Cleansing blood vessels: what is it, and is it possible to remove cholesterol plaques?

Around the so-called “vascular cleansing”

A whole industry and many myths have developed.
However, our blood vessels are not pipes; even theoretically, cleaning them to get rid of cholesterol plaques or calcium deposits is not at all so simple. Does “vascular cleaning” even exist, or is it a misconception and a marketing ploy? We talked with our expert - cardiologist, functional diagnostics doctor, candidate of medical sciences Anna Nikolaevna Kotelnikova
, to learn more about the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
On the eve of the New Year and the festive feast, be attentive to your diet and take care of yourself!

Vessel cleaning - what is it?

In official medical terminology, there is no such thing as “cleaning blood vessels” - this is everyday slang that is misleading and creates confusion. Unfortunately, it is impossible to remove cholesterol plaques that have already formed and clean a clogged vessel like a water pipe using a magic cleaning agent or “nanothreads”. An entire industry has already formed around the cleaning of blood vessels, however, the drugs and procedures that are offered to solve the problem do not have proven clinical effectiveness, the same applies to traditional methods. Restoring the functional state of the vascular endothelium is much more serious than detox, which is only appropriate for the primary prevention of vascular blockage. With atherosclerosis, when the vessels are narrowed by less than 50%, there is a risk of blood clots, heart attack or stroke

, the doctor prescribes drug therapy (
statins
,
calcium antagonists
and other drugs). However, they do not remove plaques, but compact them, thus increasing the lumen of the vessel. Therefore, it is extremely important to adhere to simple recommendations for the prevention of atherosclerosis.

In colloquial language, “cleaning” is also called cardiac surgery to expand a dangerously narrowed vessel - angioplasty, bypass surgery, stenting

. Their methods differ, but the essence is approximately the same: a catheter is inserted into the vessel, and the damaged, pathologically narrowed area is straightened and strengthened from the inside using implants - special rings, springs or tubes. The need for such operations arises if an atherosclerotic plaque closes the lumen of the vessel (artery) by more than 50%. When the blood supply is so disrupted, cells and organs are not supplied with oxygen and nutrients, and a person’s life can hang by a thread. It happens that a vessel or artery is blocked by a blood clot - a person suddenly feels very tired to the point of loss of consciousness, rapid heartbeat, suspicious pain (headaches, in the area of the heart), suffocates, and the skin turns pale. Such conditions are considered acute, and as a “cleansing” procedure, thrombolysis with special drugs is used on an outpatient basis. After stenting, bypass surgery or angioplasty, blood supply is restored, but it is necessary to take special medications and be observed by a cardiologist.

The most effective recipes

We learned about the beneficial properties of fireweed, what diseases it treats, we identified it, and finally it’s time to move on to the most important thing - action.

Treatment of diseases of the digestive system

Ivan tea is rich in components such as mucus, tannins and some others, which help normalize digestive processes, cope with inflammation and ensure the absence of problems such as constipation and diarrhea.

For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract:

Take 40 grams of pre-shredded leaves.
Add 400 ml. boiling water.
Pour the liquid into a thermos and let it brew for about six hours.

Directions for use: drink a quarter glass four times a day before meals.

For the treatment of ulcers and gastritis:

Pour 60 grams of pureed grass into 100 ml. hot but not boiling water.
Place on low heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Filtering.
Add clean water to achieve the original volume.

Directions for use: drink 40 ml. three times a day during meals.

Nervous system

One of the wonderful effects of fireweed tea is its calming effect. It is fireweed that is prescribed to people suffering from depression, neuroses or insomnia. Thanks to the large amount of vitamins and minerals, people who consume fireweed infusion have an excellent mood, calm and healthy sleep.

Take 20 grams of pre-crushed fireweed leaves.
Add 200 ml. hot boiled water.
Pour the liquid into a thermos and let it brew for about 30 minutes.
We filter carefully.

Directions for use: drink a third of a glass three times a day on an empty stomach.

Genitourinary system

Through numerous studies, it was found that the plant helps to cope with some male ailments, and also helps to increase potency by significantly improving blood circulation.

