Hawthorn is a common hedgerow shrub/tree which often lines fields and paths in the UK. Many people can identify it, but less of us know how healing it may be. Hawthorn has been found to be a heart and circulatory tonic, improving blood circulation around the body. It has also been linked to emotional support by calming and reducing anxiety.
The flowers (which blossom in spring), the leaves and berries (autumn) all have healing benefits and these can be used to simply make tinctures, syrups and berry leather.
'The great value of hawthorn is that, although is can have profound healing effects, it achieves these in a gentle and supportive way' Conway (2001)
Collecting and using hedgerow herbs/plants is becoming a lost art and discovering these plants again can be a lovely pastime.
http://shamanaflora.com/category/hawthorn/
Hawthorn Tincture Recipe (Julie Bruton-Seal)
The best tincture is made in 2 parts using the flowers and leaves in Spring and adding the berries in Autumn but can be done with either in isolation.
1. Gather the flowers and pack into a jar, covering with vodka.
2. Leave in jar for 1 month until leaves have lost colour and then strain and bottle.
for a mixed tincture...
3. In autumn but the berries in a blender with the hawthorn flower tincture and pour into wide mouthed jars.
4. Leave for 1 month then squeeze the liquid out using a jelly bag.
5. Bottle and label (this keeps for several years!)
(1 tsp a day as a general tonic, 1-3tsp or as advised for circulatory problems)
Notes: This is not intended as medical advise. Always check with your doctor before using any herb.
References:
Hedgerow Medicine: Harvest and make your own herbal remedies. Julie Bruton -Seal and Mathew Seal
Hawthorn Affects on Atherosclerosis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24126122
