This is Part 2 in my series about Heart Health and healing matters of the heart. Hawthorn (Cretaegus monogyna and other spp.) has long been seen as a medicinal plant, mainly in Western herbalism.
Hawthorn berries are the most frequent part made into herbal medicines, though the leaves and flowers carry medicinal qualities too.
Hawthorn berry preparations such as tincture, capsules, and teas, improve circulation of the heart as well as improve its oxygen uptake. It can dilate blood vessels to reduce strain on the heart and can improve a cardiac patient’s tolerance to exercise in conjunction with taking a diuretic (such as cleavers or dandelion leaf.) Hawthorn helps reduce stress and, like rose, soothes a grieving heart. The berries are highly nutritious and are often made into jams and jellies.
Hawthorn flowers can be made into a lovely tea or elixir with mild cardioprotective properties. “The flower essence of Hawthorn channels and purifies the potent will forces of the heart so they become a vehicle of every greater love, compassion and service on behalf of others.” [Flower Essence Society]
Hawthorn leaves are high in quercetin, the same thing that stinging nettle and goldenrod has… you know, the component that helps relive allergy symptoms? I’ve made a lovely tincture with hawthorn leaves before and it combines well with nettle for this feature.
After I learned about hawthorn’s properties back in 2018, I really wanted to grow one. I still have only found it in the wild a few times, but I found a nursery offering Cretaegous monogyna for sale and I ordered one.
After about 5 weeks I was wondering where the heck my poor plant was, so I checked on the shipping status. It was then that I realized I had accidentally bought my little hawthorn baby FROM PORTUGAL.
In case you don’t recall, I live in Connecticut. In the USA. I was terrified and certain that this little plant would never make it alive on such a journey.
Imagine my surprise when it arrived, tightly bound in a shipping tube. I opened the top and as soon as I reached my hand inside to pull it out I knew it was alive and VERY happy to see me! My whole body felt utter joy and love flow through it and I cooed to the little plant baby as I promised to take care of it forever.
I planted it close to my herb garden. It hasn’t grown very big yet, despite my best efforts, nor has it flowered or borne fruit yet. But I sit with it and talk with it every spring, and we love each other very much.
In light of the heart-healing plants I’ve talked about here, I crafted this loving and relaxing tea blend to help you get through the season, whether you’re with someone you love or alone. If you haven’t got your own foraged or grown herbs, you can always order good quality dried ones from Mountain Rose Herbs.
This tea blends the emotional healing qualities of rose and hawthorn with the warming property of ginger and soothing flavor of licorice root. Just use caution with drinking this tea too often, as taking large amounts of licorice root can potentially raise your blood pressure. You may also consider combining hawthorn berry with Linden for a soothing, relaxing cardioprotective.
You can discover the foundations of crafting your own herbal medicines inside my Remedies From Nature online class.
In my next post I’ll be showing you the fastest path to emotional heart health.
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