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FEATURED
HERBS
HANS aims to
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Crataegus oxycantha - Hawthorn
Rosaceae
Description:
There are several hundred varieties of Hawthorn, and all have
medicinal properties. They
are of two major types, and the one with a single hard stone in the berry
is the herb used for cardiovascular problems. The leaf resembles somewhat that
of a small oak leaf. Other
varieties of Hawthorn also contain valuable antioxidants, but no evidence
yet that they are useful for the heart.
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves, fruit

Folklore: The tree was
formerly regarded as sacred, as it was believed that it had furnished the
Crown of Thorns.
Harvesting & Processing: Gather flowers & leaves in June, fruits in
September-October
Active Constituents: Oligomeric procyanidins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins,
amines.
Actions: Heart tonic, moderates blood pressure, antioxidant, and
collagen stabilizing. Reduces inflammation, regulates heart beat, reduces
spasm, dilates peripheral blood vessels, especially coronary arteries, and
restores normal heart function.
Indications: Hawthorne is a good, safe heart and circulation tonic. It helps strengthen heart function
and maintain normal blood pressure.
It is strengthening to all blood vessels. It can safely be used for mild
hypertension, angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, irregular heart
beat, intermittent claudication (pain in calf muscles on walking). It helps prevent degeneration of
arteries due to atherosclerosis.
Dosages: Three times a day
Tea: 1.5 - 3.5g dried flower, leaf or
berry per day. Infusion (flowers, leaves) – 10-15 minutes. Decoction (berries) - simmer 20
minutes
Tablets - 400-500mg 3 times a day
Tincture: 1:5, 45%.
Dose 2-10ml (1/2 – 2 tsps.), 3 times a day.
A home tincture can be made by dropping the berries in brandy
and letting it sit for several weeks.
Contraindications: None
References: Grieve – A Modern Herbal, Bartram
– Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
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