Treatment of prostatitis:

The following recipe will help in the treatment of both chronic and acute prostatitis by reducing inflammation in the prostate gland.
Take 40 grams of dried grass.
Add a glass of hot water (not boiling water).
Cover and place in a water bath for 15 minutes.
After the time has passed, leave for 40-45 minutes.
Filtering.
Next, pour boiled water into the infusion to bring the volume to 200 milliliters.

Rule of use: drink a slightly warmed infusion three times a day before meals, half a glass. Duration of treatment is two weeks.

Treatment of prostate adenoma:

Tea prepared according to the following instructions helps in the treatment of adenoma and also acts for preventive purposes.
Take 5 grams of dry leaves and flowers of fireweed.
Pour boiling water over it.
Leave in the kitchen for 30 minutes.
Filtering.

Rule of use: you need to drink tea twice a day (in the morning before meals and before bed) 200 ml.

Menstruation:

To normalize excessively heavy periods and, moreover, with severe pain, drink the following infusion:
Let's take 20 grams of dry raw materials.
Pour in 500 ml. boiling water
We send the composition to a dark place for 4-5 hours.
Next, we thoroughly filter.

Directions for use: drink 200 ml infusion. twice a day (before meals and half an hour before bedtime).

When hormonal levels change, a woman’s well-being may worsen. To make this process easier, we recommend preparing a tincture based on fireweed.

Climax:

First, take two tablespoons of dried, pre-chopped herb.
Pour in about 500 ml. vodka (medicinal alcohol).
For the infusion process, place the mixture in a dark and cool place for 14 days.
Sometimes you need to shake.
Filtering.

Directions for use: drink 25-30 drops three times a day. We recommend drinking water.

Ear, throat, nose

The following recipe is perfect for combating sinusitis, conjunctivitis and inflammation of the middle ear. In the first case, the infusion must be consumed orally; if the eyes are sick, they must be washed with this composition, and in the latter case, a tampon soaked in the infusion must be placed in the ears.

Take 20 grams of dried raw materials.
Next, fill in 200 ml. clean, boiled water.
Then leave on the table for 30 minutes.
Thoroughly filter the composition.

Directions for use: drink a third of a glass three times a day on an empty stomach. After taking it, it is advisable not to eat for at least half an hour.

To treat a sore throat, the following recipe is suitable:

Take 20 grams of Ivan tea.
Next, fill in 400 ml. boiling water.
We insist for about six hours.
Carefully filter the infusion.

Can only be used as directed by a doctor.

Circulatory system

Due to the disease mentioned above, periods can be quite difficult. A decoction prepared according to the following recipe will help you cope with this.

Low hemoglobin, anemia

Take 20 grams of the main herb and add the same amount of yarrow.
Pour in one and a half glasses of hot water. Not boiling water.
Leave on the table for 10-15 minutes.
Then put it on low heat.
Remove after the broth begins to boil.
We filter thoroughly.

Rule of use: drink half a glass for at least four days.

Thanks to its unique composition, healing fireweed tea helps to increase hemoglobin in the blood, strengthen the immune system, and cleanse blood vessels of many harmful substances. He is able to give you cheerfulness and strength to face every day with a smile.

Treatment of skin diseases using fireweed tea

Decoctions and infusions prepared from fireweed have an amazing effect on the appearance, in particular on the skin of the face. It becomes more elastic, tender and smooth. Thus, fireweed tea helps smooth out fine wrinkles, and ice prepared from it perfectly treats acne and pimples.

With the help of the plant being studied today, diseases such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis are treated. It has a healing effect and, as a result, is used to wash wounds and abrasions.

Oncology

And the herb helps even with oncology. Follow the following recipe:

Take two teaspoons of fresh fireweed tea.
Place in an enamel saucepan.
Then add 200-250 ml. clean water.
Place on the fire and bring to a boil.
Next, reduce the heat and keep for another 10-15 minutes.
We leave it on the table - the infusion process is underway. About one hour.

Directions for use: It is recommended to consult your doctor.

