Hawthorn                        

Enhances Cardiovascular Health and Reduces Anxiety

Latin Name: Crataegu spp.

Culture:  Hawthorn is a deciduous shrub or  medium sized columnar tree.  Hawthorn shrubs are often pruned as hedges.  Pruning is required to keep the tree form by removing lower sprouting branches.  As a tree, Hawthorn can grow 20 ft tall.  It has thorny branches, white or pink flower clusters, and orange or red berries.  It is a beautiful landscape species.  Mine has beautiful clusters of pink flowers in spring.  The berries ripen to a red and hang on the tree through winter.  They look like miniature bulbs on bare branches and give winter interest to the landscape.  The berries are a source of food for birds through winter.  You harvest the berries in the late fall or early winter.  Hawthorn grows well in my area, Utah; however they will need protection from deer.

Prune when dormant.  Fertilize with a dry organic blend and mulch around  the tree in spring.  Ferilizing needs are low so don’t feel you need to do so every year.

The apple like fruits are called “haws”.  Hawthorn is in the rose family.  Similar to rose hips there is a seed wrapped in a fiberous coating.  They are edible with a tart, acidic flavor.  They can be used in jellies, jams, wines, and syrups. 

The flowers are fragrant and attract pollinators like bees an butterflies.  They can thrive in a wide range of soil types and are hardy in zones 3-9.  The flowers are perfect meaning they have both male and female parts.  

Not only are Hawthorns a great option in the landscape, they have a history of medicinal and herbal use.  They are associated with cardiovascular health and have been used in many cultures throughout history. 

Medicinal Properties:

The berries, leaves, and flowers are all used for medicinal purposes most commonly for cardio health, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.  Hawthorn needs to be taken on a regular basis for best results. As with all herbs you should do your own research before using. 

Hawthorn berries are an abundant source of antioxidants and anti cancer phenolic compounds which protect against free radical damage.

Hawthorn is generally safe when used as directed. 

A hawthorn tincture is generally made with leaves, flowers, and fruits.  The leaves and flowers are harvested in the early spring and steeped in alcohol.  The fruits are then harvested late in the fall or early winter.   They can be cooked into a syrup with honey and water. 

The strained hawthorn/honey syrup is then preserved with the strained hawthorn flower tincture.  That gives you the benefits of the whole plant. (Ancient Remedies Revived)

Here is a link to make Hawthorn tincture and syrup. do your own research and discuss with your doctor.

 

https://joybileefarm.com/hawthorn-syrup-heart-tonic/?customize_changeset_uuid=

Hawthorn Jelly

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 to 2 lbs hawthorn berries
• 2-3 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

• Simmer the Hawthorns in water for roughly 30 minutes until they've completely disintegrated. Use a potato masher.

• Strain the mixture through a jelly bag. For every 2 cups of juice, add 2 cups of sugar and 1/4 cup of lemon juice.  It takes roughly 1.5 to 2 pounds of haws to yield 2 cups of juice.

• Return the strained hawthorn juice, sugar and lemon juice to the stove and boil rapidly for 10-15 minutes until it reaches gel stage

• Pour the jelly into prepared canning jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace.  Process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes adjusting for altitude  or store in the refrigerator for immediate use.   
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