Weeds & Seeds Swap

The botanical name for this spiny bush, shrub, or small tree is Cratageus oxyancanthoides. Though it is native to the Mediterranean, it is cultivated worldwide. Wildlife enjoy it as a safe place to take cover, and as a food source. The bush flowers in the spring, and the berries are ready to harvest in early fall. They are used to make jams and jellies, and for medicinal purposes. If allowed to grow, a tree can reach up to 24″ tall.Back in Greek and Roman times, the herb was used decoratively for wedding bouquets, and the suspicious Romans used it in baby beds to keep away evil. Some records state that upon Christ’s death on the Cross, the herb became associated with death, as supposedly the thorns made up his crown of thorns, though He did have a crown of thorns placed on his head, I am not sure what type of plant it was from. It was the English herbalist from the 17th century, Nichlolas Culpeper who suggested the herb be used for kidney stones and congestive heart failure.Studies validate some of the benefits of Hawthorn to the heart and circulatory system. (I am realizing as I type this that in a day or so it will be February, a month that focuses on Heart health awareness.)

Scientific Info:

Hawthorn berry actives include Procyanidolic oligomers, or PCOs, which collectively refer to proanthocyanidins. These are plant bioflavanoids which, because of their chemical structure they are easily absorbed by cell membrane, and because of this, the protective properties are easily absorbed by our bodies down to the cellular level.

The term Proanthocyanidins as well as ORAC is quite popular with the many health drinks out there touting the benefits which include:

• Trapping free radicals and lipid peroxides
• Delaying the onset of lipid peroxidation
• Inhibiting free radical production by the enzyme xanthine
• Inhibiting the damaging affects of enzymes that destroy connective tissue

These protective properties in Hawthorn berries are particularly beneficial to the tissues of the circulatory system and protect against heart disease. Some of the benefits to the heart attributed to the herb include:

Stimulating peripheral vasodilation which lowers blood pressure and stress on the heart and increasing the flow of blog to the extremities.

• After the above, there is a mild dilation of the coronary vessels and then increased enzyme metabolism in cardiac muscle contractions
• Increase oxygen utilization by the heart
• It should be noted that in stressful conditions, the affect can be the opposite, please contact me if you would like me to send the specific studies.

Hawthorn berries are often suggested by herbalists for heart problems related to aging and degenerative conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, angina, and arrhythmia.

Cautions:

According to the book “Healing Herbs”, high doses of the herb can have a sedative affect, and are recommended for those with chronic insomnia, but amount taken should not exceed safe levels for cardiotonic effects.  And I will add that there are better herbs to use if you are dealing with insomnia.

If you would like a fact sheet about any of the items marked in red, please send me an email. Thanks!

As always, my Disclaimer applies to this, and all posts on this blog.