Recipes not included in any category

Aromatherapy: inhalations based on fireweed decoctions will have a beneficial effect on the entire body: calm, clear the sinuses, and relieve headaches. And this is thanks to the unique chemical composition, which we will talk about a little later.

As a sedative:

Pour about 25 grams of Ivan tea into 200 ml. boiling water and leave for 40-45 minutes.
Filtering.
We take 20-25 ml. three times a day.

Face mask against inflammation: initially infuse two teaspoons of fireweed flowers in vodka, then add 3 grams of salt and 5 grams. oatmeal Mix thoroughly and apply on face for 7-10 minutes.

Varicose veins:

Pour 100 grams of grass with 2-3 glasses of water.

Keep on low heat for 5-7 minutes.

Next, cool and filter.

Using a clean cloth, apply the mixture to your feet.

Why do blood vessels become clogged?

Vessels become blocked for various reasons, but most often this occurs due to cholesterol plaques and the deposition of calcium salts (calcinosis). The mechanism for the formation of such blockages is more complex than it seems, and it lies behind our everyday habits - even the most harmless at first glance. For example, when we eat highly salty foods

, blood thickening and fluid retention occur - blood pressure increases.
When we experience stress
, the hormones adrenaline and norepinephrine are produced - key vessels narrow, and pressure increases because the amount of blood that the heart needs to push remains unchanged. In a normal healthy state, the vessels cope with such loads, but over time, serious problems can begin, and this is not only hypertension.

Reviews

After scrolling through many sites with reviews from ordinary people, we can conclude that fireweed really works. Some women with increased anxiety note improvements: their sleep has become calmer, and they have become less susceptible to stress.

Other representatives of the fair sex used fireweed as an assistant in losing weight and also noted the results.

Young mothers who began giving teas and decoctions to their children noticed that they became less susceptible to characteristic waterlogging.

Causes of atherosclerosis

The fact is that due to systematic additional loads, microdamages can form on the walls of the arteries. Damaged tissues swell. Cells that respond to inflammation (for example, white blood cells) accumulate around the damage, and fat and cholesterol that float in the blood also cling to them - a cholesterol plaque is formed. It is no longer possible to get rid of it using completely non-invasive methods. At the same time, the walls of the vessels become coarser and thinner - this pathological condition is called atherosclerosis, which in turn can lead to coronary artery disease and causes the need for “cleansing of blood vessels”.

Thus, it is important not only to eat right, but also to maintain the functional state of the cardiovascular system.

Fermentation

The fermentation process is necessary to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms and ensure the best possible preservation of the product.

The easiest way to ferment

This process involves exposure to oxygen, moisture and temperature changes.

Initially, we collect raw materials, as described in the previous paragraph.
Next comes the drying process, also described above.
After this, the grass is ground by hand and poured into a glass container (for example, a jar).
Then cover the container with a cloth moistened with water and put it in a dark place for 1.5 days (room temperature - 25 degrees).
Next, the raw materials are placed on a baking sheet in the oven and dried at a temperature of 100 degrees, stirring constantly.
The mixture should be stored in a tightly closed glass container. The place should be dark and cool.

If you did everything correctly, then such fireweed can be stored for an average of three years.

"Grandma's" way

The difference between this method and the previous one is that it is somewhat labor-intensive.

Place the collected raw materials on the floor, on a slightly damp clean cloth, and wrap them in a roll. We wet it constantly.
We tie the roll for strength. We bend it and unbend it.
Leave for 2 hours.
Place in a glass container, close carefully, and leave to ferment for a couple of days.

Rare way

The following instructions are used quite rarely, but this is an equally effective method of fermentation.

We divide the resulting raw materials into two parts.
Squeeze the juice from the first part.
Place the second part in a saucepan.
Fill the second part of the herb with the juice obtained in the second step.
We press down the composition.
Place in a dark place for three days.
After the time has passed, place the composition in the oven and dry it at 90-95 degrees.

Good and bad cholesterol

There are several types of lipoproteins (cholesterols). Low-density lipoproteins
(LDL)
are considered bad , but there is also a good one -
high-density lipoproteins (HDL)
. The latter works almost as an antagonist of bad cholesterol, allows you to control lipid metabolism - helps in transporting substances and detoxifying the body from bad cholesterol. Below we will tell you how to maintain the correct LDL-HDL balance and what else you need to pay attention to.

