Hawthorn
Latin: Crataegus
Family: Rosaceae
Family: Rosaceae
In Lemuria, the plant was often used as a symbol; the fruit or berry was used as a decoration or gift and a way of sharing. This is because the energy of the heart was always seen as a pulsation that could be felt by the individuals involved. There is a certain kinship with quartz crystals in the current time because of this. In Atlantis, one gave Hawthorne to a friend just as one might today give someone a quartz crystal. Love was imbued deeply by the Lemurians into this plant. The devic order was gradually affected by this. This was not the more conscious direction of energy, but one that developed alongside the Lemurian civilization. This is why the energy of Hawthorne even today is relatively subtle, yet it may have a powerful effect with certain individuals very attuned to Lemuria. The karmic lesson here is to again allow this energy into the earth, if people wish to choose it. (Gurudas, The Spiritual Properties of Herbs)
Hawthorn is medicine for the heart on all levels. Indigenous to countries across the northern hemisphere, this small thorny tree has a long-recorded history of medicinal use in both Europe and China, as well as in North America. Poetically – and significantly – Hawthorn is a member of the Rose family.
Hawthorn’s place as heart medicine was noted by Greek physician, Dioscorides, in the first Century AD. Medical herbal research has validated this use, finding hawthorn to be effective for increasing the strength of heart contractions, increasing blood flow to the heart, decreasing blood lipids (ie decreasing bad cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides) and modulating blood pressure (AltMedReview, 2010). A Cochrane review of trials on hawthorn for chronic or congestive heart failure found that Crataegus extract decreased fatigue and shortness of breath and improved exercise tolerance relative to placebo. And while the traditional context is different, the Traditional Chinese Medicine use of Hawthorne for fat or rich meal digestion highlights the ability of Haw/berry antioxidants to prevent cholesterol deposits from oxidizing.
Additionally, hawthorn is used in the form of an energy medicine for the heart.
As a flower essence, Hawthorn helps open the heart to giving and receiving love, and can help in healing heartache. It encourages self-love and self-acceptance. As with many heart-acting energy remedies, hawthorn helps us to develop courage. The very etymology of the word courage draws our attention to the heart: Cor is Latin for heart. And courage is truly an open-hearted state.
Hawthorne flower essence is further indicated for helping someone come into their strength and power. (Mahalia Freed, ND)
Hawthorn’s place as heart medicine was noted by Greek physician, Dioscorides, in the first Century AD. Medical herbal research has validated this use, finding hawthorn to be effective for increasing the strength of heart contractions, increasing blood flow to the heart, decreasing blood lipids (ie decreasing bad cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides) and modulating blood pressure (AltMedReview, 2010). A Cochrane review of trials on hawthorn for chronic or congestive heart failure found that Crataegus extract decreased fatigue and shortness of breath and improved exercise tolerance relative to placebo. And while the traditional context is different, the Traditional Chinese Medicine use of Hawthorne for fat or rich meal digestion highlights the ability of Haw/berry antioxidants to prevent cholesterol deposits from oxidizing.
Additionally, hawthorn is used in the form of an energy medicine for the heart.
As a flower essence, Hawthorn helps open the heart to giving and receiving love, and can help in healing heartache. It encourages self-love and self-acceptance. As with many heart-acting energy remedies, hawthorn helps us to develop courage. The very etymology of the word courage draws our attention to the heart: Cor is Latin for heart. And courage is truly an open-hearted state.
Hawthorne flower essence is further indicated for helping someone come into their strength and power. (Mahalia Freed, ND)
Properties & Actions
Cardiotonic, diuretic, astringent, hypotensive/blood pressure normalizing, antioxidant (rich in bioflavonoids and proanthocyanidins, protects myocardium against oxidative damage, prevents oxidized cholesterol from accumulating in vessel walls)
Uses & Indications
A tonic in the true sense, Crataegus can be considered a specific remedy for most cardiovascular disease. A whole plant preparation should be used, as the individual effects of isolated constituents proved insignificant when tested in the laboratory. The whole plant, on the other hand, has unique and valuable properties. After a four-year study commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Health, Crataegus gained recognition as a heart remedy in Europe.
Hawthorn's primary attribute appears to be an ability to improve coronary circulation. It dilates the coronary arteries, relieving cardiac hypoxemia. Consequently, it reduces the likelihood of angina attacks and relieves symptoms of angina when they occur. The herb thus directly affects the cells of the cardiac muscle, enhancing both activity and nutrition.
Crataegus is also positively inotropic; that is, it increases the contractility of cardiac muscle. However, it is quite different in activity from the cardiac glycoside-containing remedies. They impact the contractile fibers, while Crataegus assists with the availability and utilization of energy, facilitating a gentle but sustained reversal of degenerative, age-related changes.
