"Berries?" I hear you say, and yes, we do use berries in herbalism. Look around you in this glorious autumn and spy rosehips, blackberries, sloes (from the blackthorn bush), raspberries, bilberries (find them on acid heathland), to name a few. Some, of course, are poisonous such as the Yew, Holly, Nightshade and yummy-looking Belladonna. All the edible purple berries have an abundance of nutrients which are antioxidant and particularly help to tone and strengthen the veins, arteries and tiny capillaries which 'join up' the venous system - the body's plumbing department! So gorge as much as you can on these wonderful fruits to help your circulation, avoid chilblains and help your heart through the winter months ahead.
In this topic I want to concentrate on Hawthorn berries. Hawthorn has been used since time before time - berries, leaves and especially the creamy white blossom, the first herald of spring.
The Latin name for Hawthorn is
Cretaegus oxyacanthoides
Family:- Rosaceae
Common name:- Hawthorn. Etymon:- From the Greek kratos, meaning
hardness (of the wood); oxus, meaning sharp, and akantha, meaning
thorn.
Folk names:- May; quickthorn; whitethorn; bread and cheese tree;
moonflower.
Berries - Pixie pears; cuckoo beads.
Habitat and Description:-
In England, it is most commonly found in hedges as it grows quickly (hence 'quickthorn'), but can be found in woods or growing singly in a field or garden.
It is usually found as a shrub or small tree, but can grow to 9m., with spreading twisted branches. It has thorns, and distinctive deeply-lobed leaves, with clusters of creamy white flowers - sometimes pinkish - with red anthers, appearing mid-May. The berries have a shiny, leathery, scarlet skin, a double-lobed stone and 'cheesy' textured flesh.
Folklore:- "Ne'er cast a clout 'till May be out"
is an old saying, meaning don't take your vest off until the May
blossom is out. It is a holy tree, said to have been amongst
the thorny plants in Christ's crown of thorns. Also, a hawthorn
was said to have sprung up where Joseph of Arimathea left his
staff on his visit to Glastonbury when he brought the Holy Grail
there. Every year a twig from the holy tree is presented to the
Queen on her Christmas table! It has a reputation of being unlucky
if brought into
the house.
Parts used:- Berries, flowers and leaves
Constituents:- Amyddalin; flavanoid glycosides; catechins; saponins; vit. C; tannin; procyanidines; trimethylamine (in the young flowers).
Actions:- Cardiac tonic, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure) , adaptogenic, vasodilator, astringent, anti-spasmodic, diuretic.
Application:- Circulatory System - the berries act as a normalising agent on the heart by either stimulating or depressing its activity, depending on the need. This is its 'adaptogenic' virtue. An overfast heartrate is slowed and irregularities, such as arrhythmias, are settled down. It is a tonic to the circulatory system and is best used as a long term treatment as its main action is cumulative and gentle - toning and opening the arteries, thus improving blood supply and softening deposits to all tissues of the body. It should be considered, by practitioners, in cases of hypertension, heart failure and weakness, palpitations, arteriosclerosis and angina pectoris, but only after careful analysis of the case in question. Care should especially be taken if the patient is already taking allopathic digitalis drugs. Crataegus is also used for problems such as Raynaud's Disease, where it is best used in combination with other synergetic herbs. Do not self-medicate if you have a heart problem or are taking drugs for high or low blood pressure.
For home use - Collect the flowers on a dry day and spread them on trays which are covered in muslin or net curtains. Put in a warm, dry place and turn them every other day. You can put them in a low oven, but don't let them brown. When crisp and thoroughly dry, store in glass jars in a dark cupboard.
Take as tea - 1-2 teaspoons to a mug of boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes, strain and drink. Goes particularly well with lime flowers and add mint leaves or strips of ginger root, to add flavour.
Berries - Collect and dry them as above, or use fresh. Mash as much as possible and make a tea - 1-2 teaspoons to a mug.
Have a soothing and heartening time.
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