Letter from the Publisher

Amanda Klenner

February is heart health month here in the States. With the dismal

statistics that we have here—over 700,000 Americans suffer from

heart attacks every year—it might come as little surprise to learn

that, annually, 600,000 Americans die from heart disease every

year. That is a quarter of total US deaths annually! High blood

pressure runs in my own family and my husbands as well. This

cardiovascular inflammatory process is very common and something

most families find themselves dealing with.

Why is this? Could it be the processed food diet, or the fact that we

are told to eat food according to government subsidies that are not

supported by science? Could it be the fact that we are more

sedentary than we once were, or have moved away from our natural

health roots?

Whatever the cause, we are here to talk about heart health, and

there is no herb that jumps to mind for “heart health” more than

hawthorn. Hawthorn is not only a wonderful cardiovascular tonic, but

it is also an important ally for the emotional heart to process

emotions, feelings, stress, tragedy, and more. Hawthorn is a

wonderful herb to have on hand, and it is incredibly tasty too!

Join me this month in educating yourself about real heart health, and

enjoy working with hawthorn every way you can.

Green Blessings,

- Amanda

Table of Contents

Hawthorn Herbal Monograph 4

Hawthorn Flower Essence 8

Hawthorn Tea 9

Hawthorn as a Spiritual and Emotional Ally 13

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Uses and

Indications of Hawthorn 18

Hawthorn myths and lore 22

Healthy Fats for a Healthy Heart 27

Warming the Winter Heart: Hawthorn Folk

Tincture 35

Hawthorn, Rose, Ginger Elixir 39

Essential Oil Safety during Pregnancy 43

How to Feel Flower Essences Working in You 48

Glossary of Herbalism 51

Disclaimer 62

Hawthorn Herbal Monograph

Angela Justis

Common Name: Hawthorn, Mayblossom, Thorn, Thornapple

Latin Name: Crataegus spp.

Family: Rosaceae

Parts Used: Berries, Flowers, Leaves, & Tips of Branches

ACTIONS:

Cardiotonic, Cardioprotective, Trophorestorative, Diuretic,

Astringent, Tonic, Nutritive, Mucilaginous, Antioxidant

Steeped in lore and tradition, this lovely member of the rose family has a

long history of use in healing humanity’s woes. Its historical use stretches

around the globe from cultures in Europe to China and on to the Native

Americans. In European traditions Hawthorn is associated with fertility,

spring, and May Day celebrations. It was also considered to be a sacred

plant offering protection against evil and illness1. It is believed to be the

plant from which the Crown of Thorns came that sat atop Christ’s head.

Medicinally, hawthorn was used to treat ailments of the heart and as a

nutritious food. In China “hawthorn was first mentioned as a drug in the

Tang-Ben-Cao, dating to 659 AD. This work is considered the worlds' first

official pharmacopoeia.”2 Native Americans used the plant for easing

digestive issues, treating the urinary tract, to restore the heart, and as a

food plant.3

Hawthorn is most commonly known as superb herb for the heart and

circulatory system. In fact, many herbalists consider it the herb for the

heart. Its gentle action nourishes and tones, strengthening the whole

circulatory system. Hawthorn is a trophorestorative for the heart,

meaning that it brings balance to the heart when used long term. It truly

and deeply helps to correct excess or deficient tendencies while

revitalizing both function and structure. Wondrous in its capacity as a

heart tonic, hawthorn has the ability to stimulate or depress the heart

and circulatory system in response to the needs of the body. It is used to

treat both high and low blood pressure and may help those suffering with

postural hypotension4. Its rich antioxidant content provides excellent

nourishment for the body and heart, offering protection from free radical

damage.

Hawthorn helps those with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

with its vasodilating effect making it a wonderful remedy for high blood

pressure and angina. Hawthorn’s vasodilating effect also helps alleviate

poor circulation from aging5. It improves strength of the heart and

regulates the heart’s rhythm. Herbalist Feather Jones explains that

hawthorn “has the ability to impart muscular tone to cardiac action

1 Anne McIntyre, Flower Power pg. 95 2 Steven Foster, Hawthorn Monograph 3 Steven Foster, Hawthorn Monograph 4 Mountain Rose Herbs, Hawthorn for the Heart 5 Anne McIntyre, Flower Power pg. 95

making each beat count1.” As a preventative, hawthorn helps to maintain

and improve the “connective tissue structure of the endothelial lining of

the heart, blood and lymphatic vessels2”, which helps these structures

age well and prevents injury. This amazing herb is specific for a multitude

of heart and circulatory ailments including degenerative heart disease,

weakness of the cardiovascular system, congestive heart failure, coronary

artery disease, hyper- and hypotension, angina, endocarditis, dyspnea,

edema, varicosities and venous stasis.

Hawthorn helps comfort a nervous heart and associated conditions such

as palpitations and arrhythmia. It also helps to ease symptoms of

nervous unrest such as anxiety, depression, and even insomnia. It helps

to open the heart, enabling easier expression of emotions. Sharol Tilgner

explains that “hawthorn is indicated for irritable nervous heart conditions,

[including] those related to an emotional or spiritual heartache from a

disconnection with the spirit, in conjunction with weak or slow digestion3.”

Native American’s used a root decoction to help ease diarrhea and

dysentery, and as a tonic for problems in the female reproductive

system4. The berries’ astringent action can also be put to good use in

cases of diarrhea. In Chinese Medicine the fruits are considered to be

warming and sour, finding use in treating stagnant digestion associated

with bloating, pain, and diarrhea5. The berries can be used to treat

irritable bowel syndrome relieving related gas and constipation and

Crohn’s disease6.

All of this and guess what? Hawthorn is tasty too!

Hawthorn’s gentle action is slow and deep and should be taken for one to

three months to effect change. Preparations for hawthorn include teas,

1 Feather Jones, Medicinal Herb Handbook pg.8 2 Sharol Tilgner N.D., Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth pg. 73 3 Sharol Tilgner N.D., Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth pg. 73 4 Steven Foster, Hawthorn Monograph 5 Steven Foster, Hawthorn Monograph 6 Mountain Rose Herbs, Hawthorn for the Heart

tinctures, capsules, and syrups, as well as using the berries as a

tasty food.

