Herbalists value hawthorn (Crataegus) as a heart and cardiovascular tonic. A member of the rose (Rosaceae) family, this white or pink-flowered shrub or tree offers aid for symptoms ranging from palpitations to insomnia. Other common names for hawthorn include whitethorn and mayblossom. Its small, fragrant flowers grow in clusters, and its leaves are dark and narrow, shiny on top, and formed into three irregular lobes. The small red hawthorn berries possess antispasmodic, astringent, cardiac, diuretic, sedative, and vasodilator properties. Remedies are also prepared from its flowers. Its habitat extends from Europe to North Africa, Western Asia, and the United States; it is especially popular as a hedge in England.
Hawthorn berry tincture, whether made from dried or fresh berries, strengthens and tonifies the heart and blood vessels. In fact, hawthorn’s genus name reflects the strength of its wood: the word “Crataegus” is derived from the Greek “kratos”, meaning “hard.” The remedy acts slowly but thoroughly to rebuild heart muscle and blood vessels, and relieve water buildup around the heart. The strengthened heart is better able to cope with decreased blood flow caused by artery blockage. Individuals suffering from vascular heart disease, congestive heart failure, inflammation of the heart muscle, and arteriosclerosis can benefit from hawthorn. It also relieves cardiac arrhythmia and palpitations.
Hawthorn tincture, as a vasodilator, widens the diameter of coronary arteries and peripheral blood vessels. It blocks ACE (angiotension converting enzyme), an enzyme in the blood vessel lining, which contributes to blood vessel constriction. Intermittent claudication, which occurs when plaque causes narrowing of the arteries in the leg, responds to hawthorn treatment as well. These properties promote easier blood flow, reducing stress on the heart and lowering blood pressure. Hawthorn tincture is less expensive than prescription ACE inhibitors, and does not cause the side effects (such as hacking cough and weakness) associated with these medications.
The use of hawthorn as a heart remedy should be monitored by your physician. Although the herb is mild and slow-acting, individuals with heart disease should consult their cardiologist before use. Your doctor can monitor any potential drug interaction; for example, hawthorn intake can alter the effects of digitalis or blood pressure medications.
Hawthorn can benefit women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Its berries are rich in phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones and lignans, which help the body produce properly balanced hormones. Phytoestrogens prevent excess estrogen levels in the body by blocking estrogen receptor sites. Phytoestrogens are safe if the plant is consumed as food or in an herbal remedy, rather than as an isolated substance in a pill. After estrogen loss, postmenopausal heart muscle is strengthened by hawthorn’s tonifying effects. Relief from menopausal symptoms such as insomnia, palpitations (caused by electrolyte loss from excessive sweat), and deep sadness are available from the tincture or flower tea.
Bioflavonoids, which the body needs for Vitamin C absorption, are found in hawthorn berries, flowers, and leaves. Bioflavonoids offer anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-viral protection. They promote liver, heart, and cardiovascular health, and strengthen the body's resistance against bacterial infection. Hawthorn’s astringent properties and high bioflavonoid content make it an effective treatment for colds and sore throat. For this purpose, prepare a decoction from the flowers or berries. Hawthorn berries also contain selenium, a mineral which promotes clear vision, strong immunity, and healthy hair, nails, teeth, and heart.
Hawthorn tincture or tea, prepared from the fresh or dried berries and flowers, can be purchased from most health food stores; you may also prepare your own remedies. For a tincture, fill a jar with fresh berries (or 1/3 full with dried berries), pour grain alcohol or 100-proof vodka to the top of the jar, and tightly cap the jar. Strain and use the tincture after at least six weeks. Prepare a tea by placing 1 teaspoon of dried flowers or leaves in a teacup; pour boiling water over the herb and steep for 10 minutes.
An infusion can be prepared from the hawthorn flower: place 1 ounce of dried flowers into a quart canning jar, fill the jar to the top with boiling water, seal, and steep for 2 hours. Strain, then sip 1 to 1 ½ cups of infusion per day. Prepare a decoction from the crushed berries: steep ½ ounce of berries 7 to 8 hours in 1 cup of cold water, then bring to a boil. Drink 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the strained liquid per day. For a mineral-rich remedy, Lisa Alschuler, ND, chair of botanical medicine at Bastyr University, recommends adding dried hawthorn berries to nettle or oatstraw infusion. The infusion or decoction can be sweetened with honey.
Herbalists recommend 20 to 40 drops of hawthorn berry tincture 2 to 4 times a day. Naturopathic physicians recommend a standardized extract containing 1.8% vitexin-4-rhamnocide or 10% oligomeric procyanidins (OPC's) at 120 to 240 milligrams three times a day. If the extract contains 18% OPC's, the recommended dosage is 240 to 480 milligrams once a day. Expect to wait from one to three months to see results.
We are blessed to have hawthorn and its many gifts available to us. Your doctor, as well as a trained herbalist, can guide you in the proper use of this affordable, accessible, and valuable remedy.
Sources:
Bairacli-Levy, Juliette de, “Common Herbs for Natural Health”, Woodstock, NY: Ashtree Publishing, 1997.
Duke, James A., Ph.D., "The Green Pharmacy", New York, NY: St. Martin's Press, 1995.
Edwards, Gail Faith, “Opening Our Wild hearts to the Healing Herbs”, Woodstock, NY: Ashtree Publishing, 2000.
Grieve, Mrs. M., "A Modern Herbal", Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 1971 (from work originally published by Harcourt, Brace, & Co., 1931).
Harrar, Sari, and O’Donnell, Sarah Altshul, “The Woman’s Book of Healing Herbs: Healing Teas, Tonics, and Supplements,” Emmaus, PA: Rodale Books, 1999.
Lust, John," The Herb Book", New York, NY: Benedict Lust Publications, 2001 (originally 1974).
Weed, Susun S., "The ABC’s of Herbalism: a Correspondence Course with Susun Weed", Woodstock, NY: Susun Weed, 2005.
Weed, Susun S., "The New Menopausal Years, the Wise Woman Way", Woodstock, NY: Ashtree Publishing, 2002.