Pictures Of Hawthorn Berries – Hawthorn is a notorious cardiac tonic that works on the heart both physically and energetically. Hawthorn’s abundant medicine comes in the form of leaves, flowers and berries. Known to have supportive and protective properties, his name,
That is, power. With cardiovascular disease and heart failure on the rise in Canada, let’s make hawthorn a household name! Read on to find out how you can support your heart and the health of your loved ones with hawthorn remedies. Plus, check out a delicious hawthorn berry syrup recipe.
Table of Contents
Pictures Of Hawthorn Berries
Hawthorn is a deciduous and thorny tree belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae). There are 280 species under the genus Crataegus but C. laevigata and C. monogyna are the most commonly used in phytomedicine. Hawthorn produces white or pink, five-petalled flowers in spring, which give way to bright red berries or “haw” in early fall. The berries are blood red with a white mealy flesh and a large stone. With a mild sweet sour taste they are used as both food and medicine. The berries are enjoyed by birds and small animals that nest in the thorny and protective branches of the tree.
Bunch Of Hawthorn With Berries Stock Image
As one of the oldest documented medicinal herbs used in Europe, hawthorn’s health benefits 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 hypertension, atherosclerosis, angina and varicose veins. The assistant has a restorative and balancing effect on the heart and circulatory system, it regulates the activity of the heart, according to what is needed for optimal functioning. It is also intended for stimulating digestion and calming the nerves.
Much has been said about how hawthorn’s physical form is related to its energetic properties. The plant stands tall and offers abundant medicine but also maintains protection and boundaries as its spikes only allow you to get so close. Herbalist Jim McDonald recommends hawthorn as an emotional and spiritual tonic. Herbal medicine provides a protective emotional space for people recovering from heartbreak, trauma and emotional vulnerability.
Some herbalists use hawthorn leaves, flowers and berries alternately, depending on the season. However, berries are specifically labeled to support the
Of the heart, regulates the heartbeat. It should be noted that if all the flowers are picked in the spring, there will be no berries in the fall! The leaves and flowers can be enjoyed in tea, capsule or tincture. Loaded with antioxidants and flavonoids, the berries can be eaten fresh or made into jams and syrups in addition to making a decoction or tincture.
The People’s Pharmacy
Herbal infused syrups are a delicious and effective way to enjoy herbal remedies. Syrups can be taken alone or added to tea, cocktails, or any food that needs to be sweetened. Syrups can be made with sugar or honey, but honey is often preferred because it is rich in nutrients and antimicrobial.
This recipe uses concentrated hawthorn berry tea that is simply mixed with honey in a 2:1 ratio. If you prefer a sweeter and thicker syrup, you can change the ratio to 1:1. You can easily make more of this syrup by adding more grains and adjusting the ratio of honey to water.
The seeds of hawthorn berries contain mildly toxic compounds and should not be consumed. If you want to use the pulp left over from the tea, strain the seeds first.
Herbs and mountain rose. “Ozran, a plant walk with Jim Macdonald.” Online video clip. YouTube. 20 Dec. 2013. Web. 9 Nov 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGB9Do-IEv8Written by Ariane Lang, BSc, MBA and SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD – Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R.D. , CDE, Nutrition – Updated December 13, 2021
Amazon.com: Nature’s Way Premium Herbal Hawthorn Berries, 1,530 Mg Per Serving, 180 Capsules (packaging May Vary)
These nutrient-rich berries have a tart, tangy flavor and mild sweetness. Their color ranges from yellow to dark red (
For centuries, people have used hawthorn berries as an herbal remedy for digestive problems, heart problems and high blood pressure. In fact, the berries have been a central part of traditional Chinese medicine since at least 659 AD (
Antioxidants help neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals that can harm your body when present in high levels.
Free radicals can come from certain foods. You can also get higher levels of them from exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution and cigarette smoke (
Hawthorn Berries, Leaf & Flower (alcohol Free)
Polyphenols are associated with many health benefits due to their antioxidant activity, including a lower risk of
Although the initial research in animals and cells is promising, more studies in humans are needed to evaluate the effects of hawthorn berries on disease risk.