Contraindications and Precautions

Heart disease is serious and must not be self-treated. Always work

with a knowledgeable professional to insure the best care. Hawthorn

use may lessen the need for heart medications. Therefore, in these

cases it is essential that you consult with your physician before use.

Excessive consumption of hawthorn berry tea may cause mild

diarrhea.

References

Books

• Gladstar, Rosemary, Herbs For Longevity & Well-Being, Storey

Books, 1999

• Grieve, Mrs. M., A Modern Herbal, Random House, 1973

• Hoffman, David, The Herbal Handbook, A User’s Guide To Medical

Herbalism, Healing Arts Press, 1998

• Jones, Feather, Medicinal Herb Handbook, Six Directions

Publishing Cooperative, 1994

• McIntyre, Anne, Flower Power, Henry Holt & Company, Inc., 1996

• Smith, Ed, Therapeutic Herb Manual, Ed Smith, 1999

• Tilgner, Sharol, N.D., Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth,

Wise Acres Press, Inc., 1999

Websites

• http://www.stevenfoster.com/education/monograph/hawthorn.html

• http://mountainroseblog.com/hawthorn-heart-2/

• http://bearmedicineherbals.com/terms-of-the-trade-

trophorestorative.html

• http://www.herbcraft.org/properties.html

Hawthorn Flower Essence

Charis Denny

Most of us probably know a person in need of Hawthorn flower

essence. Possibly they’re your boss, a parent, spouse, or even

yourself. When out of balance, the hawthorn-type person can really

make life miserable for the people around them with their hostility

and aggression. They are your typical “Type A” personality taken to

an extreme degree. They may become easily agitated and stressed

out when their wishes and desires are not satisfied. Hawthorn flower

essence can bring about a drastic change when taken by a person

who needs it. Where before they may have been a bully, when

brought into a more proper balance, they will instead display a

healthy sense of assertion as opposed to aggression. Their physical

presence will be strong and powerful with an abundance of bravery

and courage. Instead of a person who may bully others into

following their will, they become a strong and effective leader.

Hawthorn Tea

Carol Little

We use the hawthorn’s berries, leaves, and flowers in herbal

medicine. They have similar properties, but the berries are the most

‘tonic’ and the most gentle. In southern Ontario, we harvest the

berries when they are turning from green to red or orange in late

July to early August.

I love to make a pot of hawthorn tea with the fresh or dried berries.

Hawthorn is a star in the cardiovascular herb category. It can

decrease cardiac arrhythmias and is well known to normalize high

and low blood pressure. It strengthens the heart and can decrease

the effect of toxins on the heart itself. Hawthorn berry tea can also

help to improve circulation as it dilates blood vessels all over the

body. For this reason, we also use it to help atherosclerosis and

varicose veins.

I also combine it with nervous system supporting herbs (nervines)

for help with depression, anxiety, and general nervousness.

Hawthorn’s very nature makes it helpful for dealing with stressful

situations.

Hawthorn Tea can be made in the morning in a stainless steel pot,

and drank throughout the day. It makes a delicious cold tea as well.

I make it ‘solo’ or combine it with other herbs to make lovely tonic

tea blends. Some herbalists use it as a digestant in tea blends to

alleviate gas, bloating, and that feeling of being ‘full’.

Whether enjoyed on its own or in a blend, it’s easy to make. Be sure

to use a stainless steel or other non-reactive pot (glass, for

example). I always make a quart of tea. A therapeutic dose is 3-4

cups, so why not make it all at once? I use a canning jar sometimes

to make it for an on-the-go application.

Hawthorn Berry Tea

Directions

Put 4 cups of good quality water in a pot.

Add 3-5 Tbsp of dried hawthorn berries.

Bring to a boil. Turn back the heat and allow to steep for about

10 minutes, lid on.

I always use the berries twice and then compost them.

This is a guideline. Basically, add a small handful of berries to a pot

of water. Brew it up and enjoy!

If you’d rather enjoy hawthorn with other beneficial herbs, give either

one of these blends a try.

Tonic Tea (for High Blood Pressure)

Ingredients

2 parts hawthorn berries

1 part spearmint (or other mints are fine)

1 part lemon balm leaves

½ part motherwort leaves + flowers

½ part linden leaf + flower

½ part roses

½ part ginkgo leaves

Soothing Jangled Nerves

Ingredients

2 parts hawthorn berries

2 parts milky oat tops

1 part lemon balm

1 part nettle leaf

¼ part orange peel (organic)

Directions

Use 1 Tbsp of either combination of these herbs per cup of boiled water

for a cuppa tea! I like to put the herbs by a small handful or

approximately 4-5 Tbsp into a glass canning jar. Fill with just boiled

water and top with a lid. Enjoy the show as the flowers and green

goodness unfold and dispense their healing powers!

The 'therapeutic dose' for all of these tea recipes is 3-4 cups per day. This

means that optimal results are often most noted with this amount.

Caution

A limited number of people experience mild diarrhea when drinking

hawthorn tea. I have never experienced this with my clients or

personally, and I have enjoyed a LOT of this tea. Also, as hawthorn

makes the heart stronger, cardiac glycoside drugs could be affected.

Ensure that you work with an experienced herbalist in these cases.

Hawthorn as a Spiritual and

Emotional Ally

Darcey Blue

Hawthorn, well-loved as an ally for the physical heart, is also a

tremendous ally for the emotional and spiritual heart.

Hawthorn, a rose family tree, is often used as an aid for grief,

heartbreak, and sadness. It supports the heart when it feels as if it is

literally in pain during these times. Its cooling, calming nervine properties

soothe the emotions that come up during the grief process. Often, when

a client or friend comes to me suffering from a heartbreak, grief, loss, or

sadness and depression, I will add hawthorn to the regimen or formula,

either as a tincture, a flower essence, or in tea. But what makes

hawthorn the herb of choice for heartache and grief as opposed to other

nervines and heart herbs?

Hawthorn is covered in very fierce and sharp thorns, and its energy is

one of a fierce protector or a strong warrior to keep you safe when your

heart and emotions are in a tender and vulnerable state. Grief and

emotional processing are extremely vulnerable times. While we often

need soothing and easing of our emotional or spiritual pain, we also need

protection and a safe place from which to go through the process of

emotional healing. Emotions must be able to be expressed and flow, tears

allowed to be shed, in order to move through grief. Hawthorn is an ally

that provides an energetic, safe, and protected heart space for allowing

grief and emotional processing.

