HAWTHORN
(Crataegus oxyacantha)
Other Names: Crataegs monogyna Mayflower, May Bush, English Hawthorn.
General Description: A thorny European tree with bright red berries, grows to 25 feet tall.
Parts Used: The berries and flowers
Active Ingredients: vitexin-2"rhamnoside
Traditional Uses: Known since the Middle Ages, used in China, Europe and America for heart and circulatory disorders.
Current Status: Hawthorn dilates blood vessels and improves circulation. Has been used in combination with Ginko biloba to improve post menopausal memory loss. Studies of it's effectiveness in this area are lacking.
Precautions: Self treatment for heart disease is a bad idea. If you have or suspect that you have heart disease you need to consult a health care professional.
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