Hawthorn / Crataegus spp.

February is American Heart Month, and there’s no better herb to talk about for the heart than Hawthorn!

Hawthorn grows as a thorny, shrub-like tree with little red berries. It’s not generally seen in the south, as it is native to the northern hemispheres of North America, Europe, and Asia. In Western herbalism, it is known as one of the primary heart tonics. The leaf, flower, and berry of the Hawthorn tree are revered and utilized by ancient healing traditions across the globe.

Hawthorn berries are what we most commonly see in herbal preparations, either alone or in blends with other cardio tonics. It has many supportive actions for the body, the most significant being that it’s a superfood for the heart. Like all dark berries, Hawthorn is full of flavonoids–antioxidants that scavenge free radicals in the body to help reduce cellular oxidation and negative effects of inflammation.

Hawthorn can also be used to prevent blood vessel damage, regulate blood pressure, and improve overall circulation while strengthening the heart muscle itself. As a tonic, it is restorative to the tissues of the entire cardiovascular system. There have been extensive clinical studies out of Europe on Hawthorn, showing everything from lowering serum cholesterol, to support for congestive heart failure. If you or a family member have heart issues or a history of heart disease, it’s worth considering adding Hawthorn to your daily supplement regimen.

In addition to it being a powerhouse for the cardiovascular system, Hawthorn is also a wonderful tonic for the nervous system! It is calming and relaxing, and can be used throughout the day without making you feel tired or low in energy. Regular use can benefit the mood, and help smooth out the rough edges of an overactive nervous system. It works well with other herbs like Motherwort, Passionflower, and Cacao.

All Peoples Rx stores carry Hawthorn berry in a variety of preparations, from capsule of the berry alone to cardiovascular blends, and tincture blends for stress support. My favorite to suggest to customers is Gaia’s Hawthorn capsules or WishGarden’s Liquid Bliss tincture, which is a lovely blend to help nourish the nervous system. Stop in your favorite Peoples Rx location and chat with a Wellness Specialist to see how Hawthorn might benefit you!
 
Laurène Elliott-Deyris is an Herbalist and Wellness Specialist at Peoples Rx. She received her training at The Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine in Austin and is furthering her clinical studies with the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine program out of North Carolina.

 
 
Photo credit: Laurène Elliott-Deyris
**This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before use.**

If you have comments and/or questions about this blog, email us at blog@peoplesrx.com

In natural medicine, the words detoxify and detoxification have become as ubiquitous as the air we breathe. These terms are so commonly used nowadays that to many, they have lost some of their significance. One can easily read numerous articles encouraging us to detoxify our livers, detoxify to lose weight, detoxify to look better, feel great and much more. However, what exactly is detoxification and why is it not something that everyone should do? Read more →

Image courtesy of graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

With June serving as the official month for Men’s Health, it’s a good time for both men and women to evaluate cardiovascular health and strengthen the heart. As of 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that heart disease is the number one leading cause of death among all age groups in the US, more than half in men. Smoking, living a sedentary lifestyle, diets high in saturated fats and sodium, and diets low in fruits and vegetables can all contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, quitting smoking, getting adequate exercise and making a more conscious decision of what you eat are essential non-pharmacologic risk reducers. Read more →

Image courtesy of criminalatt / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

With warmer weather finally upon us, who can resist the urge to plant a little something this spring? If you have a small flowerbed, a sunny patio, or a kitchen window ledge, it’s fun to grow something to nourish your body and soul. Here are a few gardening tips from resident Nutritionist and Herbalist Dawn Welch! Read more →

As spring approaches, your interest may be piqued to see what nutritive, medicinal weeds might be sprouting around the neighborhood. It probably sounds pretty odd that this was my first reaction to spring, but as an herbalist who studied with the amazing Nicole Telkes of the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine here in Austin, TX, I know that healthful delights can be found almost anywhere! Read more →

Looking for a non-estrogen solution for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms? The active ingredient in Metagenics’ Estrovera has been in use in Europe for 20 years and in US since 2009. ERr 731™, a special extract of Siberian rhubarb, contains a phytoestrogen that has been clinically proven to reduce hot flashes from a median of 12 to 2 in just twelve weeks. It also helps other common symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, poor mood, sleep disturbance, feelings of mental and physical exhaustion, as well as urinary tract symptoms and vaginal dryness. Read more →