Hawthorn berries

Folk History & Use:

Harvested in the Fall and used in jellies and as an additive to flour in some parts of Africa as a heart tonic by herbalists.

The tree was regarded as sacred because of the Christian tradition that it furnished the crown of thorns prior to Christ's crucifixion. A stand of the trees still inhabit a portion of the Mount of Olives outside of Jerusalem.

The berries are held in high esteem in Folk Medicine for its effectiveness in treating both low and high blood pressure, rapid pulse and arythmic heartbeat, as a prophylactic against angina pain and in atherosclerosis. Native Americans used hawthorn to treat rheumatism and the Chinese used another species as a digestive aid.

During the past decade, new knowledge has been obtained in regard to the berries effect on the Circulatory System. Since the Hawthorn contains neither cardiotonic glycosides or cardiotonic alkaloids, claims of digitalis-like activity have been unfounded. Instead, the active principles appear to be the flavonoids which slowly act on circulatory and cardiac problems by causing dilation of the blood vessels, especially coronary arteries, and by causing some reduction in blood pressure. It does not appear to be cardio-toxic and does not seem to have a cumulative effect. Toxicity has been noted only with very high doses.

Taken from: "Nutritional Herbology: A Reference Guide to Herbs" by Mark Pedersen

Hawthorn Berries (100 caps) - Stock # 370-3 - www.mynsp.com/aboutlife