Botanical name: Crataegus oxyacantha
Hawthorn berry is widely grown as a thorny hedge plant commonly found in Europe, western Asia, North America and North Africa.
Some of the common names are Whitethorn, Hagthorn, Bread and Cheese Tree, Thorn-apple Tree, Hagedorn (German), May Tree, Mayflower, May Bush and Mayblossom. The May names come from Hawthorn blooming in May, the name Whitethorn comes from the whiteness of its bark and Haegthorn refers to its use as a hedging plant. Bread and Cheese Tree refers to the young leaves and leaf buds, they have a sweet nutty flavour and can be added to salads. The word Haw comes from Old English and means hedge.
Hawthorn berry has a long history of traditional use as a heart tonic. The Greek herbalist, Dioscorides, used Hawthorn in the first century A.D. There are towns in Europe with Hawthorn hedges that have been there for hundreds of years. The thorny hedges can live many years, and grow in the harshest places. The wood is especially hard and make a very hot firewood. Hawthorn hedges are said to be the haunt of faeries. There is a tradition that the Crown of Thorns was made of Hawthorn.
Extracts from Hawthorn flowers, leaves and berries are widely considered by herbalists to be the world's best heart tonic. Hawthorn extracts take some time to take effect and are best-used long term. Hawthorn extracts are known to be gentle-acting, and extremely safe for long-term use. It is excellent for those on a low cholesterol diet.
If you are taking heart medications it is most important that you consult with your doctor before using products that contain Hawthorn. Never try to treat heart diseases yourself, always work with your Doctor.
