Hawthorn Berries Or Hawthorn Extract – Is a small, large, thorny shrub or tree with stems and trunks consisting of hard wood and gray bark. A member of the Rosaceae family, hawthorn has trilobed leaves and white flowers characteristic of other genera in the rose family. The flowers ripen into bright red berries that are carefully picked, avoiding the many sharp thorns that emerge from the shrub’s branches. Sometimes the berries are often picked fully ripe in the fall, before the first frost.
Hawthorn has a long history of use in traditional Western herbal as well as traditional Chinese medicine. It is much loved for its affinity for the heart and is believed to elevate and strengthen both the physical and emotional heart. Hawthorn supports healthy circulation and cardiovascular function.*
Table of Contents
Hawthorn Berries Or Hawthorn Extract
Hawthorn has been used since the Middle Ages, with some accounts going as far back as the 1st century, to the Greek herbalist, Dioscorides. The dark red berries have a history of use as an ingredient in jams, wines, cordials and candies. In addition, the tree is surrounded by legends with many folk tales and magical myths surrounding it. Hawthorn was considered the “sacred tree medicine” for the ancient Druids and was said to harbor fairies. Hawthorn sprigs and flowers were incorporated into the wedding crown, symbolizing chastity and ensuring prosperity at Greek weddings. In Ireland, couples danced around the hawthorn at marriage ceremonies, and the sprigs were attached to the cradles of newborns to protect them from harm. Hawthorn was even used to decorate the maypole for seasonal May Day or Beltane ceremonies.
Hawthorn: Foraging And Using
Hawthorn fruit extract tastes sweet and sour and slightly warming. The extract can be taken alone in either water or juice or incorporated into custom formulations. Hawthorn tincture mixes well with St. John’s wort extract, oat extract, and St. John’s wort extract. Hawthorn extract is an excellent addition to herbal teas such as bramble tea or love tea.
Packaging and Shipping • 1 oz, 2 oz and 4 oz. the extracts come in amber glass bottles with a dropper.
• 8 oz. and 16 oz. sizes come in amber glass bottles with a plastic screw cap and do not include a dropper.
Please note: All bulk sizes of 8 oz. and larger ones are made to order. Please allow three more days for processing.
Hawthorn Berry Tincture
No known precautions. We recommend that you consult with a qualified physician before using herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
All reviews reflect only the views and opinions expressed by the reviewer and not those of Mountain Rose Herbs. We do not verify or endorse any claim made by any reviewer. None of these claims have been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
Fill in your email below to request a new password. An email will be sent to the address below containing a link to verify your email address. Hawthorn grows as both a shrub and tree in North America, Europe and Asia. As a member of the Rosaceae (rose) family, it protects itself with sharp thorns. Hawthorn holds a somewhat overlooked medicinal secret: hawthorn berries, packed with both mild sweetness and tart acidity. From heart tonic to anxiety relief, here are five health benefits of hawthorn.
Impressive Health Benefits Of Hawthorn Berry
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hawthorn berries are known as a tonic for the heart, and recent research shows that these “fireballs” are cardioprotective.
A 2018 review published by the NIH National Library of Medicine names hawthorn berry as a cardiotonic herb. Hawthorn berries contain phytonutrients (anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins), antioxidants that tone and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. The plant exhibits positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects, as well as an increase in coronary blood flow and exercise tolerance.
Hawthorn extracts, including the berries, leaves and flowers, are also used to treat heart conditions such as bradyarrhythmia and angia, according to a 2016 report published in
. However, hawthorn in general may increase the potential for bleeding in patients taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications.
The History, Mythology, And Offerings Of Hawthorn
Should you take hawthorn for heart palpitations? While hawthorn berries have been shown to be cardiotonic, consult your doctor before incorporating this herb into your treatment regimen, including extracts or teas.
Hawthorn berries contain fiber, a digestive aid that acts as a prebiotic to reduce constipation. Prebiotics induce and nourish the growth of good gut bacteria, essential for a healthy digestive system.
