Hawthorn is one of nature’s gifts in the winter, as that is when its berries become ripe. This is a boon for animals, birds, and people as it provides a fresh food source when most other plants are hibernating. Both the leaves and the berries of the Hawthorn are edible. Young spring leaves are used in salads while the berries are made into jams and jellies. Did you know that the berries are also excellent for lifting the spirit and calming the nerves?
The tree blossoms in early summer and plays an ancient role in the May festival of Beltane, celebrating fertility and death, light and dark, and male and female.
From a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) perspective, hawthorn is recognized as a Yin Supporting and Heat Clearing herb.
From a Western perspective, the compound hyperoside, found in hawthorn, is a flavonoid that reduces hypertension and acts as an antidepressant giving the plant two of its important healing properties.
Find out more about hawthorn and how it is used East and West.
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