“Hawthorn” is not the same...
“The medicinal product “Hawthorn Tincture” should be distinguished from the cosmetic lotion “Hawthorn”, which is freely sold in retail outlets.
Cosmetic lotion “Hawthorn” is included in the list of perfumery and cosmetic products in accordance with the All-Russian Classification of Products and is not a medicine (tincture). The cosmetic lotion “Hawthorn” has a certificate of conformity confirming its quality and safety for use for cosmetic purposes.
The lotion label contains the following information: the warning “Use for food purposes is hazardous to health!”
, area of application: “For daily use on problem skin. Cleanses, tones, relieves inflammatory processes.” Ingredients: rectified ethyl alcohol from food raw materials, hawthorn extract, glycerin, fragrance, purified water. The label indicates the method of use, manufacturer information, etc.
The volume of one bottle of lotion is usually 100 ml and contains 75 percent ethyl alcohol. Price for 1 piece. does not exceed 20-30 rubles.”
Name confusion
Due to the fact that cosmetic lotion manufacturers give their products a “pharmacy” name, this product is confused with a medicine that helps with diseases of the cardiovascular system, according to Rospotrebnadzor. The low price and high alcohol content leads to the fact that people “smear” this cosmetic on their stomach, rather than their face.
“It should be noted that a testing laboratory can conduct laboratory tests of the cosmetic lotion “Hawthorn”, but only for compliance with the requirements for cosmetic products, not food,” the response says.
Are two peas alike?
Rospotrebnadzor of Khakassia last year, at the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, conducted an examination of the cosmetic “Hawthorn”. We have received the results. “Samples of products taken from one of the retail outlets in Abakan, in terms of the content of the mass fraction of ethyl alcohol and the presence of heavy metal salts, met the requirements of established standards for cosmetic products.
The results of laboratory studies do not allow us to assert that hawthorn tincture sold in pharmacies has significant differences from cosmetic lotion sold in retail chains. However, its use, contrary to the purposes and purposes indicated on the product label, especially in excess, has dangerous consequences for human health and life.”
The fight is still unsuccessful
The Office of Rospotrebnadzor in the Republic of Tyva received applications from citizens about the sale of cosmetic products “Hawthorn”, “Ginseng”, “Troyar” and others in retail outlets. Rospotrebnadzor conducted inspections and sent administrative materials on the facts of the sale of “Hawthorn” to the judicial authorities. However, the courts refused to hold entrepreneurs administratively liable due to the absence of an administrative offense in their actions, citing the fact that the products they sell have the necessary accompanying documentation, mandatory information on the label and are not prohibited for distribution on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Thus, the Department concludes that today there are no administrative levers of influence on manufacturers and distributors of such cosmetic products.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuva also constantly conducts raids to suppress illegal trafficking in alcoholic beverages. “According to the Government Decree, the maximum packaging volume of perfumery and cosmetic products for colognes and fragrant and toilet waters should not exceed 150 ml. The volume of consumer packaging for “Hawthorn” lotion is 100 ml., i.e. does not exceed the established maximum volume, the department explains. “And it is often not possible to bring entrepreneurs to criminal or administrative liability due to the lack of legal grounds.”
Life threatening
Although the use of tinctures of various herbs can help in basic treatment, consuming them in large quantities can cost a person his life. Tinctures are designed for doses measured in drops, not spoons, much less bubbles. Pharmaceutical "Hawthorn" should be taken in drops; consumption in large doses causes heart rhythm disturbances - bradycardia. Symptoms of bradycardia are pain in the heart area, irregular heart rhythm, drowsiness. The opinion about the complete harmlessness of medicinal plants and alcoholic tinctures based on them does not correspond to reality. “With uncontrolled use of pharmaceutical Hawthorn, the cardiovascular system suffers with all the ensuing complications,” says the chief physician of the drug dispensary.
Alcohol further enhances the effect of hawthorn; it can cause such poisoning that will end in death: “When using surrogate “Hawthorn”, the consequences can be even worse - poisoning, even death,” warns Irina Opanasovna.
No solution yet
This “alternative” alcohol market is an acute and big problem not only for Tuva, but also for Russia as a whole. As they say, “the need for invention is cunning” - “Hawthorn” will be banned, alcoholics will find a replacement for it. It turns out that everything remains at the discretion of the person himself. And if he himself decides to be poisoned by surrogates, no one will be able to help him. To drink or not to drink - the choice always remains.
Hawthorn tincture is a herbal medicine with moderate cardiotonic, antispasmodic and sedative effects. It is used in the complex therapy of cardialgia, menopausal syndrome, astheno-neurotic conditions and hypertension.
Despite the low toxicity of the drug, taking the tincture in high doses leads to the development of an overdose.
Source: vrbiz.ru
Unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor, take hawthorn tincture 3-4 times a day, 20-30 drops, dissolved in a small amount of water. The course of treatment is no more than a month, followed by a break. If necessary, therapy can be continued after a break.
The exact amount of the drug leading to an overdose has not been determined, since it depends on the individual characteristics of the patient (age, weight, body condition, etc.). There have been cases of overdose when taking more than 100 drops (2.5 ml).
Hawthorn tincture should be taken with caution simultaneously with β-blockers (Anaprilin, Biprol, Cordanum) and cardiac glycosides (Strophanthin, Korglykon, Digoxin), as they potentiate each other’s action. The combined use of hawthorn tincture and β-blockers is often accompanied by a sharp decrease in blood pressure, up to the development of collapse. The combination of tincture and cardiac glycosides leads to an increased cardiotonic effect (decreasing the excitability of the heart muscle while simultaneously increasing its contractile function).