Hawthorn (its berries, leaves, and flowers) has been found useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments and other digestive problems, according to a 2015 critical review published in
Which analyzed 88 scientific papers. The review shows that hawthorn has useful applications for the treatment of abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating and indigestion. The paper notes its use as an effective diuretic in European tradition.
Hawthorn Berry, 1oz
Hawthorn berries are listed as a natural ingredient in some hair care and growth products, but are they effective? In the past, hawthorn berries have shown promise in stimulating the growth and size of hair follicles in rats. The polyphenol content of these berries is thought to cause these effects. However, further research is needed on the effects on humans.
How do you use hawthorn berries in your hair? Many people prefer to include hawthorn in their diet, such as making hawthorn syrup for pancakes and absorbing the nutrients that way. Others invest in natural hair care products such as hawthorn butters or tonics.
David Hoffmann, BSc, a founding member and past president of the American Herbalists Guild, recommends making the tea by steeping a teaspoon of hawthorn berries in a cup of hot water and then straining it before drinking. He advises not to exceed three cups a day. A consultation with an herbalist can give you more guidance, but you should first talk to your doctor about using such complementary treatments.
Free radicals are unstable atoms linked to aging, chronic disease and cancer. The 2015 scientific literature review of 88 papers published in
Ways Hawthorn Berry Improves Heart Health
Noted that hawthorn berries contain significant amounts of polyphenols, an antioxidant compound that fights free radicals. In addition to the antioxidant capacity of polyphenolic compounds, they are also protective against inflammation and other markers of chronic disease.
Hawthorn extracts may contain compounds from the berries, flowers, and leaves of the hawthorn plant that help reduce anxiety. An older double-blind study published in
Looked at a formula of hawthorn extract, California poppy flower, and magnesium and its effects on 264 people with anxiety. Results showed a significant reduction in mild to moderate levels of anxiety compared to placebo. However, the specific role played by hawthorn has not been analyzed in depth.
The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also notes the promotion of hawthorn for use in the treatment of anxiety.
Hawthorn Berry Tea Recipe
Hawthorn fruit supplements often contain berries, flowers, and leaves. The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health indicates that the most common side effects of consuming hawthorn may include nausea, dizziness, and digestive symptoms. Those taking anticoagulants should avoid eating hawthorn.
Always consult your doctor or a dietitian before adding any supplements to your diet. Many products have different dosage recommendations, and your healthcare provider can best guide you because they know your medical history.
Tiffany Chaney is an environmental and wellness writer dedicated to advocacy, ethics and transparency. Chaney holds a BA in Creative Writing from Salem College and completed apprenticeships in Western Herbs and Traditional Chinese Medicine at Tree of Life Wellness Center and Piedmont Herb School in Winston-Salem, NC. She is also a creative writer and artist currently living in Virginia. Hawthorn is a notorious heart tonic that works on the heart both physically and energetically. Hawthorn’s generous medicine comes in the form of leaves, flowers and berries. Known to have supportive and protective qualities, its name,
Meaning power. With cardiovascular disease and heart failure on the rise in Canada, let’s make hawthorn a household name! Read on to discover how you can support your heart and the health of your loved ones with hawthorn remedies. Plus, check out a recipe for a delicious hawthorn fruit syrup.
What Is Hawthorn Berry
Hawthorn is a leafy, thorny tree belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae). There are 280 species under the genus Crataegus, but C. laevigata and C. monogyna are most commonly used in phytomedicine. Hawthorn produces five-petalled white or pink flowers in spring, which give way to bright red berries or “haws” in early fall. The berries are blood red in color with white mealy flesh and a large seed. With a slightly sweet-sour flavor, they are used as both food and medicine. The berries are enjoyed by small birds and animals that nest in the tree’s thorny, protective branches.
As one of the oldest recorded medicinal plants used in Europe, the health benefits of hawthorn have been tried and tested. The herb has long been associated with heart health, and research has shown it to be a useful remedy for various cardiovascular conditions, including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, angina and varicose veins.