Hawthorn gives us that safe place, but is also strong enough to help us

refrain from getting caught up in our stories of woe and suffering. It

allows us to not wallow or remain stuck in our process, which only creates

more suffering for ourselves. If seems to be caught in a cycle of

victimhood and grieving, hawthorn can provide the medicine to help them

shift their story away from that of suffering into true allowance and

healing.

Hawthorn also provides an energetic protection of emotional and spiritual

boundaries – again those fierce thorns and its deep association with

magic and faery makes it an ally to call upon – in relationship to others,

or in situations where we feel potentially threatened emotionally or

spiritually.

Hawthorn has a long history of association with the faery realm, or the

magical, spiritual, dream worlds. It is seen as a gateway between the

worlds, and a guardian of the in-between places. Both on the physical

land as it grows in transitional areas or edges of forests and fields, and

spiritually, where it holds the gate between the worlds. It is often seen

as a protector of the crossroads as well, that place where we choose to

go this way or that way. I find that hawthorn is a powerful ally when we

are undergoing any sort of transition – whether it be physical, emotional,

or spiritual – when we often find ourselves in a place in life where we are

in-between stages. This can even be the end of a relationship before we

have come back to center in ourselves. Many kinds of transitions and

choices in life can be supported by the energy of hawthorn, such as the

choices we must make about leaving a job or place of residence, of life

stage transitions like menopause, parenthood, death, or choosing to

follow one path or the other in our lives, such as, “Do I choose to spend

the next year travelling, or settling down into a new path of schooling?”

Hawthorn is especially helpful if these choices, transitions, and in-

between stages are causing us emotional or are triggering our stories of

suffering and victimhood.

On a spiritual level, hawthorn also can serve as a guide, protector, and

source of wisdom for us when we engage in spiritual work that involves

crossing the veil, such as with shamanic healing or journey, meditation,

divination, deep spiritual connection with the land, or psychopomp

(helping spirits go from the land of the living, into the spirit realm at

death).

Despite its strong association with healing for our emotional pain,

hawthorn is also a powerful ally for our heart in times when we are not in

emotional distress. Hawthorn nourishes and strengthens the heart

physically. When you are wanting to connect more deeply with your

heart as the primary organ of perception, with its huge electro-magnetic

field,1 hawthorn can help tune in and strengthen that connection. It

strengthens the heart chakra, the energetic nexus of our

emotional/spiritual bodies that feeds into the center of our chest and

keeps our physical and emotional bodies informed. Heart chakra

imbalances result in difficulties with compassion, self-love, and universal

spiritual love (as opposed to physical, sexual desire/love). It also throws

off the balance of our physical existence and needs of our spiritual life,

practices, and beliefs. The heart chakra is the crucible in which we

connect our rootedness and physical experience on the Earth with the

spiritual aspirations of the divine and sacred. Hawthorn is a medicine for

bringing nourishment, strength, and balance to our energetic heart

chakra.

On a physical note, much of hawthorn’s folklore speaks of its importance

in human sexual union and reproduction, in Beltane rites and ceremonies,

1 http://www.heartmath.org/free-services/articles-of-the-heart/energetic-heart-is-unfolding.html

– which are essentially a celebration of the fertility of the Earth – and the

uniting of the Divine Masculine and Feminine. One of the pieces of self-

love and spiritual wholeness we need as humans is to balance and unite

the masculine and feminine energies within us. Instead of seeking the

fulfillment of ourselves in the others, by uniting our own inner male and

female energies we become whole in and of ourselves, content and

satisfied in a sacred marriage within us that resonates as self-

love. Hawthorn holds both masculine and feminine energy. It can help us

understand our own masculine and feminine aspects and support us in

bringing them into balance and harmony within ourselves. Hawthorn,

though not traditionally considered an aphrodisiac in the sexual sense,

supports us in using our sexual energy as a force for creativity, healing,

and empowerment coming from a unified spiritual heart. Hawthorn is a

wonderful ally to share with couples to bring their sexual energies in

alignment, or in working with people overcoming sexual trauma or

imbalance by helping to restore it to a healthy and empowered energy.

This normally goes along with appropriate other healing modalities such

as therapy, spiritual counseling, energetic healing, or body work.

Finally, hawthorn is truly an ally for death and

transformation. Hawthorn’s lore also speaks of its associations with death

and dying. It is said that to bring hawthorn flowers into the house, which

some people say smell like rotting flesh, will portend a death in the

home. Hawthorn may also have been the “crown of thorns” worn by Jesus

when crucified at his death.

Our culture struggles with death as a part of life. Quite often it is not

talked about, is skirted around in conversation, and is feared. We strive

to put it off for as long as possible. But death is a part of our physical

existence and must be befriended and come to terms with, as we will all

face death; of loved ones, of relationships, jobs, and life cycles, and

eventually our own physical death. Hawthorn teaches us about the nature

of death, as a disintegration of one form and transformation into

another. When we can learn to embrace death purely as a shift in form

and an opportunity for transformation, we begin to come to terms with it

in a way that frees us from the fear we. All things change, and all things

die – eventually the tallest of mountains eventually crumble into rubble.

Hawthorn is the ally for us when we are struggling to allow a death in our

lives, be it a physical death, or simply the death of some aspect of our

life. It helps us to embrace the transformation of death and to understand

that all things must change. Eventually everything must return to the

Earth to become compost for the next season, phase, or stage in our lives

or soul journey. It also helps us to ask ourselves, “What needs to be

given death in my life?” or “What needs change and transformation?”

Hawthorn can hold the space for us to recognize and allow these

inevitable deaths and transformations to occur in our lives, soothe the

ache of loss, and ease the grip of control we desire in these times.

Hawthorn is a magical plant ally and has been known as such throughout

history. It is truly an ally for teaching us about the magic and power

within our own hearts. When we accept grief and heartache as

opportunities for healing, growth, and transformation, we shift our

relationship with self, other, creation/sexuality, destruction/death and life

itself.

I invite you to take a short, guided journey to meet with hawthorn as a

spiritual ally, and allow its wisdom to come to you personally, in the way

you most need at this time. Prepare yourself a dark and quiet space

where you will not be disturbed, and journey to hawthorn to ask for its

teaching and wisdom for you. Be sure to have a journal and pen nearby

so you can write down the wisdom that comes for you.

