As soon as winter would set in, I began to react sharply to changes in the weather. Sometimes I was tormented by headaches, other times by spikes in blood pressure. Eventually, I visited a doctor who told me that my weather sensitivity—also known as meteoropathy—was being triggered by atherosclerosis. He added, quite candidly, “You are of advanced age, and these symptoms are due to age-related changes occurring in your blood vessels.”
Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition in which the arterial walls thicken and lose elasticity, causing the vessel lumen to narrow and making blood circulation more difficult. It is characterized by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques within the walls of blood vessels. These plaques result from the accumulation of fat and the proliferation of connective tissue. They tend to form in the larger arteries, leading to narrowing and deformation of the blood vessels. This restricts the flow of blood to vital organs, which can result in ischemia—insufficient blood supply to those tissues.
I must admit, I truly am of advanced age. I’ve already passed the age of 70. However, I wasn’t ready to simply sit with my arms crossed, waiting for things to get worse. I’ve spent my entire life avoiding medication, even during times when I could have easily afforded to buy it. Once I entered retirement age, I became even more averse to pharmaceuticals.
So I made a decision: I would seek help in my late father’s old library. He had been collecting books on medical topics since the late 19th century. It didn’t take me long to find something interesting. My attention was drawn to a small piece of paper used as a bookmark in one of the books. When I opened the page, I found exactly the remedy I needed.
Here’s the recipe:
Take 1 liter of dry red wine, 0.5 kilograms of sugar, 150 grams of grated horseradish root, and two oranges with their peels, also grated. Place all of these ingredients into one pot and bring them to a boil over very low heat. Let the mixture simmer gently for 20 minutes. After that, let it cool, strain the liquid, and store it in the refrigerator.
This homemade concoction should be taken three times a day—two tablespoons per serving—about half an hour after meals. I followed this routine, and within just a couple of weeks, I noticed a real improvement in how I felt. The headaches were less frequent, and my blood pressure became more stable.
One important note: This mixture should be consumed without disturbing the sediment that forms at the bottom. So, do not shake or stir the liquid before drinking it. I strongly recommend that everyone carry out this kind of preventative treatment for atherosclerosis once a year. It’s simple, inexpensive, and, based on my experience, remarkably effective.
In addition to the wine-based remedy, I also discovered another powerful treatment—hawthorn tincture.
Hawthorn berries have long been valued for their cardiovascular benefits. To prepare this tincture, finely chop or crush the hawthorn berries and place them in a jar. Pour one cup of alcohol (preferably 40% ethanol or vodka) over the berries. Let this mixture sit in a dark place for five weeks, shaking it gently every few days. After five weeks, strain the tincture and store it in a glass container.
To use this remedy, dilute one teaspoon of the hawthorn tincture in a quarter-cup of water and drink it in the evening, just before bedtime. Hawthorn is known for improving heart function, stabilizing blood pressure, and increasing oxygen flow to the heart. It’s especially helpful for elderly individuals suffering from vascular conditions such as atherosclerosis.
These simple, natural methods have stood the test of time. Passed down through generations, they offer an alternative path to healing for those who, like me, prefer to avoid pharmaceuticals whenever possible. While I do not recommend completely ignoring professional medical advice, I truly believe that combining traditional wisdom with modern science can lead to better overall health and well-being.
If you’re looking to protect your heart and blood vessels, improve circulation, and maintain vitality into old age, consider these folk remedies. They’re easy to prepare, cost-effective, and, most importantly, made from ingredients you can trust.
