Using Hawthorn Berries – Hawthorn grows as both a shrub and tree throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As a member of the Rosaceae (rose) family, it is protected with sharp thorns. Hawthorn has a somewhat neglected medicinal secret: Hawthorn berries, full of mild sweetness and tangy sourness. From heart tonic to stress reliever, here are five health benefits of Hawthorn Berry.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the hawthorn berry is known as a heart tonic, and recent research shows that these “fire berries” are cardioprotective.
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Using Hawthorn Berries
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 stimulate and strengthen blood vessel walls. The plant exhibits positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects as well as an increase in coronary blood flow and exercise tolerance.
Hawthorn Berry Uk High Resolution Stock Photography And Images
Hawthorn extracts including the berries, leaves and flowers are also used to treat heart conditions such as bradyarrhythmia and vasculitis, according to a 2016 report published in
. However, hawthorn in general may increase the chance of bleeding in patients taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents.
Should you take hawthorn berries 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 tea.
Hawthorn berries contain fiber, a digestive aid that acts as a prebiotic to reduce constipation. Prebiotics stimulate and nourish the growth of good gut bacteria that are essential for a healthy digestive system.
Hawthorn Berry (crataegus Monogyna)
Hawthorn (its berries, leaves, and flowers) has been found useful in treating 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 in the treatment of abdominal pain, diarrhea, distension and indigestion. The paper notes its use as an effective diuretic in European tradition.
Hawthorn berry is listed as a natural ingredient in some hair care and hair growth products, but is it effective? In the past, hawthorn berry has shown promise in stimulating the growth and size of hair follicles in rats. The polyphenol content in these berries is believed to cause these effects. However, further research is needed on the effects in humans.
How do you use Hawthorn Berry on your hair? Many people prefer to include hawthorn berries in their diet, such as making hawthorn berry syrup for pancakes, and absorb the nutrients that way. Others invest in over-the-counter natural hair care products like hawthorn berry butters or tonics.
Hawthorn Berry Powder — Rooted Apothecary
David Hoffmann, BSc, founding member and past president of the American Herbalists Guild, recommends making a tea by steeping a teaspoon of hawthorn berries in a cup of warm water and then straining it before consuming. 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 therapies.
Free radicals are unstable atoms linked to aging, chronic disease and cancer. The 2015 scientific bibliography with 88 papers published in
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 for chronic disease.
Hawthorn extracts may contain compounds from the berries, flowers and leaves of the hawthorn plant that help reduce anxiety. An earlier double-blind study published in
Hawthorn (crataegus Oxycantha)
Analyzed a formulation of hawthorn extract, California poppy flower, and magnesium and its effects on 264 people with anxiety. Results revealed a significant reduction in mild to moderate levels of anxiety compared to placebo. However, the specific role played by hawthorn was not 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 supplements often contain the berry, flowers and leaves. The NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health indicates that the most common side effects from taking hawthorn may include nausea, dizziness, and digestive symptoms. Those taking anticoagulants should avoid eating hawthorn.
Always consult your doctor or a registered dietitian before adding any supplement to your diet. Many products have different dosage recommendations, and your healthcare provider can better direct you as they know your medical history.
The People’s Pharmacy
Tiffany Chaney is an environmental and wellness activist dedicated to advocacy, ethics and transparency. Chaney holds a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Salem College and completed an apprenticeship in Western herbalism and traditional Chinese medicine at Tree of Life Wellness Center and Piedmont Herb School in Winston-Salem, NC. She is also a published creative writer and artist, currently living in Virginia. Hawthorn fossils found in the 1990s date back to the mid-Miocene Epoch, 15 million years ago. The geological survey that discovered these fossils discovered them in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
The most popular variety of hawthorn comes from the Central Asian and European group consisting of about 100 species. Often, it grows as a tree with a trunk with flowers that give off a rather unpleasant aroma. The berries it bears are commonly used in a variety of herbal preparations. They are also considered as a nutritious food source.
The hawthorn fruit is characterized by its elongated, pear-shaped or round shape. The berries are generally the same size as cultivated large blueberries. Depending on its specific species, the colors of the berries can range from red, orange-yellow, blue, black or yellow. Its flesh is very similar to that of a rose – dry and mealy.
While hawthorn berries are not directly classified as poisonous, there are some cases where they can cause some adverse effects when consumed. The seeds of the fruits in
Four Red Hawthorn Berries And Yellow Leaves On A Branch Of Tree On A Blue Sky Stock Photo
The family is known for containing a compound amygdalin which is basically cyanide bound to sugar. When eaten, this combination can be converted to hydrogen cyanide as it travels through the small intestine.
The lowest reported lethal dose of hydrogen cyanide in humans was 0.54 mg/kg body weight. The average absorbed dose at the time of death was estimated to be 1/4 mg hydrogen cyanide per kg body weight.
This means that if you weigh 70 pounds, your lowest lethal dose would be 37.8 mg, or about 54 grams of crushed apple seeds (they must be crushed for the amygdalin to come in contact with the enzymes). This means you should avoid eating 66 crushed apple seeds. I’d say it’s pretty easy to do.
Just like apples, when eating hawthorn berries, it is best practice to spit out the seeds. An adult who accidentally ingests a few pieces of its seeds should have no problem. However, for children, side effects are likely to be more severe.
Simple Ways To Harness The Healing Power Of Hawthorn
The flesh of the fruit itself is not poisonous. However, there have been cases where people have reported an unpleasant aftertaste.
Around spring, most people will harvest the leaves before they change color and use them for salads. The same can be done for its flower petals. Berries generally taste much better after frost, but can also be used before frost.
The berries can be used to make jellies and jams. They are also added to baked goods. The berries, flowers and leaves are used to make tea. Many people use hawthorn tea when making couscous, quinoa or rice.
There are a whole host of medicinal benefits that one can derive from the use of hawthorn berry. This is why its supplement forms are used to treat a variety of ailments.
Hawthorn: Foraging And Using
Specifically, hawthorn supplements are noted to be used for conditions related to the heart and circulatory system. However, these supplements may not be as effective in treating severe forms of related conditions.
Berries in tea form can be beneficial in lowering and regulating blood pressure. The naturally high pectin content makes them ideal for making jelly. Although the berries do not have a particularly pleasant flavor when eaten whole, they are often mixed with a variety of other fruits to make wine or pie. Hawthorn is a notorious heart tonic that works on the heart both physically and energetically. Hawthorn’s rich medicine comes in the form of leaves, flowers and berries. It is known to have supportive and protective properties, its name,
Which means strength. With cardiovascular disease and heart failure on the rise in Canada, let’s make Hawthorn a household name! Keep reading to discover how you can support your heart and the health of your loved ones with hawthorn medicine. Plus, check out the recipe for a delicious hawthorn berry syrup.
Hawthorn is a deciduous, thorny tree that belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae). There are 280 species in the genus Crataegus but C. laevigata and C. monogyna are most commonly used in herbal medicine. Hawthorn produces white or pink, five-petalled flowers in spring that give way to bright red berries or “hawks” in early fall. The berries are blood red with white mealy flesh and a large stone. With a mild sweet and sour taste, they are used both as food and medicine. The berries are enjoyed by small birds and animals that nest in the tree’s spiny, protective branches.
Hawthorn Berry: Your Heart’s Best Friend
As one of the oldest