The guided meditation mp3 file can also be reached at:

http://shamanaflora.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/guided-meditation-to-hawthorn.mp3

The Traditional Chinese Medicine

Uses and Indications of Hawthorn

Nina Katz

Traditionally, we associate Hawthorn with the physical heart – and it

is an excellent heart tonic – but it has wider use as a remedy to

“open the chest.”

“Opening the chest” is a concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine

that refers to the physical and the emotional/metaphoric chest. To

understand what this means, take a moment to feel inside your own

chest. How are you breathing? Are the breaths deep, shallow, or in-

between? Do your ribs float freely, or do they feel constrained? Are

you aware of your heart? Do you feel as if a small animal, an

elephant, or even the whole world were sitting on your chest? Take

another moment to register what emotions may be stuck in there.

Are there things that you need to get off your chest? Feelings that

you haven't felt free to talk about, or that you feel you may talk

about until you’re blue in the face but still can't resolve? Grief,

perhaps? Or anger, worry, anxiety, obsessive thinking, or even joy

that hasn't been fully expressed? When the emotions are stuck, it

means the Qi is stuck, which may, in turn, lead to physical

symptoms as well. These physical manifestations of stagnant Qi are

not psychosomatic; they are simply the consequences of a disruption

to the smooth flow of energy through the body.

All of those ideas are packed into the TCM understanding of

constricted Qi in the upper warmer, or stuck energy in the chest. The

idea is that when energy flows freely through the body, body

processes follow their natural ebbs and flows without constraint, in

smooth conjunction with emotional, mental, and spiritual processes.

When the Qi is stuck, the block interferes with these processes and

they become constrained or interrupted. “Opening the chest” means

freeing the Qi to move regularly through the chest, allowing the

emotions and thoughts to flow smoothly, and restoring optimal

function to the heart and the lungs.

Hawthorn, as a remedy for opening the chest, restores the free flow

of Qi throughout this area. In practical terms, this means that it can

treat lung and emotional problems as well as the heart. Hawthorn

helps with asthma and bronchitis, conditions where there is

constriction in the bronchi or other parts of the lungs. It may help

with pneumonia as well. The breathing may be constricted, with or

without wheezing. One may feel physical tightness or heaviness in

the chest, or have the sense of something physical weighing on the

chest. Hawthorn may help to release this and restore normal

breathing and openness to the lungs.

Chinese Medicine associates the Lungs and the Lung meridian with

grief. Hawthorn is a special ally in times of grief, particularly grief

that feels like a weight on the chest, the emotional counterpart to

the physical constraint that comes with a lung disorder. It helps with

grief that has no physical counterpart as well, especially with grief

that has that same sense of constriction that feels too vast to work

through, that one cannot express freely, or that feels stuck, where

one can't move through the stages of mourning or grieving. By

opening the chest, hawthorn allows the grief work and release to

begin.

Similarly, hawthorn can help the person whose anger implodes

rather than explodes; who keeps it all bottled up in the chest, or

directs it inward at the self. (There are other remedies for those

whose anger explodes outward.) Hawthorn un-bottles whatever

emotions are packed too tightly into the chest and allows gentle,

healing release.

Hawthorn also has a place in the healing of trauma, where the

emotions may need an extra sense of safety before they begin to

release. Like all members of the rose family, hawthorn combines

delicate, fragrant beauty with the fierce protectiveness of its thorns,

which we may need to permit us to return to the experience of

trauma and begin our healing. Other herbs I have used for this

include yarrow and motherwort.

Because of its role in opening the chest, hawthorn can help release

anxiety, worry, and repetitive thought. When the anxiety is weighing

on the chest, or the thoughts or worries seem to circulate without

release, hawthorn can break the cycle. When a person seems stuck

in a track and needs someone to open a door or somehow lighten

the load, think of hawthorn. The hawthorn person often keeps

everything too close to the chest to be able to ask for help.

Hawthorn can also help someone who seems to have closed off the

emotional heart to reopen to the world of emotions and

relationships.

When using hawthorn as a nervine to free the emotions, I make a syrup

of hawthorn and rose, decocting the hawthorn first and then adding the

rose to infuse at the end before straining and adding honey or maple

syrup; this preparation will help restore a sense of nurturance. The

tincture also helps – and I prefer to use it as a simple – either internally

(30 drops) or topically by rubbing a few drops into the center of the

sternum, around the level of the armpits. Hawthorn may also be used in

a foot bath. For a foot bath to heal the emotions, I combine it with Epsom

salts and lavender or rose petals.

To help the lungs, hawthorn may be used as a tincture (again, as a

simple, but in a fairly high dose – 50-80 drops), a decoction, or a foot

bath. For a foot bath to help the lungs, I might combine hawthorn with

antispasmodic herbs, such as black cohosh or valerian; with diaphoretics,

such as thyme or oregano; with other calming nervines, such as catnip or

lavender; with anti-inflammatory herbs, such as turmeric, ginger, licorice,

or Japanese knotweed; and with Epsom salts. It is not essential to include

all of these, but they are all good choices. Ginger and licorice also help

harmonize the other herbs, i.e., they help the combination work better as

a formula.

To help the physical heart, I usually give hawthorn as a tincture, but a

foot bath combined with turmeric, ginger, and/or Japanese knotweed

would also be excellent, as would a decoction combined with ginger and

Japanese knotweed, with rose added at the end after the heat is turned

off.

In our modern society, we often believe that rationality precludes seeing

the heart or the chest as “really” involved with emotions. And yet, our

language embeds the older views in phrases such as “get it off my chest”

and “with all my heart”, and Traditional Chinese Medicine also integrates

emotions with the body. Hawthorn works to support the physical heart

and lungs, as well as the emotional well being that these older traditions

associate with them. This specific combination lends invaluable support

and may open our hearts to the wisdom of the older traditions.

Hawthorn myths and lore

Heather Lanham

A hundred years I slept beneath a thorn

Until the tree was root and branches of my thought,

Until the whites petals blossomed in my crown.

From The Traveler by Kathleen Raine

In herbal circles, hawthorn is well known for its affinity to the

circulatory system. However, there is so much more hiding in the

history of this wonderful tree. For instance, hawthorn was often used

as a boundary marker as it formed thick hedges and is a very hardy

shrub. There are also numerous varieties of hawthorn, as it easily

and happily hybridizes.

