Thursday, 20 October 2011

Hawthorn Berry (Crateagus oxycanthus)

I once heard said by a herbalist that the plants you need in your life for health will find you, and here I am wondering if the 3 gorgeous horthorn plants I purchased some time ago just because I thought they were pretty are here for that reason.

Heart disease runs in our family (along with a host of other things like diabetes, hypothyroidism etc-(my parents should never have been allowed to breed LOL).


The hawthorn tree has been revered for centuries with many legends being associated to it for its magic-like healing properties. It is considered the ultimate herbal heart tonic, as it has a natural ability to either stimulate or depress the heart's activities accordingly. Hawthorn also aids in depression and anxiety, while promoting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. For any hawthorn remedy to be effective, it must be used over a long period of time.

Hawthorn Berries are used since the nineteen century to support the heart and to normalize cardiovascular functions. Till today, Hawthorn Berries is still one of the most valuable medical herbs that is used in the treatment of congestive heart failure circulatory disorders.

Hawthorn is considered as a cardio tonic herb, the flowers and berries are used in traditional medicine to treat irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure , chest pains, hardening of arteries and congestive heart failure. Some of the medical benefits of hawthorn Berries are they are thought to be a great herb for heart as this flavonoid rich food is tissue specifically for the heart and the vascular system. It also strengthens these issues and removes the inflammation on them.

Hawthorn itself is also used to treat people with insomnia who have difficulty sleeping in the night. It is considered a cardiac tonic for all heart related issues. It has a strong antioxidant power to remove unwanted acids from the body. It is also an excellent inflammatory medicine and should be used in all cases of inflammation.
Hawthorn however has their own side effects to when it is taken unknowingly to a person who suffers from a low blood pressure because of the hawthorn strengths and effects on the heart, people with low blood pressure may not be able to take it.

Hawthorn itself although regards as a safe medicine, other side effects such as nausea , sweating, fatigue and rashes do develop on unexpected occasion so it will be better to watch for the symptoms and stop taking the medicine when it really do occurs to the one taking it or we should consult our doctor beforehand to ask whether is it safe before consuming it.

Create a tincture using one or all consumable parts of the hawthorn tree. Most tinctures are made with alcohol, but if you have sensitivities or prefer a non-alcoholic version, simply use vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar instead. If you do use alcohol, use a quality grade of 80 to 100 proof.

If using glycerin, dilute 50/50 with water. With vinegar, it works best to warm it. Chop your herbs finely. Fresh herbs are recommended over dried herbs, regardless of quality, as your ultimate goal in making a tincture is to preserve the freshness of the plant.

Place chopped herbs into a clean, dry jar. Shoot for a ratio of 1 part herb to 2 parts alcohol (or chosen medium). Generally, there should be 2 to 3 inches of liquid above the herbs to insure total submersion.

Cover with a tight fitting lid and place in a warm location for 4 to 6 weeks. Shake the bottle daily.

After the appropriate duration of time, strain your herbs and place the liquid in a colored, glass tincture bottle.
Keep in a cool dark location.
This tincture will keep almost indefinitely. Take 1 teaspoon of tincture three times daily for a month -- or more.

Always consult with a physician prior to consuming any herbs. Though herbal side-effects are generally uncommon, it's important to consult with a professional before embarking on any new health regime.

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