Story

There are many stories about the “Koporo miracle”. People to this day talk about the legendary Ivan tea, which the Nazis were so afraid of. After all, it was believed that fireweed was considered that unique drink that increased endurance and gave strength to our fighters.

Another story was the life story of a scientist who created a unique elixir of longevity based on fireweed. By the way, he himself has crossed the 100-year mark.

It is impossible to say for sure whether this is true or fiction, but there is real scientific data that testifies to the amazing and unique properties of fireweed. For centuries, many people have confirmed from their own experience the healing effect of fireweed on the human body.

Prevention of vascular atherosclerosis

Avoid foods with high cholesterol levels

Limit animal products with high cholesterol content in your diet: lard, fatty meat, offal, fatty dairy products and whole milk, egg yolk. This does not mean that you need to completely abandon animal proteins and fats. The menu should be dominated by vegetables and fruits, complex carbohydrates and cereal fibers, especially fiber. It is important to control sugar levels and not overindulge in sweets and starchy foods - it is better to replace chocolate bars and snacks with dried fruit sweets and nuts, and your body will thank you.

The method of preparing dishes also plays an important role

- before you put meat or scrambled eggs in oil on a hot sizzling frying pan, think about whether it might be better to steam it? It is forbidden? Okay, but for frying it is better to use vegetable oils, such as olive oil.

Citrus fruits also fight fat and cholesterol

, in particular the substance pectin, isolated from
grapefruit
.
Pectin
is a soluble fiber that is found only in citrus fruits themselves, but not in juice.

We get cholesterol from 2 main sources. Most of the cholesterol (about 1 g per day) is produced by our liver - and this is enough.

We get the other part directly from food.

There is another life hack: pay attention to labels in the store, try to avoid products labeled “partially hydrogenated fats”

Play sports - train your heart and blood vessels

WHO recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

During training, the body is detoxified, and the blood vessels are strengthened - this is also a kind of “cleansing of blood vessels.”

Even after undergoing stenting/bypass surgery, you can play sports and even run a marathon. However, such patients first need to take medications for quite a long time and be observed by a doctor. Patients with cardiovascular diseases need to calculate the permissible level of physical activity and select its optimal option. bicycle ergometry is for.

, which allows you to take stress tests on a device similar to a bicycle with special sensors.

Check your cholesterol levels

Once a year, it is recommended to take a special blood test - a lipid profile - to see if there is an increase in the level of total cholesterol or its fractions. In this way, it is possible to understand in a timely manner whether everything is fine with lipid metabolism or whether drug correction is necessary.

Primary prevention of atherosclerosis and blockage of blood vessels also involves visiting a therapist or cardiologist once a year, even if there are no complaints.

Treat periodontal disease, control sugar levels and body weight

Everything in our body is interconnected. It has been proven that patients with periodontal disease, like patients with diabetes and overweight, are more predisposed to atherosclerosis.

In 2021, the study “Metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease: An overview for physicians”

(Srivastava MC, Verma PK) with important and very interesting conclusions. In patients with poor teeth and a predisposition to atherosclerosis, intensive periodontal therapy after 2 months showed a significant reduction in the levels of c-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Measure your blood pressure

The absolute norm for blood pressure in an adult is considered to be 120/80 mmHg, but depending on the individual characteristics of the body, deviations are possible.

Monitor calcium levels and nutrient balance in the body

It is recommended to take additional Omega-3

- the body does not synthesize these beneficial fatty acids on its own - and you need to eat a lot of seafood and season salads only with flaxseed oil to make up for this deficiency. Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are the basis not only for strong and clean blood vessels, but even a building material for the brain. The average adult is recommended to consume 250 mg of Omega 3 per day throughout his life.

Vitamin K3

prevents calcium from being washed out of the bones and deposited on the walls of blood vessels. Most K₂ is found in fermentation products: cheese and fermented milk products.