The hawthorn is said to be what Christ's thorny crown was made

from and, because of that lore, it was often associated with ill omens

by followers of that faith. This ill-will has been acted out upon the

hawthorns at the Glastonbury Abbey numerous times. The

hawthorns there are said to be from Saint Joseph's staff. The legend

is that after Christ was crucified, Joseph traveled to that spot

bringing with him the Holy Grail. It is said he stuck his staff into the

ground before he went to sleep and woke the next morning to find it

had become a tree. Some stories continue on to say that this was a

sign that Christianity would flourish in England. The trees there were

cruelly cut down during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, again under

the reign of Cromwell, and once again most recently in 2010. The

attack on the tree in 2010 was said to be an anti-Christian attack.

The druids have long revered the hawthorn, giving it associations

with May, Beltane, holy wells, fairies, entrances to the other world,

and always with healing.

In May, the mayor of rural English villages would leave a blooming

branch of hawthorn at every house to welcome in the summer.

Traditional songs were sung as he went about his deliveries. While in

other places it was slightly feared for its association with the fae, it

was also believed to be at the threshold to the underworld; a place

fraught with danger for the random mortal who had paid no attention

to his location and stumbled into the other world. The original

maypoles were made from the hawthorn, which seems at odds with

the reverence and fear accorded this tree for its fae dwellers.

One of the tales of Merlin recounts that one of his students, Vivien,

was continuously pressing for more knowledge though the Merlin

said she was not ready. The story goes that after much chasing and

cajoling (by her), and finally the with-holding of her favors, she did

convince the Merlin to reveal deeper knowledge to her. Once he

revealed this knowledge, Vivien used it to trap him evermore in a

tree, and that tree was supposedly a hawthorn.

Another tale of hawthorn involves Thomas the Rhymer and the

Queen of Elfland. Thomas slept beneath a hawthorn and woke to find

himself elsewhere. The Queen stood before him with a rhyme about

the three roads that lay before him.

“O see ye not that narrow road,

So thick beset with thorns and briers?

That is the path of righteousness,

Tho after it but few enquires.

And see not ye that braid braid road,

That lies across that lily leven?

That is the path to wickedness, Tho some call it the road to heaven.

And see not ye that bonny road,

That winds about the fernie brae?

That is the road to fair Elfland,

Where thou and I this night maun gae.”

The tale continues on that Thomas eventually returned but with a

curse, or blessing depending on how one sees it. Thomas was ever

after unable to lie; to himself or others.

Though hawthorn has an often shady reputation in some areas, it

has also been a symbol of hope. Brides carried hawthorn to the altar

in ancient Greece as it was sacred to their god of marriage. Romans

saw hawthorn as sacred to their goddess Cardea, Roman goddess of

childbirth. The Welsh believed that their goddess Olwen left a track

of milky white hawthorn petals in the night sky, later known as the

Milky Way.

Hawthorn is an herb of much history and many uses. I love including

hawthorn in many of the teas I create for my family. It supports the

circulatory system wonderfully and, in my case, is used most often

as a preventative.

Hawthorn jelly is a wonderful way to enjoy the medicine of this tree.

It is tasty and most will be quite happy to have a spoon of jelly daily

and call it healthy!

Hawthorn Jelly

Ingredients

• about 2.5 lbs ripe hawthorn berries

• 5 +/- C water

• granulated sugar (see method for quantity required)

• juice of 1 lemon

Directions

Wash the hawthorn berries well and remove stalks along with any

damaged berries. Transfer the berries to a pan and cover with the

water. Bring to a simmer and cook for about an hour, or until the

berries are soft and have absorbed most of the water. Line a strainer

with a muslin cloth and pour the berries and their cooking liquid into

this. Allow the liquid to drain naturally into a bowl overnight (do not

squeeze the muslin or press with a spoon as this forces out

impurities that will make the jelly cloudy).

When the berries have finished dripping discard the fruit then

measure the volume of liquid you have. Add the liquid to a pan along

with 14 oz sugar for every 17 oz of liquid. Heat the mixture gently,

add the lemon juice and continue heating until all the sugar has

dissolved. As soon as the sugar has dissolved bring the jelly to a

rapid boil and continue cooking until the jelly begins to set. Measure

for the setting point by placing a plate in the fridge. Spoon a little of

the jelly onto the plate and if it forms a skin when you push it with

your finger or the back of a spoon, the gelling point has been

reached.

When ready allow the jelly to cool then pour into clean, sterilized jars

that have been warmed in the oven. Seal, label and store until

needed.

References

http://www.goldrootherbs.com/2013/10/13/materia-medica-crataegus-spp-sweet-tender-

tough-asnails/

http://greenmanramblings.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawthorn-and-third-road.html

http://www.methowvalleyherbs.com/2010/04/hawthorne-for-this-little-heart-of-mine.html

http://blog.chestnutherbs.com/spiced-hawthorn-pear-persimmon-

brandy?utm_source=feedly

http://www.druidry.org/library/trees/tree-lore-hawthorn

http://www.thegoddesstree.com/trees/Hawthorn.htm

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1337159/Glastonburys-2000-year-old-Holy-

Thorn-Tree-hacked-vandals.html#ixzz2m93b2C3v

http://books.google.com/booksei=uA2aUp6xKozpkQeQ64CoAg&output=text&id=WjcEAAAA

QAAJ&dq=hawthorn+tree+and+christianity&ots=4Jm8I9vHW7&q=hawthorn#v=snippet&q=

hawthorn&f=false

http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/miscellaneous/fetch-recipe.php?rid=misc-hawthorn-jelly

Healthy Fats for a Healthy Heart

Sarah Bedell Cook N.D.

Heart disease kills one in every four Americans. With a goal to prevent

heart attacks and strokes, the American Heart Association has promoted

a low-fat diet for decades. But the low-fat recommendation was never

well supported by science, and recent research raises serious questions

about its validity.

Low Fat

This might surprise you: women who eat a low-fat diet experience

virtually the exact same number of heart attacks, strokes, or other

cardiovascular diseases as women who do not restrict fat. This was the

finding of an 8-year study of almost 49,000 women published in the

Journal of the American Medical Association in 2006.1

1 Howard BV, Van Horn L, Hsia J et al. Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of cardiovascular disease: the Women’s

Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial. JAMA. 2006;295 (6):655-666.

