Hawthorn

Buy Hawthorn

Scientific Name:  Crataegus monogyna; C. oxyacanthoides; Crataegus oxycantha


Parts Used:  Fruit/berries, leaves and flowering tops


Cautions:

• Consult a doctor if taking any heart medications. 

Healing Properties

• Heart tonic, nervine, alterative, nutritive
• Good for the heart and coronary circulation
• Used for angina, hypertension/high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and poor circulation
• Will help stop bleeding
• Sometimes used for diarrhea, digestive upsets and heavy menstrual bleeding
• Can be used externally to draw out thorns and splinters
• Can be used as a gargle to relieve sore throats
• Can be used as a douche for vaginal discharges

How to Use: 

• Add fresh berries to food and beverages.
• Tea/Infusion (best consumed immediately, but can be stored in the fridge for up to 48 hours):
  • Cover fresh (1/4 cup) or dried (1 Tablespoon) herb with boiling water.  Let steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain & drink.
• Syrup (Can be stored longer - up to 2 weeks in the fridge, or frozen indefinitely): 
  • Make 2 cups of the tea.  Add to cast iron or stainless-steel pan.  Add 2 cups sugar or honey and heat the mixture on med-low heat until the sugar/honey is dissolved and it thickens into a light syrup.  Remove from heat and let it cool.  Store in a glass bottle (cork top, not screw, because syrups can ferment and explode if sealed too tightly).  Take in 1-2 teaspoon doses every 3-4 hours. 
• Tincture (Can be stored longer - generally last for 2+ years and some say potency increases with age):
  • Add 2 cups water to 1 quart of vodka or rum that is approximately 37.5% alcohol).  Put this in a clean bottle, clearly labeled (not all will be used for the tincture and you can use the remaining for additional batches).  Put 1/4 pound of dried herb (or 3/4 pound fresh) into a large wide-mouthed glass jar.  Add 2 cups of the diluted alcohol mixture to the jar, screw lid on tight and shake well.  Leave jar in a cool dark place for 2 weeks, shaking well every couple of days.  After 2 weeks, strain the mixture and store the liquid in a clean, dark glass bottle.  Add 1/2 - 1 teaspoon tincture to juice or warm water  3-4 times daily.  
• Oil Infusions (Can be stored longer - generally will last for at least a year, often longer): 
  • Hot Infusion:  Use a large double boiler.  Fill lower pan with water and put 1/4 pound dried herb (or 1/3 pound fresh) and 2 cups of base oil (sunflower or similar) to the top pan.  Heat on medium-low heat for 3 hours (check water level of bottom pan often and add boiling water as needed). Strain the oil into a pitcher.  Cool completely, then pour oil into glass bottles and store in a cool dark place.
  • Cold Infusion: Pack a medium sized jar with dried or fresh herb (1 inch from the top).  Cover herb with safflower or walnut oil.  Leave the jar in a sunny indoor location for at least 3 weeks.  Strain the mixture and repeat process again using more herb and the oil from the first infusion.  Leave it in a sunny indoor location again for an additional 2-3 weeks.  Strain the oil again, place in glass bottles and store in a cool dark place. 

Grow/Harvest Yourself: 

• Buy Hawthorn Seeds
• Harvest the flowering tops in the spring
• Harvest the fruit/berries when ripe in late summer/fall (can also dry and store)
• Hardiness: Zone 3
• Soil pH: alkaline
• Rich, moist, loamy soil
• Full sun to part shade