I just adore hydrangea plants — mainly for their daintiness, but also for their large beautiful clusters of blue, pink, white, and purple flowers. I’m happy to say we currently have three hydrangea plants growing in our backyard – ever so slowly but thriving. What makes me love them is knowing that the hydrangea root provides some great nutritional health benefits. Unfortunately, while hydrangeas will grow in Texas, they require a high level of attention in order to survive our hot Texas summers.
The beautiful hydrangea plant is aquatic and can grow up to 9 feet tall. The name hydrangea means water-vessel in Greek and is also known as “seven bark” in reference to the many variously colored layers that enclose its root.
There are many varieties of the hydrangea plant, producing flowers of different colors and sizes including Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata), Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea animola ssp. Petiolaris) and others. A unique type of bigleaf hydrangea, worth mentioning, is the Endless Summer developed by Bailey Nurseries. The goal was to make a hydrangea that would bloom throughout the entire summer, even with old growth.
The parts of the hydrangea plant used medicinally are the dried root, rhizome and leaves.
The parts of the hydrangea plant used medicinally are the dried root, rhizome, and leaves. Used for hundreds of years in folk medicine by the Cherokee Native Americans and colonial-era settlers, hydrangea root was used for the treatment of urinary tract infections in the bladder and kidneys, wounds, prostate disorders, and other health concerns.
Significant Health Benefits of Hydrangea Root
Hydrangea is a lithotrophic, diuretic, and tonic herb. Lithotrophic herbs are known for their action against stones. As a diuretic, hydrangea may help increase urine flow. Traditional healers have long-credited hydrangea in its support of kidney function by helping waste removal and hormone secretion.
Historically, hydrangea was used in various ways. Published research shows that this plant’s nutritional health benefits include the following.
Promotes kidney health
A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes that coumarins found in hydrangea paniculata helped improve renal function and reduce renal oxidative stress in mice. The Journal of the American Herbalists Guild states that the root bark from hydrangea arborescens is an impressive analgesic for people who experience urinary tract pain. Also, Hydrangea root contains a naturally occurring phytochemical, hydragin, which is most likely the primary constituent that makes the hydrangea plant useful against kidney stones.
Protects the liver
Results from a 2017 study indicate that compounds found in hydrangea macrophylla (HM) have hepatoprotective properties. According to researchers, sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) is a ubiquitous environmental stressor that has become a danger to human and animal health. Long-term exposure to arsenic compounds is directly related to major health concerns such as hepatitis, hepatic cancer, diabetes, coronary disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and skin disease. Among them, the liver is the most targeted site for arsenic toxicity due to its physiology, particularly for biochemical alteration of arsenic metabolites. HM is a natural phytomedicine that is seemingly a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of hepatic disorders by targeting oxidative stress.
Manages inflammation
Research published in Frontiers in Pharmacology notes that hydrangea paniculata contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may benefit people who have septic acute kidney injury. Hydrangea root is also used to treat inflamed prostate glands. Hydrangea’s anti-inflammatory properties stem from its ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory compounds such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).
Autoimmune disorders
According to Doctor’s Guide, there are a significant number of autoimmune conditions hydrangea may have the ability to treat including multiple sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Hydrangea root tea contains a substance known as halofuginone. Research shows halofuginone can treat autoimmune disorders. Halofuginones can stop the over-production of Th17 cells, which may be the underlying cause behind the weak response of the immune system. Halofuginones can accomplish this without disrupting the rest of the immune system, unlike other medicines that have been tried. According to Doctor’s Guide, there are a significant number of autoimmune conditions hydrangea may have the ability to treat, including multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Rich in Minerals
Hydrangea is also considered extremely rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and sulfur. Hydrangea root also contains high levels of flavonoids, kaempferol, quercetin, saponin, and volatile oil that are protective against cell damage.
Hydrangea Root Tea
Teas, syrups, and extracts are often used to derive the health benefits of the hydrangea root. Some forms of hydrangea are toxic; however, certain teas, sweet in flavor, can be made from specific species of hydrangea.
Ways to Make Hydrangea Root Tea
Hydrangea root is commonly used in a variety of forms including powder, liquid extract, syrup, tincture, and tea. Recommended doses include the following: 2 to 4grams of dried hydrangea root three times per day; 2 to 4 ml liquid extract three times per day; 2 to 10 ml hydrangea tincture three times per day; and 2 to 4 tsp dried hydrangea root steeped in a cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes three times per day, according to Health.com. Before using this or any herbal treatment, consult a knowledgeable health practitioner.
There are also many tinctures available containing hydrangea root along with other herbal extracts for kidney health, such as gravel root, chanca piedra, uva ursi, marchmallow, and dandelion.
Warning
Please use caution when using hydrangea. Hydrangea may add to the effects of blood sugar balancing, anti-fungal, anti-malarial, antihistamine and cholesterol-lowering drugs, and drugs taken to prevent. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use hydrangea root medicinally. Before using hydrangea, discuss hydrangea treatment with a knowledgeable health practitioner.
In Conclusion…
Noted as an elegant plant and shrub, there are four varieties of hydrangea grown in North America. The garden varieties, hydrangea macrophylla, and hydrangea paniculata are native to China and Japan and are those most often seen throughout the gardens of the world.
As with all herbs, they tend to lose their medicinal qualities as they are hybridized for ornamental purposes. So do not use your garden-variety hydrangea as an herbal tea and expect to get any results other than a sore stomach.
REFERENCES
Laidley, J. On Hydrangea arborescens. Amer. J. Pharm., o.s. 18 (1852): 13-30.
Marius Rademaker. Occupational contact dermatitis to hydrangea. Australasian Journal of Dermatology. (2003) 44, 220-221.
Total Coumarins from Hydrangea paniculata Protect against Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Damage in Mice by Suppressing Renal Inflammation and Apoptosis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:5350161. DOI: 10.1155/2017/5350161. Epub 2017 Mar 6.
Akanda MR, Tae HJ, Kim IS, et al. Hepatoprotective Role of Hydrangea macrophylla against Sodium Arsenite-Induced Mitochondrial-Dependent Oxidative Stress via the Inhibition of MAPK/Caspase-3 Pathways. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(7):1482. Published 2017 Jul 10. doi:10.3390/ijms18071482.
Total Coumarins from Hydrangea paniculata Show Renal Protective Effects in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities. Front Pharmacol. 2017 Dec 14;8:872. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00872. eCollection 2017.
Journal of the American Herbalists Guild, “Herbal and Nutritional Treatment of Kidney Stones”
Southern Living, “The Truth About ‘Endless Summer’ Hydrangea”
