Effect:
strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure, strengthens the nerves, strengthens the circulation, promotes blood circulation, antispasmodics, vasodilating, stimulating the circulation, anti-inflammatory, astringent
Areas of application:
strengthens the heart and the nerves, improves blood flow to the heart muscle, hardening of the arteries, in cases of sluggish stools, obesity, heart dilatation, palpitations, states of exhaustion, depression, insomnia, menopausal symptoms, indigestion, high blood pressure, promotes blood flow to the coronary arteries, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, heart problems, high Cholesterol levels, angina, atherosclerosis, strengthens the immune system, constipation, bloating, cramps, intestinal infections, parasites, eczema, psoriasis, swelling, redness, itching, sores, fever, malaria
Plant parts used:
Flowers, fruits, leaves and bark
Collection time:
Flowers in May to June and
Berries in autumn
To find:
Sometimes it can still be found in deciduous and pine forests, on hedges and fences. Hawthorn is already an endangered shrub, so it is beneficial to plant it in the garden.
Ingredients:
Flavonoids, amines, procyanidins, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, essential oil, glycoside, bitter substance
Miscellaneous:
☕ Tea: 2 teaspoons of flowers or leaves and berries are poured into 1/4 liter of boiling water and left to steep for about 20 minutes. Drink 3 to 4 cups daily and sweeten with maple syrup, honey or sea buckthorn syrup.
The hawthorn is a deciduous shrub, rarely a small tree, which can reach a height of between 2 and 6 meters, rarely up to 12 meters. The white, red or pink flowers bloom in May. The numerous flowers are mostly white and have a diameter of less than 2.5 cm. The calyx has 5 lobes and 5 sepals. The small berries ripen to a bright, deep red or sometimes even black. The berries are edible and have a sweet and sour taste. The leaves are alternate, toothed and ovate, 5 to 7.5 cm long and may be lobed or sharply toothed. They are dark green with a bluish-green base and vary in size and shape. It has sharp thorns that can be up to 5 cm long.
🛑 Hawthorn is generally well tolerated, but can have side effects for some people. These include upset stomach, sweating, tiredness, nausea, dizziness or restlessness. Serious side effects include shortness of breath, allergic reactions, irregular heartbeat, and mood changes. A doctor should be consulted before taking hawthorn, especially if you are also taking medication.
In the kitchen, the fruits can be eaten raw or cooked, but they taste better in jam or jelly, or as a liqueur. The flowers can be preserved in vinegar and oil as buds. Young leaves, raw or cooked, enrich salads and wild vegetable dishes. At that time, they were also extracted in alcohol as a heart wine or almond aperitif because of their almond-like taste.
The leaves were smoked as a tobacco substitute and the seeds were roasted as a coffee substitute.
The hawthorn planted around the house scares away evil spirits, vampires and ghosts. The wood of the hawthorn bush is used for magic and is burned in smoke during protective rituals.
"The hawthorn, as every child knows, strengthens the heart and nerves very quickly."
Hawthorn is a plant that supplies calcium.
You can buy hawthorn in many preparations, or you can make a tea yourself and drink it as a cure over a longer period of time.
The flowers and leaves can be used in a steam bath and in creams. The flowers care for all hair and skin types and are even suitable for blonde hair.
It is ideal as a hedge plant and can be easily cut back. Its thorns provide good shelter for birds.