Summary Hawthorn berries contain plant polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties that have been linked to many health benefits.
Research has found that chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, asthma and certain cancers (
Amazon.com: Hawthorn Berry Capsules
In a study conducted in mice with liver disease, hawthorn berry extract significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory compounds, leading to reduced inflammation and liver damage (
In one study, researchers gave vitexin—a compound found in hawthorn leaves—to mice with respiratory conditions. This treatment reduced the production of inflammatory molecules and reduced the response of white blood cells to inflammation (
These promising results from animal and test-tube studies suggest that the supplement may offer anti-inflammatory benefits to humans. However, further research is needed.
Summary Hawthorn berry extract has shown anti-inflammatory potential in in vitro and animal studies. Still, human research is needed.
Countryman: Foraging California’s Wild Side: Hawthorn Berry Fruit Leather
In traditional Chinese medicine, hawthorn berries are one of the most commonly recommended foods for treating high blood pressure (
Animal studies show that hawthorn can act as a vasodilator, meaning it can relax constricted blood vessels, and ultimately lower blood pressure (
A 10-week study looked at the effects of taking hawthorn extract in 36 people with mildly elevated blood pressure.
The researchers found that those who took 500 mg of the extract daily reduced their diastolic blood pressure – the bottom number of a blood pressure reading (
Hawthorn Cordial Recipe: Hawthorn For The Heart
In a 2006 study, researchers gave 1,200 mg of hawthorn extract to 79 people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure daily for 16 weeks. The people who took the extract experienced more improvements in blood pressure than those in the placebo group (
Still, more studies are needed to back up these findings. Also, it is important to note that using the extract is not the same as eating berries.
Summary Some studies suggest that hawthorn berries may reduce blood pressure by helping to dilate blood vessels. However, further studies are needed.
Some studies suggest that hawthorn extract may improve blood cholesterol levels thanks to its flavonoid and pectin content. Pectin is a type of fiber involved in cholesterol metabolism (
Hawthorn Berries (zaaroor)
Imbalanced cholesterol levels in the blood – especially high triglycerides and low HDL (good) cholesterol play a role in atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque in your blood vessels (
If the plaque continues to build up, it can completely block a blood vessel, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
In one animal study, mice given two doses of hawthorn extract had lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, as well as 28-47% lower levels of triglycerides in the liver, compared to mice that did not receive the extract (
Similarly, a 6-week study in rats showed that when the rats were given hawthorn berry supplements, they significantly reduced fasting triglyceride levels and LDL (bad) cholesterol (
Hawthorn Berries (crataegus Monogyna)
Finally, a 6-month study in 64 people with atherosclerosis found that taking hawthorn extract at a dose of 2.3 mg per pound (5 mg/kg) of body weight significantly reduced the thickness of harmful plaque buildup in the carotid artery (
Although this research is promising, more human studies are needed to evaluate the effect of hawthorn extract on blood cholesterol.
A summary of animal and human research indicates that taking hawthorn extract may help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, further human research is needed.
People have used hawthorn berries and extract for centuries to treat digestive problems, especially indigestion and stomach pain (
Benefits Of Using Siberian Hawthorn Berries
The berries contain fiber, which has been shown to aid digestion by reducing constipation and act as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are foods that nourish and promote healthy intestinal bacteria, which are essential for maintaining healthy digestion (
One observational study in people with slow digestion found that each additional gram of dietary fiber people consumed was associated with a 30-minute decrease in time between bowel movements (
In addition, a rat study observed that hawthorn extract dramatically reduced the transit time of food in the gastrointestinal tract (
Furthermore, research in rodents suggests that compounds in hawthorn berries may improve the production and activity of digestive enzymes—that is, those needed to digest fatty, high-protein foods (
Does Hawthorn Lower Blood Pressure?
Summary People have used hawthorn berries as a digestive aid for centuries. It may help relieve constipation and increase the production of enzymes needed to digest fatty foods and protein.
Hawthorn berries may help prevent premature aging of the skin caused by collagen breakdown due to excessive exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light.
One in vitro study found that a mixture of hawthorn extract and ginseng can prevent signs of aging by delaying the formation of wrinkles