Hawthorn (Fructus Benedictus, Hearts Delight)

(Crataegus Oxycantha)
Description
Hawthorn is a thorny, deciduous shrub which produces white blossoms in spring and red berries. It is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Properties and Uses
Hawthorn berries have been used as a heart tonic for over 2000 years. Hawthorn is also used in treating angina andirregular heartbeat. The Chinese used the berries for both digestion and circulatory problems. The anti-oxidants in hawthorn are believed to boost heart health by strengthening blood vessels and stimulatiing blood flow.

History
The tree was regarded as sacred and, along with Ash and Oak, was one of the three sacred trees of the Celts.It is still thought unlucky to bring hawthorn flowers into the house as they are said to bear the small of the plague of London.
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- Angelica (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Benedictus)
- Bay (Norfolk Punch)
- Blackcurrant (Fructus Benedictus, Hearts Delight)
- Caraway (Norfolk Punch)
- Chamomile (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Benedictus, Ginger Bliss, Hearts Delight)
- Chaste Tree (Fructus Benedictus)
- Cinnamon (Norfolk Punch)
- Clove (Norfolk Punch, Ginger Bliss)
- Cranberry (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Benedictus)
- Daisy (Norfolk Punch)
- Dandelion (Norfolk Punch, Hearts Delight)
- Dock/Burdock (Norfolk Punch)
- Dong Quai (Fructus Benedictus)
- Elderberry (Norfolk Punch, Hearts Delight)
- Elderflower (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Bendictus, Ginger Bliss)
- Fennel (Norfolk Punch)
- Feverfew (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Benedictus)
- Ginger (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Benedictus, Ginger Bliss)
- Gingko Biloba (Fructus Benedictus)
- Grapeskin (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Benedictus, Hearts Delight)
- Hops (Norfolk Punch, Hearts Delight)
- Lemon Balm (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Benedictus)
- Lime Flower (Norfolk Punch)
- Lime Leaf (Norfolk Punch)
- Liquorice (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Benedictus)
- Meadowsweet (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Benedictus)
- Nettle (Fructus Benedictus)
- Nutmeg (Norfolk Punch, Ginger Bliss)
- Passion Flower (Fructus Benedictus)
- Peppermint (Norfolk Punch)
- Poppy (Norfolk Punch, Fructus Benedictus, Ginger Bliss)
- Raspberry Leaf (Fructus Benedictus)
- Rosemary (Norfolk Punch)
- Rowanberry (Fructus Benedictus, Hearts Delight)
- Samphire (Norfolk Punch)
- Sarsaparilla (Fructus Benedictus, Hearts Delight)
- Siberian Ginseng (Fructus Benedictus)
- Thyme (Norfolk Punch, Ginger Bliss, Hearts Delight)
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- Wild Yam (Fructus Benedictus)