One problem with a low-fat diet is that people tend to fill the void

with starchy foods and sugar. This is a problem because sugars set

off a series of events in our bodies that lead directly to heart disease.

When we eat too much sugar, our bodies convert it into a form of fat

that circulates in our blood called triglycerides. Our bodies then turn

these triglycerides into a form of cholesterol called small LDL

particles. I emphasize small because small LDLs, but not large LDLs,

are an important risk factor for heart disease.1 Eating sugar also

depletes our good cholesterol, the type that protects against heart

disease, called HDL.2 According to William Davis, cardiologist and

best-selling author of Wheat Belly, reducing or eliminating grains and

sugars from the diet is the best way to lower triglycerides, lower

small LDL, and avoid heart disease.3

Doctors, researchers, and scientists are coming to agree that a low-

fat diet is not the best way to avoid heart disease. Even the Harvard

School of Public Health says, “It is time to end the low-fat myth!” But

we are nowhere near as close to an agreement on what types of fats

are best or worst. Should we be using butter, margarine, canola oil,

or olive oil? I hope this article will help you decide which fats should

be kept IN and which should be kept OUT of a heart-healthy diet.

Fish

Fatty fish contain unique fats that we can get from virtually no other

food: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

These fats are omega-3 fatty acids that play an important role in

health. Most importantly, these omega-3 fats are anti-inflammatory.

Their benefit for heart health is confirmed. Fish oils lower the

1 Berneis KK, Krauss RM. Metabolic origins and clinical significance of LDL heterogeneity. J Lipid Res. 2002;43 (9):1363-1379.

2 Welsh JA, Sharma A, Abramson JL, Vaccarino V, Gillespie C, Vos MB. Caloric sweetener consumption and dyslipidemia among US adults. JAMA. 2010;303 (15):1490-1497.

3 Davis W. Triglycerides: the woefully neglected value on your cholesterol panel. Ascenta Health.

triglyceride level in the blood.1 Remember that triglycerides lead

directly to small LDLs and, hence, heart disease. Because of the

strong evidence linking fish intake with cardiovascular health, the

American Heart Association recommends eating fish two times per

week. The best are the fatty fish such as salmon, trout, herring,

anchovies, and sardines.

Fish? IN (especially fatty fish)

Partially Hydrogenated Oils/Trans Fats

Partially hydrogenated oils are found in shortening, margarine,

cookies, crackers, baked goods, and many other forms of packaged

foods. They contain a form of fat called trans fats.

Trans fats raise bad LDL cholesterol and lower good HDL cholesterol.

They also cause inflammation, which can damage blood vessels and

lead to heart disease.2 Women who eat four teaspoons of margarine

daily have a 50% greater risk of heart disease than those who rarely

eat it.3

It has been a long time coming, but virtually all public health and

medical organizations finally agree that trans fats cause heart

disease. On November 7, 2013, the FDA announced that it has plans

to ban trans fats from the American food supply. That’s right – they

will require that all processed food companies phase out use of

partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. This is excellent news for the

health of our nation and is expected to save thousands of lives.

Partially Hydrogenated Oils/Trans Fats? OUT

1 Skulas-Ray AC, Kris-Etherton PM, Harris WS, Vanden Heuvel JP, Wagner PR, West SG. Dose-

response effects of omega-3 fatty acids on triglycerides, inflammation, and endothelial function in healthy persons with moderate hypertriglyceridemia. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;93 (2):243-252.

2 Mozaffarian D, Pischon T, Hankinson SE et al. Dietary intake of trans fatty acids and systemic

inflammation in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79 (4):606-612.

3 Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Manson JE et al. Intake of trans fatty acids and risk of coronary heart

disease among women. Lancet. 1993;341 (8845):581-585.

Red Meat and Milk

Saturated animal fats might raise more controversy than any other

category of fats. For years, health organizations have warned us to

avoid “artery-clogging” saturated fats that reportedly cause heart

disease. Surprisingly, recent evidence does not support this

recommendation. On the contrary, nearly all long-term studies fail to

show any connection between dietary saturated fat intake and heart

attack.1

Why might we see no connection between saturated fat intake and

heart attacks? On closer examination, it turns out that saturated fat

intake increases large LDL cholesterol in our blood, but not small

LDL.2 Remember that it is the small LDLs that are the worst

offenders to the heart. Some saturated fats, like those in coconut oil,

are also very good at increasing the beneficial HDL cholesterol. Let’s

take a look at two of the most important sources of saturated fats in

the American diet: red meat and dairy.

Not all red meat is created equal. Conventional beef sold in the

United States comes primarily from cattle raised in confinement

animal feeding operations (CAFOs), fed various grains, and exposed

to antibiotics and hormones. In contrast, grass-fed beef comes from

cattle raised by grazing on pasture. The way the cattle are raised

affects the quality of the meat. Compared to conventional beef,

grass-fed beef is almost always lower in total fat, higher in omega-3

essential fatty acids, and higher in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).3

1 Siri-Tarino PW, Sun Q, Hu FB, Krauss RM. Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating

the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91 (3):535-546.

2 Mensink RP, Zock PL, Kester AD, Katan MB. Effects of dietary fatty acids and carbohydrates on the

ratio of serum total to HDL cholesterol and on serum lipids and apolipoproteins: a meta-analysis of 60 controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003;77 (5):1146-1155. 3 Clancy K. Greener Pastures: how grass-fed beef and milk contribute to healthy eating. Union of Concerned

Scientists. 2006

We already discussed the benefits of omega-3s and CLA decreases

the risk for heart attack,1

Whole milk dairy products are also a source of saturated fat, but a

review of studies to date shows no clear evidence that dairy

consumption is associated with heart disease.2 This lack of

association may be due to the fact that short chain saturated fats in

dairy have no effect on LDL cholesterol levels, saturated fat does not

increase small LDL, and milk fat increases beneficial HDL

cholesterol.2

Although I do recommend eating full fat dairy products, I beg you to

consider the quality of dairy that you eat. Conventional milk products

can be laced with antibiotics, hormones, and toxins from inorganic

cattle feed. Organic milk is safe from these toxins, and dairy from

grass-fed cows contains meaningful levels of conjugated linoleic acid

(CLA), which is known to protect against heart attacks.1

Red meat and dairy? IN (as long as it is organic and preferably

grass-fed)

Refined Vegetable Oils

Vegetable oils have long been touted as a preferable choice to

saturated animal fats. The American Heart Association continues to

stand by this claim. But vegetable oils do not necessarily deserve the

healthy reputation they have gained. Most vegetable oils (soybean,

corn, canola, cottonseed, and safflower oils) are processed with

chemicals, bleach, and deodorants. This process produces what we

call refined vegetable oils. The refining process damages the oils and

1 Smit LA, Baylin A, Campos H. Conjugated linoleic acid in adipose tissue and risk of myocardial

infarction. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;92 (1):34-40.

