Hawthorn Berries and Powder Profile
Also known as
Crataegus
laevigata (Midland hawthorn), Crataegus monogyna (English hawthorn),
Aubepine, Bianco Spino, Crataegi Fructus, Crataegus cuneata, Crataegus
oxyacantha, Crataegus pinnatifida, English Hawthorn, Epine Blanche,
Epine de Mai, Haagdorn, Hagedorn, Harthorne, Haw, Hawthrone,
Hedgethorn, May, Maybush, Maythorn, Mehlbeebaum, Meidorn, Nan Shanzha,
Oneseed Hawthorn, Shanzha, Weissdorn, Whitehorn.
Introduction
The
folklore and legends surrounding the hawthorn tree is quite large, and
goes back many centuries, especially in Europe and the British Isles.
The most famous hawthorn in Britain is the Holy Thorn of Glastonbury,
which grows at Glastonbury Tor, the supposed resting place of King
Arthur. According to legend, the tree was grown after Joseph of
Arimathea, upon arriving at Glastonbury Tor, thrust his staff into the
ground, and from this the tree grew. Although the original is no longer
there, several of its supposed descendents still grow there. When it
blooms during the winter, a sprig is traditionally sent to the Queen,
who is said to decorate her breakfast table on Christmas morning.
Hawthorn fruit has long been used as a food and medicine in Europe;
particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where it ranks as one
of the most popularly used botanical medicines, especially for treating
declining heart function. Many clinical studies have been conducted on
hawthorn over the past 20 years with great promise. The berry is a
yellowish brown to wine-red, oval, wrinkled, and berry-like fruit
(actually a pome).
Constituents
Flavonoids
and oligomeric procyanidins. The berries contain more hyperoside than
the leaves and flowers, and the leaves and flowers contain more vitexin
rhamnoside than the berries.
Parts Used
The whole berry, dried, crushed and powdered
Typical Preparations
Hawthorn
berries are more often used to make tinctures than teas, smoothies and
punches. May also be taken encapsulated or as an extract.
Summary
Hawthorn
berries are antispasmodic, cardiac, diuretic, sedative, tonic and
vasodilator. Like hawthorn leaves and flowers, hawthorn berries have a
hypotensive effect as well as acting as a direct and mild heart tonic.
The traditional use of hawthorn berries is the treatment of weak heart
combined with high blood pressure. The berries are also used to treat a
heart muscle weakened by age, for inflammation of the heart muscle, for
arteriosclerosis, and for nervous heart. The effect of hawthorn berry
on these heart conditions is not immediate; it may be necessary to take
the herb for 4 to 6 weeks to see results. Leaf and flower preparations
may work faster, but hawthorn berries are better for some specific
problems. A specific use for hawthorn berries is the treatment of
orthostatic hypotension, a sudden loss of blood pressure caused by
moving from a seated position to a standing position. Orthostatic
hypotension can cause temporary loss of consciousness, and is a common
complication during the first few weeks of medical treatment of high
blood pressure with beta-blockers. A tincture made from a combination
of hawthorn berries and camphor will not eliminate orthostatic
hypotension, but it will reduce it enough that it does not cause
swooning or fainting. Another often-overlooked use of hawthorn
berries"this time as a tea"is treatment irritable bowel syndrome.
Making a cup of tea with no more than a half-teaspoon of crushed, dried
berries can relieve the constipation and gas associated with the
condition. Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine often uses crushed hawthorn
berries with other herbs to treat colitis diarrhea caused by Crohn?s
disease, and various conditions causing rectal bleeding.
Precautions
Taken
in excess, hawthorn berry teas can cause mild diarrhea. This does not
occur when the berries are used to make tinctures or are encapsulated.
Diarrhea is not a side effect of the leaf and flowers. Taken in excess,
hawthorn berry soft drinks, especially if they are made with the
powder, can cause mild diarrhea. (Rice is added to the blend to prevent
stomach upset.) Diarrhea does not occur as a result of using the herb
when the berry powder is used to make tinctures or are encapsulated.
Diarrhea is not a side effect of the leaf and flowers.
For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent
any disease.
This product was added to our catalog on Thursday 18 March, 2010.