Used in conjunction with other cardiac herbs, Crataegus helps keep the heart in healthy condition, minimizing the risk of the development of coronary disease. It is indicated for cardiovascular degenerative disease, coronary artery disease, and associated conditions, including angina pectoris, mild congestive heart failure, essential hypertension, and recovery after myocardial infarction. It is especially beneficial for loss of function due to old age that has not yet resulted in overt pathology. It causes no toxicity, accumulation, or habituation, and is safe for long-term use in the elderly. (David Hoffman, Principles and Practices of Phytotherapy)
Hawthorn's primary attribute appears to be an ability to improve coronary circulation. It dilates the coronary arteries, relieving cardiac hypoxemia. Consequently, it reduces the likelihood of angina attacks and relieves symptoms of angina when they occur. The herb thus directly affects the cells of the cardiac muscle, enhancing both activity and nutrition.
Crataegus is also positively inotropic; that is, it increases the contractility of cardiac muscle. However, it is quite different in activity from the cardiac glycoside-containing remedies. They impact the contractile fibers, while Crataegus assists with the availability and utilization of energy, facilitating a gentle but sustained reversal of degenerative, age-related changes.
Used in conjunction with other cardiac herbs, Crataegus helps keep the heart in healthy condition, minimizing the risk of the development of coronary disease. It is indicated for cardiovascular degenerative disease, coronary artery disease, and associated conditions, including angina pectoris, mild congestive heart failure, essential hypertension, and recovery after myocardial infarction. It is especially beneficial for loss of function due to old age that has not yet resulted in overt pathology. It causes no toxicity, accumulation, or habituation, and is safe for long-term use in the elderly. (David Hoffman, Principles and Practices of Phytotherapy)
From the Apothecary
Spiritual Properties
Its ability to create greater attunement to the choices in life is one of its important spiritual characteristics. And it has the ability to assist individuals in understanding how they manifest God in their lives. The way a person manifests their own particular vision of God is unique to each individual. The way some of these properties are transferred naturally leads to a great focus of energy on the heart center. What occurs as a result of this is that an energy is formed in the heart that can be quite warming and remains long after the herb has been used or has fulfilled its function of aiding the blood or the heart. These energies surround mankind. The etheric signature of the plant appears to have a pulsation that is close to the tempo of a heartbeat. Before taking Hawthorne, it is wise to tune into your heartbeat for a few minutes to activate its spiritual properties.
The ability to let go is greatly enhanced with Hawthorne. This is not just on the medicinal level with the release of stress, but in the heart, as individuals learn to let go so they may trust. What happens in the psychic journey of letting go is that an individual reaches a point of psychic and spiritual merging in which they realize that the body will function by itself. They do not need to put any attention on it; they could just as soon die. What happens as a result of such an attitude of release is that great psychic energy is liberated, primarily in the heart center. As a result of this, the ability to love someone that you may have perhaps hated in the past comes more easily. Negative thoughtforms lodged in a person's own aura may be dislodged or even utterly destroyed. Therefore, there is some benefit in using this herb, along with loving meditations for oneself, and especially for loving others that you may have hated in the past. This implies forgiveness but it is not quite so; it is more forgiving yourself than anyone else. Simply the awareness of this energy of love beam beamed at someone may be sufficient.
The heart chakra is energized, which naturally balances and aligns through love the other main chakras with the heart chakra. The chakras and nadis in the hands may be quite stimulated. Spiritual healing may develop, but Hawthorne does not so much stimulate the transfer of energy as it stimulates the energy of love. The pericardium meridian is energized, and the etheric and emotional bodies are cleansed. The first, second, and third ray are much more focused within an individual. (Gurudas, The Spiritual Properties of Herbs)
The ability to let go is greatly enhanced with Hawthorne. This is not just on the medicinal level with the release of stress, but in the heart, as individuals learn to let go so they may trust. What happens in the psychic journey of letting go is that an individual reaches a point of psychic and spiritual merging in which they realize that the body will function by itself. They do not need to put any attention on it; they could just as soon die. What happens as a result of such an attitude of release is that great psychic energy is liberated, primarily in the heart center. As a result of this, the ability to love someone that you may have perhaps hated in the past comes more easily. Negative thoughtforms lodged in a person's own aura may be dislodged or even utterly destroyed. Therefore, there is some benefit in using this herb, along with loving meditations for oneself, and especially for loving others that you may have hated in the past. This implies forgiveness but it is not quite so; it is more forgiving yourself than anyone else. Simply the awareness of this energy of love beam beamed at someone may be sufficient.
The heart chakra is energized, which naturally balances and aligns through love the other main chakras with the heart chakra. The chakras and nadis in the hands may be quite stimulated. Spiritual healing may develop, but Hawthorne does not so much stimulate the transfer of energy as it stimulates the energy of love. The pericardium meridian is energized, and the etheric and emotional bodies are cleansed. The first, second, and third ray are much more focused within an individual. (Gurudas, The Spiritual Properties of Herbs)
Resources & Recommended
The books I recommend here are those I love and have in my library. If you click through the link and purchase the book I may earn a small affiliate commission.
