Hawthorn: Crataegus spp.
Rose Family
“Everything's going to be OKAY plant”
Herb for the <3 HEART <3
Environment: grows in open places, roadsides, along streams & in forests at low to mid elevations.
Description: Tall shrub/tree. “Hawthorns are members of the rose family, as their patterns reveal. They have oval-shaped leaves (albeit in hawthorn's case often deeply-lobed), with serrated margins. The flowers produce five green sepals behind the five white petals, surrounding the numerous stamens at the centre. You will likely find a pink tinge to ripe stamens, and some specimens show pink petals. The flowers are usually in full bloom during May, though some cultivars used in hedging flower earlier.” SOURCE: https://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/many-benefits-hawthorn
Harvest: flowers and leaves in the spring. Red berries in early-mid May to June. (West Coast) Do NOT harvest flowers with a pink stamen. Pink means the flower has been pollinated. White stamen is good to harvest for medicinal purposes.
Hawthorn leaves and flowers contain high quantities of bioflavonoids. Flavoniods in plants aid in the reductions of abnormal cells in the body by killings the free radicals which cause the abnormalities. The bioflavonoids in hawthorn aid in treating disorders of the heart such as angina, stroke, hypertension and palpitations. The bioflavonoids dilate the blood vessels and increase blood flow to the heart muscles which leads to a reductions in the peripheral resistance.
Hawthorn is valued for treating anxiety and panic attacks, relieving the effects of stress and insomnia. It has a strong relaxing effect on the central nervous system. Very helpful for those going through life transitions & dealing with grief. Can be used daily as nerve tonic or as needed. Safe for long-term use.
Hawthorn possesses strong astringent chemicals which makes it effective in the treatment of digestive problems, diarrhea, & dysentery. It boosts the appetite and aids in the removal of stagnant food in the digestive tract. Hawthorn is also helpful for women in menopause.
- Notes from Rosalee de la Floret E-book Nourishing Infusions
Taste: sweet/astringent
Properties: slightly cooling/drying, cardiac trophorestorative, relaxing, nervine, digestive, astringent, diuretic and high in antioxidants.
Used for heart health, to support digestion, & correctly balance high and low blood pressure.
Nutrients: high in vitamin C & antioxidants, chromium, selenium, and choline.
- Notes from Earthwise Herbal Volume 1 by Matthew Wood
Emotional healing/ relaxing nervine, good for grief. - Useful for “anger before tears” situations.
- High anxiety/stressful unexpected situations.
*Possibly helpful in small doses for people on autism spectrum*
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses Hawthorn for stagnant digestion, heartburn and indigestion.
Suzanne of Cedar Mountain Herbs Recipe for HEART-EASE TEA
- 2 parts hawthorn - leaf, berries, and flowers
- 1 part green milky oat tops
- 1 part lemon balm leaf
- 1 part St. Johns Wort - flower and leaf
Brew as INFUSION and drink 3-4 cups daily - *A Remedy for grief and sadness*
- www.cedarmountainherbs.com
Hawthorn Electuary Recipe from Kami McBride
(
http://livingawareness.com/love-heart-home-remedy/
Berries from 3 different Hawthorn trees. I combined the berries and leaves with Brandy 80 Proof to make a tincture. I also created a Hawthorn Elixir by adding the leaves and berries to a mixture of 50% honey and 50% brandy.
As you can see the berries differ in appearance. They are all Hawthorn though!
Hawthorn is a wonderful and safe ally. If you are experiencing grief, sadness or a broken heart consider talking with an herbalist about using Hawthorn. It is a very safe plant and most people feel many benefits from it!