Let's have a heart-to-heart about your heart. You've heard it a million times, but it's true. Taking care of your heart is essential to daily and long-term health, and incorporating hawthorn berry for heart health can be a game changer. This vital organ is easy to take for granted, so it's important to give it the attention it needs.
A study by the Cleveland Clinic showed that 68 percent of Americans worry about dying from heart disease but lack basic knowledge about their heart health. Diet, exercise and sleep are all important to fortifying your cardiovascular system.
If you're already following these basic steps but want to do more, there may not be a better natural cardio booster than hawthorn. Stick with us to learn more about hawthorn heart benefits.
*Disclaimer - While hawthorn can offer many benefits for most people, please consult with your doctor before taking.*
WHAT IS HAWTHORN AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
So what is hawthorn? Hawthorn is a flowering shrub indigenous to Asia, Europe and North America. Like other members of the rose family, this hardwood shrub produces fragrant blossoms and sharp thorns for self-protection. Hawthorns produce red fruits or berries that are botanically known as haws.
What is hawthorn used for? Hawthorn is commonly used to increase the power and efficiency of the human heart since it is considered to be cardiotonic. It is most often used to help individuals with cardiovascular and heart-related conditions manage their symptoms.
These properties are helpful for individuals trying to support their cardiovascular system, but especially for adults who have passed the 65-year mark, as they are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. Hawthorn can help individuals manage a poorly functioning, tired or aging heart.
HISTORY FACTS OF THE HAWTHORN HARDWOOD SHRUB
This member of the rose family has been used for thousands of years medicinally, magically and as a spiritual aid.
Ancient Greeks and Romans used hawthorn as a symbol of hope to celebrate weddings and childbirth. Romans were also recorded to have hung hawthorn branches over doorways to ward off evil spirits and used sprigs for cradles to protect their babies.
Early Celtic healers called hawthorn “Faery Bush” due to the belief that fairies inhabited it. They, too, used hawthorn tree branches to protect from negative influences.
Outside of the supernatural uses of this herb, hawthorn was used to treat scurvy, stomach pain and general debility in the latter half of the millennium due to its vitamin C content. Hawthorn was used in Chinese medicine as early as 659 CE.
Many attribute an Irish physician, Dr. Green of Ennis, County Clare, with introducing hawthorn to the Western world in a medicinal capacity. Hawthorn has been used for centuries and is still used today to provide patients with cardiovascular support.
Does Hawthorn Help my Nervous System?
Yes, hawthorn also has mild nervine qualities and can calm an overexcited nervous system. It is considered a Shen tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Shen is regarded as the spirit residing in the heart. Symptoms of a disturbed Shen are anxiety, insomnia, restless sleeping, and palpitations.
If you're on board to allow hawthorn to help support your cardiovascular and nervous systems, check out some ways you can prepare hawthorn for use.
HOW TO USE HAWTHORN BERRIES
There are a few ways you can prepare hawthorn berries, powder and leaves for maximum effectiveness. If you're looking for other herbs to pair hawthorn with, it's a great idea to combine hawthorn with other cardiovascular-supporting herbs like ginkgo, motherwort and linden.
Using Hawthorn Berry: Extract & Capsules
Hawthorn can be taken as a tincture, decoction, infusion or in capsule form. Capsule dosage amounts can vary from 160-1200 mg. It's best to speak with your healthcare provider to determine the best dosage.
