Hawthorn has a long history of use in traditional Western herbalism and is well-loved for its affinity for the heart. The red berries of Crataegus monogyna have been an ingredient in jams, wines, cordials, and candies for centuries. A member of the rose family, hawthorn is a large shrub covered in sharp thorns. Sometimes spelled "hawthorne", the berries are picked fully ripe in autumn before the first frost. Hawthorn berry is often macerated in herbal vinegar and syrups, infused as hawthorn tea, or used in tincturing.
Hawthorn leaf, flower, and berry have been praised over the centuries for their heart elevating properties. Believed to uplift and strengthen both the physical and emotional heart, hawthorn, as it supports healthy cardiovascular function, was also revered for ceremonial and spiritual purposes. The flavorful red berries have been used in candies, jams, jellies, wines, and cordials and are widely available in many forms as dietary supplements.
Hawthorn is considered a superior heart tonic by many herbalists. However, its effects on the heart are manifold. Many consider hawthorn to be transformational for the emotional or spiritual heart as well. Herbalist Matthew Becker suggests that hawthorn is specifically helpful for women with "broken hearts" i.e. for those "feeling wounded and hurt." Often the flowers and leaves are made into floral essences to address these types of emotional issues. Hawthorn is considered slightly warm energetically and both sour and sweet in taste.
