A Treatise on Crataegus Drug Treatise No. XI, Lloyd Bros., 1917 (88 KB)
The mayflowers of hawthorn brighten up the British landscape every year, bringing gladness to the heart. There is a good reason for this. They contain flavonoids which have a profound tonic action on the heart and circulation. They have the properties of being positively inotropic, meaning that they have the effect of strengthening the force of the heart contraction, and negatively chronotropic, meaning that they slow down the rhythm of the heart. This combined action has the overall effect of improving blood flow in coronary arteries thereby nourishing the heart.
The berries also contain similar compounds. A double tincture made from the hawthorn, by making a tincture of the flowers in Spring, and then using this to make a tincture of the berries in Autumn, is one of our most prised herbal medicines. This is used to treat hypertension (raised blood pressure) and many other circulatory disorders. It needs to be used consistently over a long period, and can be used as a daily tonic by anyone who feels they might be at risk from heart and circulatory complications. It can be taken safely for years, and is often used in combination with other herbs such as yarrow, lime flowers, motherwort, and viburnum opulus.
Home Use:
Try making a tea with the dried flowers combined in equal parts with lemon balm and lime flowers. This is delicious and relaxing to sip in the evening, helping to promote restful sleep.
An interesting link:
“If your patient would get well he must think healthy thoughts. We are all familiar
with the mischief wrought in our heart cases, by the patient’s mental condition.
Have you not seen one, when he thought no-
Finley Ellingwood, American Herbalist, 1909
Hawthorn
Crataegus laevegata (Rosaceae)
Hawthorn Vinegar
Mascerate 150g dried hawthorn flowers in 1 Litre unpasteurised organic cider vinegar. Let it steep for 2 weeks. Press out through a muslin cloth then filter through a coffee filter. Bottle in dark glass and keep in a cool dark place. Will keep for a year or more., provided the flowers were properly dried.
Dose:
Take 2 tablespoons per day. Can be mixed with honey to improve the taste and minimise the rasping sensation.Hawthorn Tincture
Make a tincture from the flowers in May (dried frlowers, with 25% alcohol; 1:4 flowers/menstuum ratio), then use this tincture to mascerate berries in September, giving you a compound tincture of flowers and berries. Use produce from the same tree or trees if you can.
Actions:
- Positively inotropic: Improves systolic contraction
- Negatively chronotropic
- Antioxidant
- Cardiotonic - trophorestorative
- Hypotensive
- Diuretic
- Vasodilator
- Anti-arrhythmic
- reduces cholesterol: prevents binding of cholesterol to artery walls (thus reducing atheroma), increases excretionof cholesterol through liver and lowers LDLs
- Prolongs refractory period
- Reduces the effects of hypoxia on ventricular muscle fibres
- Partial beta antagonist
- Increases coronary bloodflow
Uses:
- Maintenance of heart health
- Congestive heart disease
- Angina
- Arrhythmia
- Hypertension
- Anxiety
- Chronic and post viral fatigue
Components:
Leaves and flowers contain oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) which are potent antioxidants, well absorbed in the gut. Also flavonoids, including quercitin, vitexin, and epicatechin - all reputedly with anti-cancer properties. Berries contain Anthocyanidins.