2 German JB, Gibson RA, Krauss RM et al. A reappraisal of the impact of dairy foods and milk fat on

cardiovascular disease risk. Eur J Nutr. 2009;48 (4):191-203.

produces toxins that damage our bodies, our blood vessels, and our

hearts.

Vegetable oils are also a concentrated source of omega-6 fatty acids.

Today Americans tend to eat 10-20 times as many omega-6 fats as

traditional cultures did. Although we do need to eat small amounts of

omega-6 fats, too many can create inflammation and heart disease.

A 2013 study published in the British Medical Journal showed that

replacing saturated fats with vegetable oils actually increased

chances of dying from heart attack.1

Refined vegetable oils? OUT

Eggs

Eggs are a significant source of dietary cholesterol. But our own liver

production of cholesterol significantly overshadows the amount we

eat in food. In fact studies show that eating 1-3 eggs per day has no

bad effect on blood cholesterol levels or cardiovascular risk.23 Egg

yolks are rich in antioxidants, like the carotenoids that make carrots

orange. Intake of 3 eggs per day increases levels of carotenoids in

the HDL cholesterol particles, which may help to prevent

cardiovascular disease.4 Eating 2 eggs per day can improve blood

sugar control and cholesterol profiles in people with diabetes.5

1 Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Leelarthaepin B et al. Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis. BMJ. 2013;346 e8707.

2 Hu FB, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB et al. A prospective study of egg consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease in men and women. JAMA. 1999;281 (15):1387-1394.

3 Njike V, Faridi Z, Dutta S, Gonzalez-Simon AL, Katz DL. Daily egg consumption in hyperlipidemic adults--effects on endothelial function and cardiovascular risk. Nutr J. 2010;9 28.

4 Blesso CN, Andersen CJ, Bolling BW, Fernandez ML. Egg intake improves carotenoid status by

increasing plasma HDL cholesterol in adults with metabolic syndrome. Food Funct. 2013;4 (2):213-

221.

5 Pearce KL, Clifton PM, Noakes M. Egg consumption as part of an energy-restricted high-protein diet improves blood lipid and blood glucose profiles in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Br J Nutr.

2011;105 (4):584-592.

A wonderful study published by Mother Earth News showed that

compared to conventional eggs, eggs from hens raised on pasture

had less cholesterol, less saturated fat, more omega-3 fats, more

vitamins A, D, E, and beta-carotene.1 Some hens are fed a diet

supplemented with flax seeds or other omega-3 rich food. Their eggs

are available as “omega-3 eggs,” which can be a good boost to heart

health.

Eggs? IN (especially pasture-raised or omega-3)

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a rich source of a type of fat called monounsaturated fat.

Most experts agree that this form of fat offers protection against

cardiovascular disease. It may be for this reason that olive oil has

earned its reputation as the “star of the Mediterranean diet.” The

Mediterranean diet is high in fat, but those fats come primarily from

olive oil, fish, nuts, cheese, and yogurt.

Earlier this year (April 2013) a study comparing the cardiovascular

effects of a Mediterranean diet to a low-fat diet was published in the

New England Journal of Medicine.2 Results of this study were

impressive, to say the least. Those who ate a Mediterranean diet

were 30% less likely to die of heart disease than those who ate a

low-fat diet. In this study, those assigned to the Mediterranean diet

supplemented their diet with at least ¼ cup of olive oil or nuts every

day. The results of this high-quality study published in a well-

respected medical journal are clear: healthy fats protect against

deaths from heart disease.

Olive oil? IN (make sure it is extra-virgin)

1 Long C, Alterman T. Meet Real Free-Range Eggs. Mother Earth News. 2007

2 Estruch R, Ros E, Salas-Salvadó J et al. Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a

Mediterranean Diet. N Engl J Med. 2013;368 (14):1279-1290.

A Heart Healthy Diet

Recent studies call into question the current, but seemingly obsolete,

recommendations of the American Heart Association when it comes

to dietary fat and heart disease.

The worst things you can eat for your heart are refined vegetable

oils, hydrogenated vegetable oils, refined grains, and sugars. All of

these create inflammation and produce the worst form of LDL

cholesterol (small LDL particles).

The best things you can eat for your heart are vegetables, fruits,

fatty fish, grass-fed beef, pastured eggs, beans, nuts, seeds, organic

and grass-fed dairy, coconut oil, and olive oil. Grains can be eaten in

moderation, but should be whole grains like quinoa, millet, and oats.

I do not believe that there is one perfect diet for everyone. We all

have different genetics, different conditions, and different tastes.

Although the only diet that is proven in peer-reviewed studies to

prevent heart disease is the Mediterranean diet, I am not convinced

that it is for everyone. It is most important to follow the general

guidelines discussed here, in a way that feels good to your body.

Health is about so much more than the most recent scientific studies.

If you are reading this magazine, you probably already know that it

is also about following your heart. So let’s all do that. Enjoy your

healthy fats and have a happy heart!

Sarah Bedell Cook, N.D. is a Naturopathic Doctor residing in Westminster, CO. She

has experience in clinical practice, nutrition education, and dietary supplement

sales. She is currently an instructor at the Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver, CO,

a staff writer at the Institute for Responsible Technology, and maintains a blog at

www.foodandplanet.com.

Warming the Winter Heart:

Hawthorn Folk Tincture

Merihelen Nunez

Only when time permits may I wish to engage in the divine process

of crafting with hawthorn. To say it speaks to my heart is no antic;

quite literally it opens, unblocks, shifts, protects, and supports the

very sacred core of my being. Hawthorn is, to me, one of the plants

that sings to the heart and soul, piecing together the relationships

we have for each other as well as ourselves.