Vitamin D and C, coenzyme Q10 are also extremely important for blood vessels

Stay hydrated, give up bad habits and get enough sleep

Drink clean filtered water throughout the day - about 1.5 liters.

The permissible amount of alcohol per day, which does not harm your heart and blood vessels, is 1 glass of good quality red wine; it is better to completely give up smoking.

You can get the maximum benefit from sleep if you sleep for 7-8 hours in a comfortable environment, without light or gadgets, and wake up only with or without an alarm clock.

How to prepare fireweed tea yourself

Modern manufacturers provide a wide selection of different varieties of fireweed tea - in bags, loose, with flavoring additives. You can find several options to suit your taste and budget. But it also happens that not a single finished product is suitable for some reason. Then the best way to get tasty and healthy fireweed tea is to prepare it yourself. This matter only seems simple at first glance, but in fact it requires a lot of experience and attention. But why not try!

How to collect fireweed

The flowering time of angustifolia fireweed is approximately from the end of May to the end of August. During this period, you can collect both the leaves and flowers of the plant.

To get high-quality, tasty tea, choose tender and light-colored top leaves, untouched by any damage (without dry tips or traces of insects). Remember that it is in the upper leaves that there are the most useful substances, but in the flowers there are much less of them, but they are suitable for decorating tea. The lower leaves are much coarser and also not as rich in nutrients.

Never uproot a plant! In this way you will destroy him.

It is best to collect in dry weather, away from roads and areas with unfavorable ecology. Collect leaves immediately, without stems.

How to ferment fireweed

To get fireweed tea ready for brewing, you need to process the raw materials in three stages.

1. Withering. Carefully sort out the collected leaves and clean them of debris, and then distribute them over the surface of pallets or on fabric. The layer of leaves should not exceed 5 cm in height. Place the pallets indoors, away from direct sunlight. Dry the leaves for 12–24 hours, stirring them occasionally to ensure an even process.

2. Twisting. When the leaves are slightly wilted (they can be bent in half, but they will not break), it is time to roll. If you haven't separated the leaves from the stems yet, now is the time to do so.

When there are not too many raw materials, the manual method is suitable for you: the leaves are simply crushed in the palms of your hands and rolled into balls or sticks until the plant gives juice. If you have a large product, use a meat grinder as your assistant - it will allow you to get beautiful granulated tea with little labor.

3. Fermentation. The most difficult and crucial stage, where it is easiest to make a mistake. The finished balls or granules from the leaves must be placed in a vessel and covered with a cloth for several hours, allowing the fermentation processes to complete the process.

Tea experts recommend using earthenware (glazed inside), glass or enamel. Plastic is undesirable because it may react with the juice. It is necessary to age the tea from 3–5 hours (weak fermentation) to one and a half days (strong fermentation).

4. Drying. After fermentation is complete, the almost finished tea must be dried again - this time in the oven, so that no trace of bacteria remains. Drying should occur at a temperature of 50 to 100 degrees for 1.5–2 hours. During this time, it is better to keep the oven door ajar and stir the tea periodically to ensure even roasting. Afterwards, you can dry the tea in the open air for two to three hours at room temperature (it is better to cover it with a light, breathable cloth to prevent dust from entering).

The finished tea should be crumbly, dry and very aromatic.

Fireweed flowers are prepared separately: they can simply be dried at room temperature or in the oven at a minimum temperature (not higher than 50 degrees).

Women and men over 40 years old

Patients in the older age group should be especially attentive to the state of the cardiovascular system and the primary prevention of atherosclerosis. Statistically, men are more susceptible to this disease, and hormones play an important role in this.

During the reproductive period, a woman’s ovaries produce sexual estrogens, which regulate the content of fats in the blood and prevent the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels, that is, they protect the woman’s body from atherosclerosis.

During menopause, ovarian function declines, they stop producing estrogen, and its content in the blood drops sharply. This leads to the fact that cardiovascular diseases in women after menopause appear 5 times more often than before it.

Therefore, at this age it is recommended to consult a gynecologist-endocrinologist.

