Our beautiful Hawthorn trees are well and truly in bloom! Since the dainty petals began to bud in May, the branches now hang heavy with creamy-white blossom blessing our gardens with the most stunning petal confetti we have ever seen!
Even before the written word the Hawthorn tree was sacred and thought to have magical properties. The herbalists of the 17th century cite the Hawthorn’s berries as holding excellent astringent qualities, perfect for drawing out splinters and soothing sore throats. Drinking a tea made from the Hawthorn’s blossom was recommended to treat many ailments, including settling a tummy after a heavy evening of over-indulging.
Fast forward hundreds of years and the Hawthorn tree is still highly regarded and is known as ‘the herb of the heart’. Doctors in the 19th century commonly used a tincture of Hawthorn berries to treat heart disease and it is now recognised that the chemical composition of Hawthorn contains compounds which are associated with strengthening the heart muscle and circulatory system! In turn, this also maintains a healthy nervous system which helps the body deal with stress, anxiety and insomnia.
Nowadays, Hawthorn is known as a tonic-herb which is safe to consume on a long-term basis as a home-remedy to minor ailments. A popular way to introduce Hawthorn into your daily routine is to infuse honey with its blossom! Simply harvest 2/3 of a jar of blossom from your Hawthorn tree and fill the rest with runny honey, removing air bubbles with a tooth pick as required, then leave to infuse for 4-6 weeks. This is a perfect addition to a honey and lemon drink when you’re feeling under the weather!
