The Monthly Herb - Hawthorn
Hawthorn is in the rose family – Rosaceae.
Crataegus monogyna (common hawthorn) can be hard to distinguish from Crataegus laevigata (midland hawthorn), the former has more deeply defined leaf shape. The two can also form hybrids together. This post will focus on common hawthorn, they have similar properties and uses but also some variance. They both grow plentifully in Europe and throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Hawthorn is sometimes a round, small tree or shrub with sharp thorns. The leaves are dark green, deeply lobed with a paler underside.
Hawthorn flowers in late springtime, hence the folk name Mayblossom. The flowers are white (though in some cases pink) with five petals, as is characteristic of Rosaceae. It goes to fruit in Autumn. You may see bountiful bright red berries if you look for them between September and November. The leaves, flowers and berries are used in herbal medicine.
Hawthorn is a most abundant hedgerow in the United Kingdom, dating back to land Enclosure acts in the 18th and 19th century when millions of hawthorn bushes were planted. During this period much of Britain’s common lands were divided up, privatised and lost to the wealthy. In contrast to this tragic history of class war and loss of wilderness, there is some silver lining in that hawthorn and other land partitioning hedgerows are vital habitats for much of our wildlife today.
There is a wealth of mythology and folklore surrounding hawthorn. In Ireland stories about being stolen away to faery land, often include a hawthorn tree as the place that the fae folk are first encountered. Welsh folklore has tales about Merlin being trapped inside a hawthorn tree by the witch Nimue who tricked him into spilling all his secrets and spells. The Welsh goddess Olwen was said to have walked across an empty universe leaving a white trail of hawthorn petals that became the Milky Way. Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea came to Glastonbury with the Holy Grail and pushed his walking staff into the ground and up grew the Holy Thorn, a hawthorn tree on Wearyall Hill. The original Holy Thorn has been vandalised and cut down many times but among the remaining hawthorns in Glastonbury, some are said to have come from cuttings of this sacred tree.
Hawthorn berries are rich in antioxidants, which are good for menstrual health and they have a long traditional use as a heart tonic. Recognised by many studies for benefits to the cardiovascular system, they have been proven to reduce angina attacks and lower both cholesterol and blood pressure.
Hawthorn can stimulate or relax the heart depending on what is required, this medicinal action is known as amphoteric. It is also traditionally used to heal the emotional heart, and can be prescribed or used in times of heartache, stress and anxiety.
Hawthorn is safe to take in conjunction with most heart medication. It is always best to check with your healthcare practitioner when introducing a herbal medicine if you are on any medication or have any conditions.
The active constitiuents in hawthorn include quercertin, vitexin, rutin, OPCs, and triterpine and phenolic acids. Oftentimes, the full spectrum of constituents found in plants are more beneficial than when isolated, as active constituents often work in combination.
Not recommended for use in pregnancy, whilst breastfeeding or for babies and children as not enough research has been done in these areas to verify safety.
When picking, beware of the thorns, pick slowly and with attention to avoid getting spiked.
Tea infusions can be made from the flowers, leaves and berries.
Hawthorn and apple jelly is a popular use for the berries. A tincture or an oxymel can be made from the berries. The berries can be eaten raw, the taste is a little tangy and sweet but mostly bland, best to spit out the seeds if you are eating in any great quantity as they contain cyanide.
Footnote: please beware that poisonous Cotoneaster berries look similar to Hawthorn berries although the leaves are very different and should help you to ensure you do not have the wrong plant. I recommend familiarising yourself with the differences so that you can confidently pick the right thing.
Caroline Rosalie Brouard