Hawthorn |
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| Common Name | Hawthorn |
| Scientific Name | Crataegus species |
| Hawthorn's other names include Mayblossom and Thornapple. A symbol of hope, the hawthorn shrub or tree is considered sacred by some, and it is believed to have formed Christ's crown of thorns. The botanical name comes from the Greek word kratos, which means "strong," and was given because of the hardness of hawthorn wood. The Pilgrims' ship Mayflower was named for this herb. Hawthorn has always been especially regarded as a heart tonic, and its value is now under medical investigation, particularly in regard to its old reputation as a reliever of angina pectoris and abnormal heart action. Hawthorn has also been considered an artery softener, helpful in treating arteriosclerosis. Early American settlers used the tea to relieve kidney ailments and nervous conditions, including insomnia, giddiness, and stress. | |
| Plant | Perennial. It grows as either a shrub or small tree. Its sharp 1- to 5-inch thorns have made it a favorite hedgerow in England and Europe; the flowers and fruit must be harvested with care because of them. The trunk or stems are spiny, with hard, smooth, ash-gray bark. The small, dark green leaves are light bluish-green on the underside and have three irregularly toothed lobes. White flowers with round petals appear in clusters during May and June. The egg-shaped berry, or haw, that follows is a two-or three-seeded pome (the hawthorn is a close relative of the apple), scarlet on the outside, yellowish and pulpy inside. |
| Height | 3 to 15 feet. |
| Soil | Any well-drained soil, with good lime content. |
| Exposure | Full or partial sun. |
| Propagation | Seed planted indoors in spring or in fall during the third lunar phase. Slow to germinate. Also stem cuttings. CARE: If you're growing hawthorn as a tree, remove suckers from the trunk and around the base. If you're growing it as a hedge, space plants 3 feet apart, and keep them trimmed. Prune after the hawthorn has flowered. The deciduous hawthorn requires little care, having a naturally dense growth. However, sometimes the tops become too dense, and an annual thinning will minimize the danger of the plant's being uprooted by wind. PART USED FOR TEA: Flowers, berries. TASTE: Flowers are sweet-scented and bland. The berries are tart and fruity (similar to a crab apple). |
| Care | |
| Part used for Tea | |
| Taste | |
| How to Brew | FLOWERS, BY INFUSION: Steep 2 teaspoons of herb in 1 cup of boiling water. FRUITS, BY DECOCTION: Use 2 teaspoons of crushed fruit with 1 cup cold water. Let stand for 7 or 8 hours, then bring quickly to a boil and strain. Sweeten both teas with honey. |
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