Traditional uses of hawthorn
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Traditional uses of hawthorn
Hawthorn is a folklore-rich tree that has been traditionally used for treating the heart and cardiovascular system. They can grow up to 15 meters tall, live for up to 700 years and can be found growing in woodlands and hedgerows.
- Common name: Hawthorn
- Latin name: Crataegus spp
- Family: Rosaceae
Parts used
- Flowers, leaves and berries
Constituents
- Saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, procyanidins, triterpenoids, tannins, pectin, vitamin C, B1, B2 and choline, acetylcholine and calcium
Actions
- Anti-oxidant, hypotensive, vasodilator, circulatory stimulant, cardiotonic, nutritive, adaptogen, nervine, anti-spasmodic and digestive
Medicinal uses of hawthorn
Traditional uses of hawthorn include:
- Blood pressure – strengthens heart muscle and regulates cardiac rhythm, helping to improve cardiac fuction and regulate blood pressure.
- Cholesterol – helps to reduce the build up of cholesterol within blood vesels and reduce vascular inflammation, which helps to prevent blood clots.
- Raynaud’s disease – as a vasodilator and circulatory stimulant, it helps to reduce peripheral vasospasm in Raynaud’s disease and intermittent claudication
- Emotional – hawthorn has traditionally been used as an emotional support during stress and heartache
Cautions
- Hawthorn should be used with caution alongside cardiovascular medicines such as digoxin and betablockers
Related links
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