Health Benefits of Hawthorn

Scientific name: Crataegus monogyna aka Crataegus oxyacantha
Other names: Hawthorn, common hawthorn or single-seeded hawthorn, may, mayblossom
Part used: Leaves and flower

Origins & Properties

Hawthorn is a deciduous shrub or a small tree growing up to a height of 8 meters. The leaves are pale green with shallow, forward-pointing lobes on each side of the leaf.

Tiny white flower buds open from May to June, revealing flowers with five white petals surrounding stamens with bright pink heads. Fruit is small, dark red, and apple-like.

Common Uses

Hawthorn is used for diseases of the heart and blood vessels such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chest pain, and irregular heartbeat.

It is also used to treat both low blood pressure and high blood pressure, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), and high cholesterol.

So far, research suggests that hawthorn might be effective in treating congestive heart failure, but there hasn’t been enough research on other heart-related uses to know if it is effective for them.

Benefits

Improve heart function: Decreases the diastolic blood pressure and the risk of heart disease
Antioxidant: Neutralizes free radicals and reduces skin damage
Improve digestive system: Controls constipation & bloating, boosts bowel movement
Boost metabolism: Boosts metabolism and helps your body burn more calories while working out
Improve vision: Contains Vitamin A that provides healthier vision and prevents cataract growth; Treats skin infections