Hawthorn Berries and Bark
Crataegus Oxymnema
AKA: English Hawthorn, Mayflower, May Bush, May
blossom
 Hawthorn comes from a small, spiny tree indigenous to the Mediterranean
region. A grove of Hawthorn trees, said to be sacred, grow
outside of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives. It is said that the
crown of thorns that Christ wore was woven from these trees.
Hawthorn, sometimes spelled Hawthorn, is also known by the names Haw,
May Blossom, May Day Flower, and White Thorn. The genus name "Crataegus"
comes from the Greek, "kratos", referring to the hardness of the
wood. In Celtic folklore, fairies are said to 'hang out' in
Hawthorn groves. Throughout history, both the Greeks and Romans
associated Hawthorn with marriage & fertility. Hawthorn Berries have
been used since the 19th century to support the heart, and to
normalize cardiovascular functions. And so Hawthorn has had its
reputation both as a symbol of hope, and as a symbol of evil.
Today, Hawthorn Berries are one of the most popular herbs used in
Europe, and gaining wider acceptance in the United States.
Here Is Where Hawthorn Gets Interesting:
Hawthorn is considered by many herbalists to be the top
herb of all for the heart. Hawthorn moves oxygen to the
heart as it increases the enzymatic metabolism of the
heart muscles. Hawthorn mildly dilates coronary blood
vessels and also vessels around the body reducing blood
pressure and thereby stress on the heart. Hawthorn
improves cardiac weakness, angina pectoris, valve
murmurs from valve defects, an enlarged heart, edema,
blood pressure high or low, hardening of the arties,
irregular heartbeat, heart weakness etc. It is said to
strengthen the walls of the arteries, and may also,
strengthen the hearts pumping power.
A combination of several
constituents seems to be directly responsible for the
increase in heart muscle contraction force, by blocking
whatever is reducing the contraction, for example, beta-blockers.
The flavones help control the intracellular Calcium ion
concentration. Hawthorn berries contain
leucoanthocyanins, flavonoids, hyperoside, vitexin 2-rhamnoside,
glycosylflavones, amines, catechols, phenolcarboxylic
acids, triterpene acids, sterols, inositol, PABA,
saponins and purines. The main activity of Hawthorn is
derived from the potent mixture of pigment
bioflavonoids, as well as oligomeric procyanidins (dehydrocatechins)
that seem to be particularly active. Some of the
flavonoid glycosides are thought to work in a similar
way to digitoxin, having a vasodilating effect that
could be helpful in the treatment of angina. They also
produce marked sedative effects which indicate an action
on the central nervous system.
It is the flavonoids in Hawthorn that act on the heart,
having a dilating and strengthening effect on cardiac
and circulatory problems. Hawthorn can help a damaged
heart work more effectively. Scientific research
indicates that Hawthorn improves myocardial metabolism
allowing the heart to function more effectively with
less oxygen. The Chinese understood these healing
properties very well. They would take a tough chicken
and soak it in Hawthorn because of its ability to soften.
Hawthorn also has astringent properties and may
be helpful in treating seborrhea and acne. The herb
may also be beneficial in other skin inflammatory
conditions. The gentle action of this berry promotes
the regulation of a good circulatory system, dilates the
blood vessels and lowers resistance to blood flow.
Hawthorn Berry is
considered to be among the safest of all herbal
supplements.
Some rare side effects may include nausea, rapid
heartbeat or headache. There are some drug
interactions possible with Hawthorn Berry, so people
using the herb should consult a physician if they are
taking any prescription medications. For example,
Hawthorn Berry may enhance the activity of the heart
medication Digoxin. It can also counteract the effects
of products, such as nasal decongestants, that contain
phenylephrine. Phenylephrine constricts blood vessels,
so the ability of Hawthorn berry to dilate blood vessels
will decrease the effectiveness of medications that
contain it. The methanol or alcohol extract of
hawthorn berries seems to be more effective.
Sources:
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
Nutritional Herbology, by Mark Pedersen, Wendell W. Whitman Company, 1998
Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania 1987
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, by James A. Duke, Pub. CRP Second Edition 2007
|
