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.
The flavorful red berries have been used in candies, jams, jellies, wines, and cordials and are widely available in many forms as dietary supplements.
