Hawthorn; Bringing Balance and Support to a Sensitive Heart
Hawthorn (Crataegus Oxyacantha) was a surprise herb I worked personally with this year.
I was not immediately drawn to this plant. Well, tree really. But, I now have a deep appreciation for its energetics and what to brings to not only me, but others I’ve given it to.
As I’m writing this, I’m saying to myself, “This herb really isn’t he most exciting or interesting to write about” yet, it’s such a soft and gentle support for our hearts; like feeling a friends soft touch on your back providing the unasked support you need.
It also brings a gentle balance between excitation and relaxation, tonifying the heart and blood vessels while helping in the relaxation response when over stressed.
Hawthorn is a large shrub or deciduous tree with branches that are armored with large thorns. (Although it is now being cultivated without thorns, which have been used in the pacific northwest by native tribes for puncturing boils and making fish hooks out of.
It is native to America, Northern Africa, Central Asia, and all of Europe. The leaves are serrated and medium to dark green colored. Fragrant flowers are small, pinkish-white, and bloom in thick clusters. Berries are red to blue-black in color and have large seeds.
Traditionally, Hawthorn wasn’t even known about in Western Herbalism until the late 1800’s! Being mainly used in Arab countries.
The berries (and also the leaves and flowers) have been used as a cardiotonic in all cultures, though for different reasons.
It is considered generally safe, as there are no known physiological side effects, but please consult with your doctor or health care practitioner if you are on medications for heart problems or have advanced cardiovascular disease before taking Hawthorne.
The whole plant. contains saponins, tannins, flavonoids (rutin in particular), proanthocyanidins (an antioxidant) and numerous acids which are good for the heart and blood vessels.
The leaves, and flowers are a very very very gentle as a cardiotonic and the cardiovascular system as a whole.
Hawthorn Berries are highest in rutin and considered the best for the medicinal qualities of this plant. They carry the sweet sour and astringent flavors. They help to remove congestion associated with the heart thereby lessening restlessness, anxiety, and irritability.
Making me think, in this moment, that perhaps this may also be a good remedy when we are convalescing form a cold or illness, to keep us strong and toned in body and mind…
With its sweet, sour, and astringent tastes, Hawthorn shows us it’s affinity for toning lax tissues, reducing congestion and heat in the capillaries, making them more efficient, by nourishing the heart and opening the blood vessels all the way from the head to the toes.
The sweet taste is also good for Kapha type constitutions. (as they really tend to like the sweet flavor) As t is cooling, it may aggravate cold constitutions, which is interesting because Kapha is considered cold, so this is an antipathetic remedy.
Look at the photo below with just the berries on the tree. See how the branches actually look like arteries with capillaries branching out from them?? Such a great doctrine of signatures only seen when their are no leaves on the plant.
Generally Hawthorn is used as tincture, a tea, or even as an infused honey or jelly.
Esoteric Significance/ Fun Tidbits about Hawthorn (Crataegus Oxyacantha)
Ruling Planet: Sun
The sun is expressive, dynamic, outgoing, and active in its nature. It’s a reflection of our will power, individuality, and spirit; our light that shines forth in this world.
Ruling elements:
Earth = Cold Depression Energetics
When the sun is deficient, it’s as if the fire has dimmed, and water and earth are settling in to have us, and our bodies, slow down and stagnate creating dampness and allowing illness to settle in just a bit deeper. This is why it may be too cooling for those with cold constitutions.
Ruling Principle: (What it is here to teach us.)
Esoterically, the sun is the truth that is revealed arises from the heart and instills in us a vision for our life. If we are not in alignment with our vision in our true essence, the sun will purify all that is not necessary or in resonance with this essential nature.
*** This is where I see a lot of women over 40/45 starting to have anxiety about. what do we need to do in this lifetime for ourselves? If we aren’t following a dream - even one like learning to play the ukulele - we become stagnant, irritable, and eventually angry.
In conclusion:
Bringing a gentle balance between excitation and relaxation, tonifying the heart and blood vessels helping in the relaxation response when over stressed, hawthorn leaf, flower, and berries are good for excitation, atrophy (lax tissues) and relaxation to the Nervous System, particularly being known to regulate the vagus nerve
With all the daily stressors that aren’t normal for our human bodies, Hawthorn is a great herb to nourish the physical heart as well as nurture our spiritual and emotional heart when we feel tender and open.
I’ve found the to be true for myself, and others whether using it in a formula combination or on it’s own.