Crataegus oxyacantha auct. Hawthorn, Mayflower
Family: Rosaceae
Synonym: C. laevigata
Description: “Deciduous shrub or small tree, densely -branched and spiny with lobed, obovate leaves. Scented white flowers appear in late spring, followed by dark red egg-shaped fruits. H 5-6m, S5-5.5m. Fully hardy.” (Bown, 1995: 112)
Habitat: In hedgerows and copses, mainly in Northern Europe.
Harvest: Flowers are ready for collecting in late spring to early summer; the berries in the autumn. (Mills, 1991)
Parts used: Flowers, fruit and leaves.
Dosage: 1:5 Tincture: 1-2ml tds, Fluid Extract: 0.5-1ml tds, Dried 1-2g tds.
Character: Flowering tops: cool, astringent taste; Berries: sour, slightly sweet, warm.
Actions:
-CARDIOTONIC (MILD),
-CARDIOPROTECTIVE,
-ANTIOXIDANT,
-Collagen stabilising,
-MILD ASTRINGENT,
-Hypotensive,
Antiarrhythmic.
Organ systems: Cardiovascular.
Indications:
-Congestive heart disease*,
-cardiac insufficiency*,
-mild heart conditions,
-prevention of arterial degeneration caused by atherosclerosis,
-co-factor for vitamin C intake**,
-stabilisation of connective tissue tone**,
-reduction of cholesterol**,
-to increase hydration and elasticity of skin** (Mills and Bone, 2000).
External usage: Acne*.
Safety: No adverse effects from ingestion expected. May act in synergy with digitalis, glycosides, beta-blockers and other hypotensive drugs. Modification of dosage may be required (Mills and Bone, 2000).
Contra-indications: None known.
Key Constituents:
-Oligomeric procyanidins, mainly procyadin B-2. NB. Highest levels OPC in leaves.
-Flavonoids, incl. quercetin glycosides (hyperoside, rutin) and particularly flavone-C-glycosides (vitexin and related compounds). NB. Highest in flowers.
-Amines, catechols, carboxylic and triterpene acids.
Pharmacology: Studies in vitro, in vivo and on rats show effects of flavonoids and OPCs on cardiovascular system; also antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic activity and collagen stabilisation. See Mills and Bone, 2000: 440-443.
Clinical trials: Extensive trials on heart disease and lowering blood pressure; also acne (uncontrolled). See Mills and Bone, 2000: 443-445. Significant improvement in cardiac function, oedema and dyspnoea (Wren, 1988).
Toxicology: No target organ toxicity defined at 100 times human dose of hawthorn extract (standardised to 18.75%). (Mills and Bone, 2000)
History: Name derived from Greek kratos, “hardness (of the wood),” oxus, “sharp,” and akantha, “a thorn.” In pagan times, the chosen King and Queen of the May were sacrificed at the growing season -hence the ambiguity of Hawthorn as a symbol of hope and omen of death. Many superstitions, such as unlucky to bring indoors. Also bears common name of ‘Bread and Cheese’ due to rural custom of adding tasty young leaves to sandwiches. (Bown, 1995). Reputedly excellent fuel -creates hottest fires. (Grieve, 1995) Use in cardiac therapy is attributed to Dr Green, an Irish doctor who used a tincture of the fresh berries. (Mills and Bone, 2000).
Traditional and Practitioner sources:
“Crataegus has quickly become one of the most widely used heart remedies.” Rudolph Weiss, 1985 (Ody,1995).
“INFUSION OF FLOWERING TOPS: Use to improve poor circulation and as a tonic for heart problems. Combine with yarrow for hypertension. DECOCTION OF BERRIES for diarrhoea: Decoct 30g berries in 500ml water for 15 mins only.” Penelope Ody (Ody, 1995).
“Cardiac tonic trophorestorative: increases and sustains action of heart and arterioles, with principal influence on the myocardium. Improves coronary circulation, restores myocardial reserve, and regulates disturbances of rhythm.
Indications:
-Myocardial degeneration and/ or coronary sclerosis in elderly -with Capsicum to sustain function.
-Hypertension -with Viscum-Tilia-Scutellaria.
-Cardiac weakness after infections.
-Acute myocardial insufficiency following Digitalis therapy.
-Angina, palpitation, vertigo -with Pulsatilla.” Priest and Priest (1983: 90-91).
