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Hawthorn, crataegus monogyna, is a small deciduous tree or shrub, with lovely white spring flowers, followed by oval red fruits, or berries. These hawthorn berries have been used for heart and circulatory problems for generations.
Hawthorn, often cultivated because of its ornamental beauty, grows wild from Quebec and Nova Scotia, south to North Carolina and west to Oklahoma. In England it is often used as a hedge. Hawthorn can grow up to 40 feet tall, has stout branches and pretty white or pinkish flowers that bloom from April through May, and large thorns that were believed to be used for Christ’s crown of thorns. The berries ripen by late summer, and they are what is used medicinaly, although the leaves and flowers are also used.
Hawthorn berries have been used medicinally since the 19th century, when an Irish doctor began using it successfully, to treat heart disease.
Hawthorn is antispasmodic, cardiac, and sedative. It is said to normalize blood pressure by regulating heart beat, and will lower the blood pressure. Heart muscle weakened by age will be greatly benefited by hawthorn, and it is helpful in arteriosclerosis, and with nervous heart problems. Both high and low blood pressure are helped by hawthorn. In fact, hawthorn tea can greatly benefit anyone under pressure and strain, and the tea is particularly helpful in fighting insomnia. Check with your doctor before you try it.
Too make the tea, steep 1 teaspoon of the dried flowers in a 1/2 cup water, sweeten with honey, if you like, and drink. Regular use of hawthorn is said to strengthen the heart, and calm nervous conditions. The astringent berries made into a decoction are beneficial for sore throats.
Make a decoction by using 1 teaspoon of crushed fruit to a 1/2 cup of cold water. Let steep for 8 hours, then bring to a quick boil and strain. Sweeten it with honey, if you like, and drink. Do not use concentrated preparations without medical supervision.
Hawthorn, another one of nature’s beautiful, and highly useful plants!
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