Hawthorn tincture is an alcohol-containing product. People suffering from alcoholism often use it for the purpose of alcoholic intoxication, drinking a bottle (25 ml) at a time, and sometimes several. This is the most common cause of severe overdose.
Causes and signs of hawthorn poisoning
Intoxication with hawthorn tincture in most cases occurs in alcoholics. However, it is possible for a healthy person to develop poisoning. Why does poisoning occur:
- Oral use in increased dosage.
- When taken together with: narcotic substances, alcohol, heart medications, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, beta-blockers.
Another cause of poisoning in people with alcoholism is the use of surrogates. Unscrupulous manufacturers replace ethanol in the tincture with methanol. Even in minimal quantities, such a compound is very dangerous to human health.
How does intoxication with hawthorn tincture manifest itself? When taken orally, the first symptoms are diagnosed after a couple of hours.
Symptoms of intoxication:
- heartbeat slows down;
- gag reflex, nausea;
- headaches, dizziness;
- weakness, desire to sleep;
- a sharp decrease in pressure;
- painful sensations in the abdomen, cramps;
- disruptions in the breathing process;
- visual impairment;
- bluish skin in the area of the nasolabial triangle;
- increased nervousness, strong excitement, which is replaced by apathy;
- loss of consciousness;
- coma.
When poisoned with surrogates (methanol), at first the person feels intoxicated. Gradually, the victim experiences severe pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, and rapid pulse.
A clear indicator is a violation of visual function; in severe cases, complete loss of vision is possible. The patient may have convulsive manifestations, loss of consciousness and coma. In the absence of help, death occurs in most situations.
Side effects of the tincture
If there is an allergy to the drug, it will immediately manifest itself in the form of severe itching and hives. In addition, there is a slowdown in heart rate, decreased blood pressure, drowsiness, and lethargy. Such symptoms may occur if the tincture is taken longer than the prescribed time. Side effects may include dizziness or tingling in the extremities.
If side effects appear, then you should stop taking the medicine. And the symptoms that appear usually go away on their own during drug withdrawal and do not require additional symptomatic treatment.
First aid for hawthorn intoxication
If signs of an overdose of hawthorn are detected, you must immediately call a medical team. The victim is placed on his side so that he does not choke on vomit, and first aid is given to him. Actions:
- First of all, gastric lavage is performed. The poisoned person is given at least half a liter of water to drink and is induced to vomit. Repeat until there are no impurities left in the exiting water.
- The patient is provided with access to fresh air.
- After washing, the person is given sorbents - activated carbon, Polysorb, Enterosgel.
- It is recommended to give the patient water and tea. It is necessary to give liquid in small portions, but often.
- It is recommended to provide peace to the person and cover him with a blanket.
In the absence of consciousness and heartbeat, resuscitation measures are required - indirect cardiac massage, artificial respiration. After first aid is provided, the victim is sent to a medical facility.
Treatment is prescribed after a thorough examination. There is no specific antidote. Therapy includes the administration of medicinal solutions intravenously, the use of atropine to reduce signs of bradycardia.
The patient is prescribed medications to normalize blood pressure, vitamin complexes, and medications that restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the poisoning and the patient's condition.
What is the dosage of the drug
You should drink the tincture at least three or four times a day before meals. Number of drops
ranges from twenty to thirty. The course of treatment with this tincture ranges from 20 days to one month. The main thing before starting treatment is to get a prescription from your doctor, since unauthorized use of this medicine can cause harm to the human body.
If hawthorn tincture is prescribed by a pediatrician to a child over twelve years of age, then the dosage is ten to fifteen drops three or four times a day before meals. To make it easier for your child to use this tincture, it is recommended to dilute it in a small amount of water. This method will allow you to not taste the alcohol so much.
If the drug is combined with any other medications, then you should inform your doctor about this. Since combining drops with other medications can affect the cardiac system, blood pressure and general well-being of the patient.
Prevention of hawthorn poisoning
The consequences of hawthorn poisoning are the most severe. If treatment is delayed, disability or death may occur. You can prevent poisoning if you use hawthorn as a medicine for its intended purpose, and not drink it instead of alcoholic beverages. The solution is taken strictly according to the instructions; it is unacceptable to exceed the dosage on your own. You need to purchase the medicine at the pharmacy.
Poisoning with hawthorn tincture can cause serious complications and death. If suspicious symptoms are detected, you must immediately contact a medical facility and do not self-treat.
When to use the drug
Treatment with such a drug is usually prescribed by a doctor as a complex therapy for diseases of the cardiovascular system. Hawthorn has a clear calming effect. In addition, the tincture helps with:
- arrhythmias;
- tachycardia;
- angina pectoris;
- atherosclerosis;
- menopause;
- during times of stress and strong emotional experiences;
- hypertensive patients drink tincture to regulate blood pressure;
- in adulthood, hawthorn helps in the fight against cholesterol plaques;
In addition, the tincture improves lipid metabolism and is excellent for coronary heart disease. Hawthorn is great for sleep problems. The tincture improves overall well-being
Video: why do they drink hawthorn?
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Consequences
Most types of alcohol poisoning are treated with medications. Most often, patients are placed in intensive care. The consequences of intoxication can be the most severe. Surrogate alcohol has a destructive effect on human internal organs. Delayed assistance can lead to death.
More than 90% of deaths occur because the person was not given first aid before the ambulance arrived. It is very important to quickly rinse the victim’s stomach. The same procedure is repeated in a hospital setting using a probe. But the first aid method is effective only within two hours from the moment of poisoning.
First aid for poisoning by surrogates should be fast and of high quality. A person’s life depends on it. Gastric lavage is contraindicated if the victim is comatose or unconscious.
Video: “Hawthorn” poisoning and “pharmacy” alcoholism.
