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Focus on Herbs: Hawthorne berriesby Lynne Latella Although heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in this country, hawthorn berry has barely received the attention it deserves for its role in promoting a healthy heart. Only recently has word spread about the benefits of this valuable herb, either alone or in combination with garlic and cayenne, as an effective heart tonic. In the same family as peach, rose, apple, strawberry and almond, it is also known as "may-blos-som." In fact, the ship Mayflower that brought the pilgrims to America bore a name that refers to the hawthorn tree. Although hawthorn has been in use since antiquity, it was not as a common medicinal preparation. It was linked to marriage, hope and fertility. Thus, Greek brides wore crowns of aromatic hawthorn blossoms and carried bouquets filled with hawthorn. Romans placed it in cradles to ward off evil spirits. Because Christ was thought to have worn a crown of hawthorn, its symbolism changed to that of death and bad luck. This negative image was compounded by the fact that several species of European hawthorn smell like rotting meat, which attracts pollinating insects. Thus, it became associated with the smell of death that accompanied bubonic plague. Fortunately, the bad press dropped away in the 17th century, when Culpepper praised hawthorn's ability to treat kidney stones and heart failure. Later, American pioneers also saw its benefits for heart ailments, and it went on to be used in the treatment of severe chest pains, shortness of breath, palpitations and fluid buildup. In Germany, where hawthorn is widely used as a heart remedy, it can be found in hundreds of preparations, including formulas for insomnia. As a heart stimulant, hawthorn helps to maximize the utilization of oxygen in the heart, dilate the coronary arteries and increase enzyme metabolism and pumping ability in the heart muscle. It helps with valve murmurs, enlarged hearts and beat regulation. It also normalizes high or low blood pressure, and can help prevent arteriosclerosis. It may help to eliminate cholesterol deposits, as well. It is important to realize that hawthorn berry is not a quick fix for heart-related problems. It is not recommended in every instance involving heart problems, and shouldn't be viewed as a panacea. Sound medical attention may be needed in some cases, with hawthorn berry being just a portion of the overall treatment plan. Hawthorn should not be used by children, nor by pregnant and nursing women. High doses may cause a significant drop in blood pressure. The Coop carries hawthorn in teas, capsules, formulas and tinctures, and also as whole berries, leaves and flowers in bulk. Happy Heart Tea Infuse 2 teaspoons of crushed hawthorn leaves or berries per cup of boiling water. Steep 20 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups per day. |
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