, who may prescribe menopausal hormone therapy if necessary. MHT can not only improve the quality of life and prolong it, but also preserve beauty from the inside.

Doctors at the Cardiology Center of the Pirogov Clinic provide qualified assistance to patients in the treatment of atherosclerosis, preventive diagnostics, as well as recovery after stenting, bypass surgery, and a heart attack.

You can make an appointment with a cardiologist or directly with Dr. Anna Nikolaevna Kotelnikova through our website.

Contraindications for use

If you have chronic diseases, you should consult a doctor before using fireweed-based products. It is not recommended to drink herbal teas and infusions:

during breastfeeding;
during pregnancy;
individual intolerance, allergies.

Long-term use of fireweed tea in large quantities can cause a number of side effects associated with the digestive tract.

Watch the video review about the beneficial and harmful properties of the herb:

Botanical description

If you see tall grass with large dark pink buds, you are looking at fireweed. He loves well-lit places. It has been noticed that in those places where there was a fire and not a single blade of grass grows, Ivan-tea appears first. It sets the stage for other species.

Taking the inflorescence apart, we see that it consists of sepals (4 pieces) and petals. The pistil is bent, and there are as many as eight stamens.

The opening of flowers is observed in the morning, around 6-7 o'clock.

Flowering attracts bees because nectar collects on the petals. The leaves resemble the shape of willows. The seeds have excellent germination. They germinate quickly. The small seeds are covered with white hairs.

Fireweed attracts bees with its bright appearance and fragrant nectar

Use in cosmetology

The healing properties of Ivan tea are used in cosmetology. Cosmetics manufacturers actively use the plant extract in the manufacture of skin care products. These can be creams, lotions with a cleansing effect, compositions for treating the skin during tanning, as well as special masks with hair balms.

If you manage to prepare plant materials yourself, you can use it to prepare a healing decoction. It is used as a hair rinse, which will make combing easier, give the hair softness and silkiness, and help strengthen the roots, preventing unnecessary hair loss.

An infusion of Ivan tea is suitable for cleansing skin affected by acne or pimples. True, the product must be used on a regular basis. At the same time, the tincture has an enhancing effect. It makes masks more effective.

For example, a steam bath will help at home, which should definitely be carried out before a cosmetic massage. To do this, infuse the flowers of the plant at the rate of 1 tbsp. raw materials for 1 cup of boiling water. After 5-7 minutes. The finished infusion is poured into a wide container and the face is held over the steam that is released. It is important to ensure comfort and avoid discomfort and burns. The duration of the procedure is 10 minutes. The course consists of 5-7 procedures.

An anti-inflammatory mask will also be useful. To do this, prepare a vodka tincture with the flowers of the plant. The raw materials are filled with 70% alcohol or vodka, and then kept at a temperature of +20...+24°C in the dark. After infusing for 10-15 days, you can take 10 ml of the composition and mix it with a small amount of “Extra” salt (on the tip of a knife). The result should be a mass resembling liquid sour cream. The mask is applied for 10-12 minutes. on problem areas of the skin.

See also: Treatment of seizures with folk remedies

Compound

The healing herb is distinguished by its rich chemical composition. In its terrestrial part one can find the presence of vitamins C and B, and also contains carotenoids and polysaccharides. Ivan tea is rich in pectins, it contains components of chlorophyll, tannins (up to 20%), organic acids. The herb is rich in phytosterols (including beta-sitosterol), triterpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids (including quercetin and kaempferol).

In the above-ground part of the plant, alkaloids can be isolated in small amounts, as well as individual mineral components in the form of iron, copper, and manganese. The leaves and flowers contain potassium, sodium, and calcium. The presence of magnesium, boron, nickel and titanium is observed.

But in the root there will be no tannins at all. But this part of the plant contains starch, polysaccharides, and is saturated with easily digestible proteins and organic acids. The rhizome is rich in phosphorus, calcium and cobalt in the form of salts.

The calorie content of the product is 56 kcal. The ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates is 2.4 g: 1.4 g: 9.4 g. A serving includes 5.9 g of dietary fiber and 85 g of water.

See also: Raspberry tea for colds