Hawthorn Leaf & Flower
What is Hawthorn?
Affectionately called "the heart herb" for its various cardio-protective properties, hawthorn is a thorny, flowering bush native to parts of Europe, North America and northern Asia. This large, strong bush can live for over 400 years! It is a deciduous plant, a member of the rose family (rosaceae), and boasts beautiful, sweet, red berries (“haws”) which are used in jams, honey, candies, ketchup, wines and various meals. All parts of the plant - leaves, flowers, berries, stems and bark - have been used in herbal medicine for centuries; in fact, documented use of hawthorn dates as far back as 650 AD.
During the Middle Ages, hawthorn was used to treat dropsy, a condition that's now recognized as congestive heart failure. The first official study on hawthorn, published in 1896, reported 43 patients suffering from various forms of heart disease who were treated with hawthorn with promising results [1].
In addition to supporting the heart and cardiovascular system (angina, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, mitral valve prolapse, irregular heartbeat, congestive heart failure), hawthorn is also excellent for treating arthritis, osteoporosis, edema, supporting the respiratory system, digestion, cleansing the kidneys, lessening anxiety and much more.
Hawthorn for Horses
Hawthorn can be particularly helpful for horses with navicular syndrome or laminitis as it works to dilate the blood vessels. You may find your horse foraging the new leaves of hawthorn bushes, if they are blessed enough to have access, as it provides relief and support for self-healing. Hawthorn also strengthens connective tissues, benefiting the heart, as well as, the joints. It increases micro-circulation and is great for helping rid the body of toxins which can build up in the joints. It is considered an astringent, antispasmodic, cardiac, diuretic, mild sedative and tonic.
Overall, we love hawthorn for all our horses, but find it particularly helpful for horses dealing with arthritis, navicular, laminitis, anxiety or heart / circulatory issues. The smell and taste of hawthorn leaves vary from delectably sweet to almost peppery, and the berries are sweet. Overall, this herb tends to be very palatable to horses! Nutritionally and medicinally, the leaves, flowers and berries all offer similar benefits.
Benefit Highlights
- Supports a Normal Inflammatory Response
- Supports the Immune System
- Supports Digestion
- Reduces Indigestion
- Reduces Risk of Intestinal Infections
- Beneficial for Arthritis
- Increases Circulation
- Flushes Toxins from Joints
- Supportive for Navicular Syndrome
- Supportive for Laminitis / Laminitis Prevention
- Increases Micro-circulation
- Dilates Blood Vessels
- Supports the Cardiovascular System
- Cardiac Tonic / Strengthens the Heart
- Increases Circulation / Blood Flow to the Heart
- Can Restore a Normal Heartbeat / Balances Blood Pressure
- Active Constituents Relax & Dilate the Arteries
- Oxygenates the Blood
- Rich in Polyphenols
- 19 Different Flavonoids (Powerful Antioxidants)
- Expels Toxins
- Lower Disease Risk
- Supports Metabolic Health
- Provides Quercetin (anti-inflammatory)
- Anti-Cancer Properties
- Increases Insulin Sensitivity
- Mild Sedative
- Reduces Anxiety
- Helps to Manage Stress
- Clears the Mind
- Supports Clear Skin
- Can Lessen Allergies
- Antispasmodic
- Astringent
- Diuretic / Lessens Edema
- Tonic
Ingredients: 100% Organic Hawthorn Leaves and Flowers, dried (crataegus monogyna).
Serving Size: 12.5 g (approx 2 scoops) / twice daily, for every 1,000 lbs of body weight.
Testimonial:-
Holubarsch CJF, Colucci WS, Eha J. Benefit-Risk Assessment of Crataegus Extract WS 1442: An Evidence-Based Review. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2018;18(1):25-36. doi:10.1007/s40256-017-0249-9