Hawthorn – The Herb of the Heart – Monastic Recipes

Description

Hawthorn is one of the most well-known herbs for the heart. It is a thorny shrub, from which the leaves, flowers, and fruits are used for various health issues.

Properties:
● Cardiotonic, as it relaxes and dilates the arteries.
● Relaxing.
● Antioxidant.
● Inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
● Used for insomnia.
● Helps in cases of diarrhea.
● Excellent for cholesterol problems.
● Lowers high blood pressure and raises low blood pressure.
● Reduces symptoms of angina.
● Memory tonic.
● Dilates blood vessels.
● Used for kidney and bladder stones.

Preparation method

We add one to two teaspoons of the herb to a cup of boiling water. We let it steep for about ten minutes and then strain it.

Side effects

Although hawthorn is generally considered safe for most adults for short-term use (up to 16 weeks), it may cause nausea, dizziness, fatigue, stomach disturbances, insomnia, increased heart rate, headaches, sweating, or other issues in some individuals. Its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be avoided.

It is also very likely to interact with many medications for cardiovascular diseases, so great caution and coordination with your doctor are needed. For example, taking hawthorn may lower blood pressure, so if taken alongside medication for hypertension, there is a possibility that the pressure could drop too low, reaching the opposite extreme. At other times, it has been observed that hawthorn may increase blood flow. If combined with medications that have the same effect, the risk of dizziness increases.

Caution is also required if you are planning any surgery, as hawthorn may reduce blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding during or after the procedure. Therefore, it is recommended to stop taking it at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery.

Net weight 30g