Hawthorn

(Crataequs monogyna Jacq. and Cralaegus laevigata (Poir.)
DC., [ =C. oxyacantha L. nom. ambig.]Rosaceae)

Also Called: May, May tree, May bush, Whitethorn, Thorn apple tree.

Description: Shrub or small tree of medium height. Branches bearing sharp spines up to 1.5cm (0.6in) long. Leaves shortly stalked, more or less deeply lobed (those of C. munogyna are more deeply incised). Flowers, appearing in May and June, 1-1.5 cm (0.4-0.6in) in size with 5 white petals and 2-3 whitish-green styles (one style in C. monogyna). Fruits ovoid, 8-12 mm (0.3-0•5in) in diameter, bright red (rarely yellow or whitish).

Parts Used: Fruits, fresh or dried; flowers, fresh or dried; dried leaves are rarely used and are less efficacious.

Habitat and Collection: Found in Europe, north Africa, Asia, North America.
The two species are found in copses, hedges, open deciduous woods and in rocky areas, often planted as a hedge. Widespread throughout Europe, abundant in Britain.

Constituents: Not well known: tlavone glycosides, catechins.

Medicinal Uses: Angina, coronary insufficiency, early stages of congestive heart failure.
Hawthorn improves the blood flow in the coronary arteries and improves the general condition of the patient with heart irregularity. The effect is observed only after a prolonged course of treatment.

Hawthorn is used in heart conditions of nervous origin when it acts as a general sedative, also for hypertension and for discomforts of menopause.

Preliminary experiments in China have shown that preparations of hawthorn berries may help prevent and treat hardening of the arteries.

Hawthorn has no action on organic diseases of the heart.

Forms available: Teas, capsules, tinctures, extracts. European products are standardised to oligometric procyanidins and flavonoids.

Usage: Mainly in form of tincture prepared from the fruits and flowers (10-30 drops in half a tumbler of water 3 times a day). The tisane is less efficacious.

Caution: May interact with digitalis.