HAWTHORN

Crataegus oxycanthae: Rosaceae

PLANET: Mars

ELEMENT: Fire

TASTE: sour, sweet	VIPAKA: sour
WARMTH: slightly warm	DOSHAS: V- P+ K=

MERIDIANS: spleen, stomach, liver

ACTIONS: , cardiac tonic (normalises and gently strengthens cardiac muscle contraction), hypotensive, antisclerotic (reduces atherosclerotic plaques), peripheral and coronary vasodilator (opens blood vessels, those supplying the heart itself and those supplying all other tissues) antispasmodic, diuretic, carminative, astringent, anti-diarrheic, emmenagogue, aids digestion and assimilation, especially digestion of meat, curbs appetite.

INDICATIONS: atherosclerosis, heart failure, valvular disease, palpitations, hypertension, blood clots, angina, insomnia, abdominal distention, sluggish digestion, abdominal tumours, kidney insufficiency

PRECAUTIONS: can increase weight and Kapha, aggravates most Pita heart conditions and overheating conditions (do not take this herb if your palpitations or hypertension might be related to having a warm or fiery constitution) In general, cardiac herbs are best prescribed by a professional.

CONSTITUENTS: Amines including phenethylamine, o-eithoxyphenethylamine and tyramine (these thought to be responsible for hypotensive and coronary circulation effects), flavonoids incl. vitexins and quercitins in the flowers and leaves, phenolic acids incl. CRATEGOLIC ACID, citric acid, chlorogenic acid, tartaric acid and phenylchromone derivatives, tannins, sugars and glycosides, ascorbic acid, saponins, aluminum, calcium, and phosphoric acid

PREPARATION AND USE:
-tincture (2-4 ml tid) or herbal wine
-simmer 1/2 oz in 1 pint water for 20 min with 1 tsp cinnamon and take 1 oz with honey three times daily as a heart tonic
-infuse 2 tsp in 1 cup boiling water for 20 min, take tid
-combine with linden, yarrow, or cayenne for hypertension

USE IN MAGIC: Fertility, Chastity, Fishing Magic, Happiness
-used to decorate the Maypole: Hawthorns thought to be witches who had transformed themselves to trees
-used in wedding decorations to increase fertility
-leaves placed under a mattress or in a room will ease one sworn to chastity or celibacy
-carried on fishing trips to ensure a good catch
-protects the house from storms, evil spirits, placed in cradles to protect infants
-sacred to fairies, and when it grows with oak and ash, one may see fairies
-used to ease depression

USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
-helps release feelings of disharmony and hate
-reinstates harmony and inner calm after a period of conflict or struggle
-renews self love and fortifies the heart

"My courage springs from a heart open enough to offer my strengths without self-consciousness."