Hawthorn Flower & Leaves 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Hawthorn Flower & Leaves – 100 g ($11.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:
Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. Eastern medicine has long used hawthorn to treat age-related forms of memory problems, and scientific research has identified two ways in which the herb works. One is through its effect on cholesterol (see page 84), since fewer and smaller plaques in the arteries supplying the brain means that more blood reaches the brain’s tissues. The other way is through its high content of both vitamin C and substances that assist vitamin C, known as cofactors. These substances strengthen tiny capillaries in the brain, especially when these vessels are under stress from high blood pressure or microscopic blood clots. Open capillaries result in more nutrients and oxygen for the brain.
• Angina, cardiac arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure. Studies show that substances found in hawthorn interact with key enzymes in the heart to increase the pumping force of the heart muscle and to eliminate arrhythmias. Hawthorn also works to dilate the blood vessels, especially the coronary blood vessels. This enables more oxygen-rich blood to get to the heart and thus to reduce the risk that the heart will be deprived of oxygen, which causes the painful sensations of chest pressure and tightness commonly known as angina pectoris. German studies have confirmed that hawthorn is beneficial for people with angina when taken for at least eight weeks. Hawthorn’s action is not immediate, but develops very slowly.
• Atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stroke. A large body of scientific research has shown that the fruit, leaves, and flowers of various hawthorn species dilate the blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and dissolve cholesterol deposits. Hawthorn fights atherosclerosis, in which cholesterol forms plaques on blood-vessel walls. It increases the rate at which low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol—the “bad,” artery-clogging kind of cholesterol—is cleared from the body. Hawthorn also fights atherosclerosis by providing antioxidants, which prevent plaque formation. In one study, using a standardized extract of Crataegus berries (Crataegisan), patients with NYHA class II heart failure were able to better tolerate exercise. These patients took 30 drops of a standardized extract (Crataegisan) three times a day and thirty minutes prior to meals for eight weeks. In another study, patients with heart disease took 600 milligrams a day of hawthorn and did better on a bicycle exercise test.
• Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and anxiety. Hawthorn extracts may relieve restlessness, acting out, and anxiety in children; however, it is contraindicated for children twelve years of age and under. The herb not only increases circulation to the brain, but also stops inflammatory responses caused by allergies. Allergies give the brain of a person with an attention deficit problem more information than it can process efficiently. Extracts of C. laevigata have a sedative effect on the central nervous system. In one study, patients with anxiety disorders showed improvement in their symptoms using a hawthorn mixture compared to a placebo. Hawthorn was taken with Eschscholzia californica (California poppy) in a product called Sympathyl, and they took two tablets twice daily for three months.
• Diabetic retinopathy. Laboratory studies indicate that hawthorn has beneficial effects on blood sugar levels and blood viscosity, or stickiness, both of which are implicated in diabetic retinopathy. Few clinical studies exist to support this contention.

Recommendations for Use

Hawthorn is available in capsules, tablets, and tinctures. Many people find teas made from hawthorn berries to have a laxative effect.

When buying hawthorn extracts for treatment of anxiety, you should make sure the label states that the source plant is C. laevigata or C. oxyacantha. The best formulations of hawthorn for supplemental treatment of heart conditions are those containing a standardized extract made from hawthorn leaves and flowers, such as Nature’s Way HeartCare Hawthorn Extract. You should use hawthorn as a heart tonic only. It is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment. If you have been diagnosed with angina, cardiac arrhythmias, or congestive heart failure, use this herb only in consultation with a physician.

Side effects from hawthorn include heart palpitations, dizziness, headache, vertigo, hot flashes, and gastrointestinal complaints. In particular, attention should be paid to heart rate and blood pressure. In the case of swelling legs or other problematic symptoms, medical management may be needed. A medical diagnosis is absolutely necessary when pains occur in the heart area, upper abdomen, or area around the neck, or in cases of respiratory distress. Taking large amounts of hawthorn may result in sedation or a dramatic drop in blood pressure, which in turn may cause you to feel faint. Children twelve and under and pregnant or nursing women should use hawthorn only under the direction of a licensed health-care professional. It is not to be used when taking anticlotting or antiarrhythmic drugs. For central nervous system depressants, hawthorn may make the drugs have stronger effects.

Botanical Name: Crataegus monogyna
English: Hawthorne
Also, known as: May blossom, Maybush, Whitethom, Mayblossom, Hedgethom, Mayflower, Haw
Habitat: Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia and North America
Origin: Bulgaria
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Flower and Leaves

General Information:
Crataegus monogyna species are shrubs or small trees, mostly growing to 5-10 feet in height with small pome fruit. Branches have sharp, straight thorns. The thorns are small sharp-tipped branches that arise either from other branches or from the trunk. The bark is smooth grey in young individuals, developing shallow longitudinal fissures with narrow ridges in older trees. Leaves are frequently lobed with serrated margins and grow spirally arranged on long shoots, and in clusters on spur shoots on the branches or twigs, hawthorn leaves are shiny and grow in a variety of shapes and sizes. Fragrant flowers are typically white but maybe pink, forming in clusters Found in woodlands, hedges, and urban areas. The fruit, sometimes known as a “haw” is berries -like but structurally a pome containing from 2-3 pyrenes that resemble the “stones” of plums, peaches, etc., which are drupaceous fruit in the same subfamily. Small berries, called haws, sprout after the flowers. They are usually red when ripe, but they may also be black. Flowers bloom and can be collected in spring, and the berries form in early autumn The name “hawthorn” was originally applied to the species native to northern Europe, especially the common hawthorn.

Hawthorn berries “haws” have been used to make wine and jelly and to flavor brandy for years, but not many people are aware of the impressive ways this plant has been used as a medicine. Every part of the hawthorn berry, including the flowers, berries, leaves, items and even the bark, was used to make medicines in ancient Greece, as well as food, also one time it was known as the “bread and cheese tree” because the flowers, berries and leaves are all safe to eat, so it was a lifesaver during famines. Also known as there are hundreds of hawthorn species, and each has its own set of valuable healing compounds.

The hawthorn berry bush belongs to the same family of plants as apples and roses, so it’s fitting that the fruit is usually brilliant red like roses on steroids, the berries are accompanied by long, woody thorns that can do a lot of damage if you’re not cautious.

How to use:
Hot Infusion
The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, tea leaves ponds and curio root powder
You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing teas in ice trays or pop molds.