Hawthorn dried bulk herb
Hawthorn dried bulk herb
Note: Colorado has several species of hawthorn and I forage all of them, so you will find variation in berry color and size. They all serve the same.
Parts used: Leaf + flower + berry
per half oz
Botanical Name: Crataegus spp. (Common species include Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus oxyacantha)
Common Names: Mayblossom, May Tree, Thornapple, Whitethorn. Quickthorn, Bread and Cheese Tree
Herbal Energetics:
- Temperature: Cooling
- Moisture: Drying
Flavor:
- Leaf and Flower: Mildly bitter, slightly sweet
- Berry: Sweet, sour, slightly bitter
Herbal Actions:
- Cardioprotective
- Circulatory tonic
- Hypotensive (lowers blood pressure)
- Antioxidant
- Astringent
- Anti-inflammatory
- Nervine (calming to the nervous system)
- Antispasmodic
- Mild diuretic
Organ Affinities:
- Cardiovascular system
- Nervous system
Uses:
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Heart Health: Hawthorn is renowned for its ability to support the cardiovascular system. It strengthens the heart muscle, improves blood circulation, and helps regulate blood pressure. Hawthorn is often used as a long-term tonic to maintain overall heart health.
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Circulatory Support: Hawthorn improves blood flow and circulation, making it useful in conditions where poor circulation is an issue, such as varicose veins, cold hands and feet, and Raynaud’s disease.
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Antioxidant Protection: Hawthorn is rich in flavonoids and other antioxidants that help protect the heart and blood vessels from oxidative stress and damage. This makes it a valuable herb for preventing and managing cardiovascular disease.
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Nervous System Support: Hawthorn has mild nervine properties, making it useful for calming the nervous system and reducing anxiety and stress, particularly when these conditions are related to heart health.
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Digestive Health: The astringent properties of hawthorn make it helpful for toning and tightening tissues in the digestive system. It can be used for mild diarrhea, dyspepsia, and as a digestive tonic.
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Skin Health: Hawthorn’s astringent and anti-inflammatory properties can be used topically to treat minor wounds, cuts, and skin irritations.
Preparation and Dosage:
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Hawthorn Leaf and Flower:
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Infusion (Tea):
- Dosage: Steep 1–2 teaspoons of dried hawthorn leaves and flowers in a cup of boiling water for 10–15 minutes. Drink 2–3 cups daily for heart health, circulation support, or to calm the nervous system.
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Tincture:
- Dosage: 2–4 ml (about 40–80 drops) of a 1:5 tincture in alcohol, taken 2–3 times daily. Use for cardiovascular support, anxiety, or digestive health.
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Capsules:
- Dosage: 500–1000 mg of dried hawthorn leaf and flower, taken 2–3 times daily as a supplement for heart health.
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Infusion (Tea):
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Hawthorn Berry:
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Decoction:
- Dosage: Simmer 1–2 teaspoons of dried hawthorn berries in water for 15–20 minutes. Drink 1–2 cups daily for heart support and circulation.
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Tincture:
- Dosage: 2–4 ml (about 40–80 drops) of a 1:5 tincture in alcohol, taken 2–3 times daily. Use for cardiovascular support, blood pressure regulation, or antioxidant protection.
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Syrup:
- Dosage: Take 1–2 teaspoons of hawthorn berry syrup 1–2 times daily as a cardiovascular tonic.
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Capsules:
- Dosage: 500–1000 mg of dried hawthorn berries, taken 2–3 times daily as a supplement for heart and circulatory health.
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Decoction:
Contraindications:
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Low Blood Pressure:
- Hypotensive Effects: Hawthorn can lower blood pressure, so it should be used with caution in individuals with hypotension (low blood pressure). Monitor blood pressure closely if using hawthorn for cardiovascular support.
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Heart Medications:
- Potential Interactions: Hawthorn may interact with certain heart medications, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or medications used to treat high blood pressure. Consult a healthcare provider before use if taking these medications.
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Allergies:
- Potential for Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to hawthorn, particularly if they are sensitive to plants in the Rosaceae family (which includes apples, pears, and roses). Symptoms may include skin irritation, rash, or gastrointestinal upset.
Materia magica:
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Planetary Correspondence: Mars (associated with strength, protection, and courage) and Venus (linked to love, harmony, and beauty). This dual planetary connection reflects hawthorn’s ability to protect the heart while also opening it to love and emotional healing.
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Deities: Hawthorn is often associated with deities of love, protection, and the underworld, such as:
- Flora: The Roman goddess of flowers and spring, representing hawthorn’s connection to renewal and growth.
- Aphrodite: The Greek goddess of love and beauty, symbolizing hawthorn’s association with the heart and emotional healing.
- Hecate: The Greek goddess of the underworld and magic, linked to hawthorn’s protective and boundary-setting properties.
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Magical Uses:
- Protection: Hawthorn is a powerful protective herb, often used in magic to create boundaries and ward off evil spirits or negative energies. It can be planted around the home, carried as a talisman, or used in protective charms.
- Heart Healing: Hawthorn is associated with emotional healing and is used in spells and rituals to mend a broken heart, open the heart to love, or foster emotional resilience. It can be added to love spells, carried as a charm, or used in baths to promote self-love and emotional well-being.
- Love & Marriage: Hawthorn is often used in marriage rituals and ceremonies to symbolize love, fidelity, and the strengthening of relationships. It can be incorporated into wedding bouquets, garlands, or placed on altars during marriage ceremonies.
- Fertility & Abundance: Hawthorn’s connection to spring and renewal makes it a symbol of fertility and abundance. It can be used in fertility spells or to attract prosperity and growth.
- Spirit Communication: Hawthorn is sometimes used in rituals to communicate with the spirit world or to honor ancestors. It can be burned as incense or used in offerings during Samhain or other ancestor-focused ceremonies.
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Rituals:
- Protection Charms: Create a charm bag with dried hawthorn leaves, flowers, and berries, and carry it to protect against negative energies or harmful influences.
- Love Spells: Use hawthorn flowers or berries in love spells or rituals to attract love, strengthen relationships, or heal a broken heart.
- Boundary-Setting Rituals: Plant hawthorn around your property or use it in rituals to establish clear boundaries and protect your space from negative energies.
- Healing Baths: Add dried hawthorn leaves and flowers to a bath to promote emotional healing, open the heart, and foster self-love.