Hawthorn was used traditionally for diarrhoea, heavy menstrual bleeding and in first aid to draw splinters. Over the past few years, the plant’s affinity to the heart has been identified.

The flowers are widely used as a heart tonic as it appears they improve coronary circulation, reducing angina and helping to regulate blood pressure. The bark contains the alkaloid crataegin, which is bitter in taste. The parts used for their medicinal properties are the berries and flowering tops. Both flowers and berries are astringents and useful in decoction to cure sore throats.

The species are commonly used are C. oxycantha and C. mongyna

Flavonoids glycosides, procyanidins, saponins, tannins, minerals

It can relax peripheral blood vessels, astringent, cardiac tonic

Flowering tops

Infusion It is traditionally used to improve poor circulation and as a tonic for heart problems. It can be combined with yarrow for high blood pressure.

Tincture Prescribed with other cardiac herbs, it can be used for angina, high blood pressure

Berries c oxycanthia/c monogyna

Decoction Use 30g of berries to 500ml of water and decoct for 15minutes. This is tradtionally used for diarrhoea and high blood pressure.

Juice The juice from the berries can be used as a cardiac tonic, also for poor digestion