February Tips

Hawthorn
Crataegus laevigata

Hawthorn was used as a heart tonic long before it came to the attention of the medical establishment in the 1890’s, due to an article in a medical journal. Ancient Greeks and Romans used it as a ceremonial herb to symbolize hope and to ward off evil. High in bioflavonoids and antioxidants, Hawthorn had been shown to increase circulation to the heart and brain as well as regulate and strengthen contractions and mildly lower blood pressure.

In the early twentieth century, Hawthorn was the treatment of choice for heart related ailments. With all the modern advances in heart related research, today it is more widely used in Europe and Asia than here in America. It has been shown that extracts from the leaf and flowers improve peripheral circulation while fruit preparations may lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Hawthorn has also been used as a diuretic, especially in weight loss programs and as a treatment for insomnia, digestive problems and, in conjunction with ginkgo bilboa, a memory enhancer via improved cranial circulation. Although there is little evidence that indicates that Hawthorn, taken over time in small doses, is toxic, it is best to consult a physician prior to self medicating.

Hawthorn is a small tree or shrub with nasty thorns that can survive in a wide range of growing conditions from urban areas to open, exposed, windy seascapes. It is hardy to zone 3 and prefers a rich, loamy, alkaline soil in full sun to part shade.

If you have an appropriate spot in the garden for a thorny shrub that may grow to five feet, it will flower in the spring giving a beautiful display of white rose-like flowers followed by clusters of red berries. It has been called one of the most beautiful spring flowering shrubs. As an interesting aside, Hawthorn is also know as Mayblossom and lent its name to the ship Mayflower.   - Judy Dickstein