What is another name for hawthorn?
Common hawthorn is also known as ‘May thorn’, ‘May blossom’ and ‘Quick thorn’ and features in many traditional May-time celebrations; for example, the flowers were used to make garlands for May Day. Rich in amino acids, minerals, pectin, vitamin C, chlorogenic acid, epicatechol, and choline, hawthorn has a high therapeutic and health value. Many studies have shown that hawthorn has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-cardiovascular disease, and digestive enhancing properties.Hawthorn is a flowering shrub or tree of the rose family. It grows in temperate regions throughout the world. Hawthorn was traditionally used for heart disease, digestion, blood circulation, and kidney and bladder problems.Specifically, hawthorn possesses a wide range of biological actions relevant to the treatment of toxic hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Accordingly, hawthorn extracts can be developed as a major source of therapeutic agents for liver diseases.Hawthorn is generally well tolerated without adverse events; minor side effects may include diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and nausea. Rare instances of hypersensitivity reactions, skin rash and allergic dermatitis have been described.Hawthorn Tea (Crataegus monogyna) It is also good for irregular heartbeats and palpitations and may help prevent heart disease in older people. These effects are developed over many months. Therefore, the tea should be taken daily over a long period. Even with prolonged use, no side effects have been reported.
Are any hawthorns poisonous?
While hawthorn berries aren’t directly classified as poisonous to humans, there are some instances when they may cause some adverse effects when consumed. The seeds of the fruits in the Rosaceae family are known for containing an amygdalin compound which is basically cyanide that has bonded with sugar. Simply find your Hawthorn bush and carefully collect a few sprigs of the blossom, including a couple of leaves (watch out for the thorns). Then wash and put two or three sprigs into a tea pot, steep with boiling water and leave for a few minutes.Hawthorn is a flowering shrub or tree of the rose family. It grows in temperate regions throughout the world. Hawthorn was traditionally used for heart disease, digestion, blood circulation, and kidney and bladder problems.To prepare organic hawthorn leaf tea, steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried hawthorn leaves in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Strain and enjoy as-is, or add some sweeteners or citrus for more interesting flavor.When taken by mouth: Hawthorn is possibly safe when used in doses up to 1800 mg daily for up to 16 weeks. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if hawthorn is safe when used for longer than 16 weeks.
What is special about the hawthorn tree?
Hawthorn is steeped in folklore, particularly in Europe. It’s known as a “fairy tree” in the UK, believed to be a portal to the fairy realm. Farmers would often plant hawthorn around their fields, thinking it would protect their crops and cattle from witches. There are also some more macabre associations. It was generally held that it was bad luck to bring any part of the hawthorn into the house. Likewise, if one was to hit someone or drive cows with a branch of hawthorn, it was also thought to cause misfortune or death.Hawthorn is an excellent firewood as it burns hot and slowly. Even the smaller twigs are worth using.