Crataegus (Hawthorn) is typically a member of the rose family and seen as large shrubs and trees. These belong to the temperate regions of the world and grow to around 5-20 meters in height. The branches of these shrubs are usually small and thorny. There are over 200 species that are related to this genus. Typically, the parts of the Hawthorn are used for various medicinal and non-medicinal purposes. In fact, the berries of the Hawthorn are known to be very valuable as they sustain a variety of wildlife.
Other Names of Crataegus: Hawthorn and Thornapple
Useful Parts of the Plant: Flowers, bark, dried leaves and the berries
Nutritional Information and Properties: Crataegus(Hawthorn) is rich in nutrients. The shrub is rich in flavonoids. It also contains Vitamin C and is rich in B Vitamins. Along with bioflavonoids crataegus also contains polyphenols, procyanidins, vitexin, hyperoxide, and cardiotonic amines.
Health Benefits and Therapeutic Uses:
With regards to the Health Benefits and therapeutic uses of the Crataegus(Hawthorn), in most of the herbal remedies, the ripe fruit and the flowers of the Crataegus are used.
It is also known to be very beneficial for treating various heart- related ailments as well as other medical conditions such a cough, dizziness, sleeplessness, stomach aches and throat related problems, etc.
The extract of the seeds of the Hawthorn is used as a home remedy for strengthening the teeth and gums.
Herbal preparations using Hawthorn are also known to have therapeutic uses such as improving the circulation of blood to the brains and the heart as well as for taking care of any heaviness or pain around the heart that may be experienced by an individual. Crataegus is known to be rich in flavonoids which are responsible for widening the arteries which increase the flow of oxygen into the heart.
Along with the fruits and the flowers of the Hawthorn, in some parts of the world, the cortex of the young branches and the leaves of the Crataegus(Hawthorn) are also used as a natural treatment for fever and diarrhea.
The health benefits of the regular use of Crataegus also include normalization of one’s sleep patterns along with stabilizing the blood and pulse pressure as well as elevating one’s moods.
The Crataegus(Hawthorn) is typically known to be associated with the treatment of various heart diseases such as angina pectoris as it is effective in increasing the amount of blood per heartbeat which is caused on account of stronger contractions of the heart muscle.
The bioflavonoids that are present in Crataegus are also known to benefit the circulatory system of the individual by toning and strengthening the muscles that constitute the walls of the arteries, and this helps in minimizing the possibility of aneurysm and stroke.
Hawthorn is also known to help regulate the blood pressure and hence is also used to treat the low blood pressure as well as high blood pressure.
It is known to help in protecting the heart lipids by lowering serum cholesterol. Health and medicinal benefits of Hawthorn also include its effect on the free radicals that it tends to aid in destroying as they would have otherwise caused damage to the body of the individual.
As Crataegus(Hawthorn) is known to strengthen the heart muscle and protect against various heart- related medical conditions, it is known to improve the overall ability of the individual to exercise and perform various physical activities. Crataegus knew for its antioxidant properties which tend to help against the formation of plaque in the arteries that narrows the arterial passages and results in a health condition known as arteriosclerosis.
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