Hawthorn has a long history of use in traditional Western herbalism as well as in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is believed that Hawthorne extract can uplift and strengthen both the physical and emotional heart. The health benefits of Hawthorn extract extend well beyond the heart. Hawthorn has been used to support healthy circulation and cardiovascular health. The healthy circulation of oxygenated blood throughout the body is crucial for maintaining optimal functioning of our many body systems.

Traditionally, Hawthorn was considered “sacred tree medicine” to the ancient Druids and was said to house fairies. The Greeks associated Hawthorn with having warm properties, meaning they believed it could help balance the constitutional temperament of an individual who otherwise had a cold disposition.

Crataegus spp. is a large, thorny shrub or small tree with stems and trunks that consist of hard wood and gray bark. A member of the Rosaceae family, Hawthorn bears tri-lobed leaves and white flowers characteristic to other genera in the rose family. The flowers ripen into bright red berries, which are carefully harvested, to avoid the many sharp thorns that protrude from the shrub’s branches. Sometimes spelled Hawthorne, the berries are often picked fully ripe in autumn before the first frost.