Hawthorn for the Heart

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Indexed  February 2, 2011

  Marke the faire blooming of the Hawthorne tree Who finely cloathed in a robe of white, Fills full the wanton eye with May’s delight. - Chaucer  Introduction Hawthorn ( Crataegus monogyna ) is the most well-known herb for the heart. This member of the rose family has white to brownish flowers, deeply lobed and rose-like leaves, brown woody stems, and yellowish-brown to wine-red fruit which is oval, wrinkled, and berry-like (actually a pome). Commonly used in teas, tinctures, and capsules to treat the heart, the legends surrounding Hawthorn trees go back centuries – especially in Europe and the British Isles.  Hawthorn has long been used as a food and medicine in Europe; particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where it ranks as one of the most popularly used botanical medicines, especially for treating declining heart function. Many clinical studies have been conducted on Hawthorn over the past 20 years with great promise.  History The most famous Hawthorn in Britain is the Holy Thorn of Glastonbury, which grows at Glastonbury Tor, the supposed resting place of King Arthur. According to legend, the tree was grown after Joseph of Arimathea, upon arriving at Glastonbury Tor, thrust his staff into the ground, and from this the tree grew. Although the original is no longer there, several of its supposed descendants still grow there. When it blooms during the winter, a sprig is traditionally sent to the Queen, who is said to decorate her breakfast table on Christmas morning.  Thomas the Rhymer, a 13th century mystic and poet, was said to have met the Fairy Queen underneath a Hawthorn tree.    See the complete post here