What are the benefits of hawthorn?

Hawthorn or Crataegus monogyna comes from the Rosacea family such as the wild strawberry or the Provence rose. Common in the woods of Europe, West Asia and North Africa, hawthorn flowers grow on a small shrub made of thorns that lives for over 150 years. A small red fruit grows at the end of the branches, it is commonly called cenelle. In the context of medicinal use, different parts of this plant are used such as flowers, twigs or fruits.

What are the properties of hawthorn?

The flowers of the hawthorn have many health benefits. In infusion or drink, they act on our body and our mind. This plant combines different properties:

• An action on the heart muscle (the myocardium)
• Antispasmodic action
• Antioxidant action
• A calming action
• An action on nervous disorders
• Fight against high blood pressure
• An anti-stress action
• A digestive action

In which cases can we use hawthorn flowers?

Known for its excellent effect on the myocardium, hawthorn is considered a great ally in treating cardiovascular disorders. Thanks to the synergy of these components, it increases the circulation in the coronaries. In case of cardiac arrhythmia, palpitations, arteriosclerosis or extrasystoles (disturbances of the heartbeat outside the sinus node), you can consume hawthorn flowers as a herbal tea or infusion. This plant also turns out to be an excellent hypotensive. It acts on blood pressure by stabilizing it when it is too low or too high.

Another virtue of these flowers: they provide a calming action. Hawthorn contains many flavonoids (molecules rich in antioxidants), so it makes it easier to fall asleep and sleep. For the more anxious, consuming hawthorn regularly can calm the nerves and reduce stress.

When we think of menopause, we immediately imagine hot flashes. This symptom can occur at any time and is very uncomfortable for most women. In addition to reducing anxiety, hawthorn flowers also relieve them.

If you decide to go on a diet to lose a few pounds, hawthorn can help. The latter improves digestion because it dissolves large amounts of fat present in the body.

Hawthorn: what are the contraindications?

Like most medicinal plants, hawthorn has contraindications. Some precautions should therefore be taken into account before using it.

If you suffer from cardiovascular pathologies, it is better to seek the approval of your doctor or a cardiologist before starting to take hawthorn regularly. The healthcare professional will tell you whether or not it is recommended for your illness. For pregnant women and young children, as a preventive measure, taking hawthorn is also not recommended.

How to consume hawthorn?

Several options are available to you to consume hawthorn daily:

• Infusion of hawthorn flowers: in a cup of boiling water pour a teaspoon of hawthorn flowers. For ten minutes, let the preparation infuse.
• Decoction of hawthorn leaves: prepare a tablespoon of herbs and pour them into cold water, then bring to the boil for three minutes. Let the mixture steep for ten minutes.

Without meals, drink two to three cups a day of infusion of flowers or leaves of hawthorn. Follow this routine for about twenty days if you want to act on your heart. For an action on your sleep, take an infusion half an hour before going to bed. After a few weeks, you should see a marked improvement in your nights.

This plant is also consumable in other forms such as capsules. In this case, take two to six lozenges per day without meals. Another option: in hydro-alcoholic extract. Morning and evening, add thirty drops of hawthorn in a glass.