Hawthorn is a spiny shrub with simple toothed leaves and white flowers. The fruit is a dry red berry that has been used medicinally since the first century, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It grows mostly in the eastern and central regions of the United States as well as Europe and Asia. The berries make a red tea that is known to treat cardiovascular problems such as arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure and heart arrhythmia.
Lowers Blood Pressure
In her book "Family Herbal-A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health, and Vitality," herbalist Rosemary Gladstar labels hawthorn berries as the herb supreme for the heart, as they tone and strengthen the blood vessels and heat muscle. Gladstar writes that hawthorn berry tea helps dilate veins and arteries, releasing cardiovascular constrictions and reducing blood pressure by allowing the blood to flow more freely.
Herbalist David Hoffmann wrote the book "The New Holistic Herbal," and suggests making hawthorn berry tea mixed with lime blossom, yarrow and mistletoe, as a treatment for high blood pressure. Hawthorn berries are considered a tonic, and should be taken for an extended period of time in order to receive the full spectrum of its medical benefits.
Heart Tonic
Hawthorn berry tea is known as a cardiac tonic, as it has twin paradoxical effects, says Simon Mills in his book "The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism." It acts by depressing or stimulating the activity of the heart and circulatory system, depending upon need.
In traditional Chinese medicine, hawthorn berries are used to help digest fatty foods, due to their sour taste and as an agent to promote blood circulation. These two attributes make them a tonic that is used to treat high cholesterol and blood lipid levels, arteriosclerosis and hypertension, says acupuncturist Michael Tierra in his book, "The Way of Chinese Herbs."
Strenghtens Heart
According to herbalist Richo Cech in his book "Making Plant Medicine," hawthorn berries are used to fortify the heart, especially as an ongoing aid in the recuperation from heart surgery and heart attack. He writes that it strengthens the heart muscle while also promoting a sense of open-hearted well-being.
Authors Steven Foster and James Duke wrote the field guide "A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs," about how American Indians used hawthorn berry tea in their folk medicine tradition. Hawthorn tea as a treatment for the heart is confirmed by at least 14 controlled clinical studies, these authors claim.
References
- "Family Herbal-A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health, and Vitality"; Rosemary Gladstar; 2001
- "A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs;" Steven Foster and James A. Duke; 2000
- "The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism;" Simon Y. Mills, M.A., M.N.I.M.H.;1988
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hawthorn
- "Making Plant Medicine;" Richo Cech; 2000
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