Hydrangea

Hydrangea

With Special thanks to Ruth Dyson

Latin Name: Hydrangea arborescens
Family: Hydrangeceae

Part used: Root and rhizome.
Energetics: sweet, pungent, bitter, acrid cooling, drying and astringent.
Iris: All types.
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

There isn't enough reliable information to know if hydrangea is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. 

ACTIONS

  • Demulcent diuretic
  • Anti-lithic (for gravel in urinary system)
  • Urinary analgesic
  • Prostatic tonic
  • Urinary tonic
  • Analgesic
  • Pectoral
  • Purgative
  • Sialagogue
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Blood sugar balancing
  • Anti-neoplastic (bladder cancer)
  • Anti-rheumatic.

Main Constituents

Carbohydrates, starch, sugar.
Flavonoids: kaempferol, quercetin, rutin (prevents blood clots).
Saponins: Hydrangin, hydrangenol (anti-allergic, inhibits histamine and hyluronidase).
Resin, gum, albumin.
Sulphuric and phosphoric acids.
Ferrous salts.
Coumarin and derivatives like skimmin, loganin, and sweroside.
Contains no tannins.

Main Uses

Cystitis, Gravel, Prostatitis. Analgesic to urinary tract, Soothes urinary mucous membranes.
Urinary system: As a diuretic it increases the flow of urine to flush out stones and other deposits from the urinary system. Helpful in urinary tract infections, bladder infections, kidney stones, uric acid diathesis, blood in the urine, prostatitis, enlarged prostate, epididymitis, bladder sphincter spasm, acute nephritis, Gonorrhoea.
Endocrine system: Diabetes (supportive to primary treatment).
Musculo-skeletal system: Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout.
Biliary system: Sluggish bile, hepatic pain.
Respiratory system: Bronchitis and other broncho-pulmonary infections.
Immune system: In some traditional medicine systems, hydrangea root was used to treat autoimmune conditions, although there's currently limited scientific research to support this use.

More About Hydrangea

Hydrangea root has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb, particularly by Native American tribes. The Cherokee used it to treat kidney stones and other urinary disorders.
Hydrangea is known for its diuretic effects and its soothing properties when dealing with bladder and urethral discomfort associated with the passage of gritty urine. While it isn't effective in dissolving these gritty substances, it is thought to help prevent their formation, particularly when they are alkaline and phosphatic.
The use of hydrangea is optimised when taken with hot water. It may alleviate symptoms in any kidney conditions that present with painful urination, bloody urine, or deep pain in the kidney area. Hydrangea can be safely used even in instances of inflammation, including acute kidney inflammation. Its benefits are particularly notable when dealing with alkaline urine and bladder irritation in elderly patients who are prone to mucous membrane inflammation.
In Japan, the hydrangea flower is deeply meaningful and symbolises heartfelt emotion, gratitude, and apology. It is believed to have originated in Japan and was first cultivated there. One Japanese legend states that the hydrangea became the symbol of apology after an emperor gave them as an apology to the family of the girl he loved.
During the Victorian Era, giving someone hydrangeas was seen as a way to express arrogance or boastfulness. Giving hydrangeas was often viewed as a negative gesture because it was believed to carry the meaning of "You are cold," or "Your heart is frigid."
Today, in many Western cultures, hydrangeas symbolise gratitude, grace, and beauty. Their abundant, rounded shape is said to represent unity and togetherness, making them ideal for gifting on anniversaries, or at gatherings, to express unity and sincere emotions.

Recipes:

https://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/usdisp/hydrangea.html

https://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/felter/hydrangea.html

Hydrangea Tea Recipe

Ingredients:
Hydrangea root has been used in traditional medicine for its diuretic properties and as a treatment for urinary tract and bladder conditions.

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 teaspoons dried Hydrangea root
  • 2 cups of water
  • Honey or lemon to taste (optional)

Directions:

  1. Bring the water to a boil in a pot.
  2. Add the dried Hydrangea root to the boiling water.
  3. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and strain the tea into a cup.
  5. Add honey or lemon to taste, if desired.
  6. Drink while warm.
Hydrangea Tincture Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 part dry Hydrangea root by weight
  • 5 parts alcohol (like vodka) by volume

Directions:

  1. Place the Hydrangea root in a clean, glass jar.
  2. Pour the alcohol over the roots, ensuring that they are completely covered.
  3. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place.
  4. Shake the jar daily for at least a month.
  5. After a month, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer and pour the liquid into a clean, glass dropper bottle.
  6. Store the tincture in a cool, dark place.

The typical dose for a tincture is 1-2 dropperfuls up to three times a day.
Disclaimer: Hydrangea can interact with certain medications and may have side effects. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or health regimen, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition.

References


Compounds in Hydrangea paniculata, Gut Microbiota and Nephritis 

Hydrangea paniculata coumarins attenuate experimental membranous nephritis by bidirectional interactions with the gut microbiota
Treatment with Hydrangea paniculata reversed a higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio with reduced diversity and richness. Depletion of the gut microbiota partially abolished the renal protective effect of Hydrangea paniculata.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37993541/

Calcium oxalate crystals

An in vitro study of Hydrangea arborescens, homoeopathic preparation as an inhibitor of Calcium oxalate crystallisation
Homoeopathic preparations of Hydrangea inhibit the primary events of stone formation. The findings show the evidence to support the usefulness of Hydrangea arborescens in the cases of renal calculi.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350494069_An_in_vitro_study_of_Hydrangea_arborescens_homoeopathic_preparation_as_an_inhibitor_of_Calcium_oxalate_crystallisation

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