Tincturing this plant is, as ceremony goes, something sacred and

practiced time and time again. Many people tincture its berries,

some find that the flowers and leaves suit them. I love to use both.

This is a personal preference and I find the collaboration amongst

the berries, leaves, and flowers to be more full and whole.

Observance of this acclaimed plant will only honor the antiquated

ways and traditions of the olden sages. In my opinion, to do this is

significant and necessary, for a plant with such influence and power

must be respected in sanctity and delight.

My love affair with hawthorn is humble, admiring, and respectful.

However, I relish in its energetic whimsy, receiving the vibes of

mischievous fairies about. I never hesitate to bask in its sweet red

berries, celebrating the love story it offers. Affection and emotion

both build and mend the foundation on hawthorn’s plot of desire

while it speaks to and addresses all matters of the heart.

I’m in love with creating folk tinctures, especially in times of the full

moon – perhaps some may find that backwards, beginning their

tinctures on the new moon – but I find the synergy of the plants and

this particular time in the lunar cycle to be quite significant. Plus, as

I’m a cancer, my inner moonchild is begging to connect with nature,

plants, and beautiful spirits during this magnificent occasion.

Honestly, the “to-do” solely depends on my mood. My process vastly

differs from time to time, and the sanctity comes as casual or

reverent as I choose it to be.

Making folk hawthorn tincture is so entirely simple that there isn’t

need for intimidation. All you need is to follow three easy steps; it’s

virtually foolproof. These steps are extremely flexible so no need for

worry about “messing” things up. Besides, any “mess” with plants

lies beauty within itself – ah heaven just to think about it.

What you need

• A clean glass vessel with a tight fitting lid. (Since I am a self-

proclaimed jar junkie I love to use canning jars for most my

tinctures)

• Vodka or brandy (I prefer vodka particularly for a hawthorn

tincture because it allows the flavor of this plant to come

through. But by all means, go forth and experiment! For a nice,

balanced maceration to take place I stay round the 80 proofish

area.)

• Hawthorn berries and/or hawthorn leaf and flower, fresh or

dried. (Because I do not live in an area that is abundant with

Hawthorn shrubs I use the dried hulls).

Notice I didn’t give specific amounts for virtually any of the above,

which is why this is a folk medicine tincture. Whether guided by

intuition of how much to make, experimentation, or the size of your

jar, everything will turn out just fine, I promise!

So during this process you can create your own sacred space for

ceremony if you so choose. You can hook it up ‘love’ style, adorning

your space with cardinal, rosy wines to warm the soul. Recite a

prayer or intention as a token of appreciation. When I’m in neither

one of those moods and it just doesn’t seem to suit my whimsy, I

channel my inner drunken bard, singing aloud in celebration and

dance, then it’s vodka all around the table, a little for me a little for

hawthorn, a drinky-pooh for me, a drank-drank for hawthorn. I

think no less of engaging in this tribute as I proclaim the blessings of

my guest of honor in joyous festivities and hoopla!

The process

• Fill your glass vessel with plant material (berries, leave, and

flowers) about 1/3 of the way full.

• Pour over alcohol covering the marc.

• Cap with tight fitting lid and store in a cool, darker place. No

need to shove it in your closet, just keep it away from sunny

window sills and such. A shelf or counter will serve well.

The berries will swell to at least twice their size if not thrice. (This is

usually the time where I split my crowding bottle into two.

Remember not to let these babies dry out, keep plenty of fluid over

the plant material.

During the time your tincture is macerating, you may notice that

your berries appear to turn a lighter brownish color. Rest assured

that this is completely normal. This means that you’re little

maceration is well on its way to becoming a full-fledged tincture.

Sweet, huh? Some like to allow their maceration to sit for at least

two weeks. I wait a complete two lunar cycles before decanting

mine. It’s okay if you forget to strain and bottle right away, no harm

no foul.

Now, agitate your bottle on a daily basis. I always think that I can

feel the energy of the plants I am tincturing, plus I dig transferring

my own chi to my crafty products.

Okay now here’s the scoop on why I part my hawthorn macerations

into two. Truth is, I just love the rosey-appley flavor that it imparts

to anything I add it to. One of the things I like to do with tincture

no. 2 is to create an elixir by adding enough raw honey to taste.

Elixirs are a delectable way to take your herbs and, sometimes when

I become overzealous with the honey, I will keep it in a jar by my

tea bar and add it to warm cups of herbal tea, and you know festive

spirits and such. It’s so yum you must try!

Hawthorn, Rose, Ginger Elixir

Amanda Klenner

Harvesting hawthorn berries (or haws) intentionally is a wonderful

practice in how to harvest a plant, because if you are picking the

haws mindfully you can enter an almost Zen-like state while building

a relationship with the plant. The hawthorn bush will gladly continue

to give as much as it can. But be cautious; if you harvest hawthorn

mindlessly, you will get stabbed with some big nasty thorns. It is a

wonderful reminder to be mindful.

When medicine making, I find formulas are best when they are made

mindfully as well. When I make medicine for myself and my family, I

look at specific situations and how the herbs can help both on a

physical level and on an energetic and emotional level as well. This

applies to some herbs more than others, but hawthorn is particularly

special.

As you have already read, hawthorn is a wonderful cardiovascular

tonic. With the rampant levels of inflammation-causing disease

today, we can all use some cardiovascular support in the form of

high anti-oxidant plant material. I could say I designed this elixir as

a general cardio tonic, but in reality I made it to fulfill a personal

need.

My family and I have been dealing with the slow, dwindling death of

my Grandpa. He is almost 90-years-old and has always been a

strong man. He was diagnosed with liver cancer a year ago and

given 6 months to live. He is now in hospice and still kicking, eating

cookies, watching his stocks, and enjoying his last days the best he

can, although he is getting weaker by the day. Watching a loved one

pass is a time of transformation for both the person passing and the

family. For some it might even be easier to close off one’s heart and

deal with the time of passing as a business, removing the sacred

context of caring for one who has cared for you for so many years.

I created this elixir not primarily as a cardiovascular tonic—although

it is wonderful for that—but to help my family with the slow

transition from life to death, to help them open their hearts and

minds to give my Grandpa the support that he needs emotionally,

not just physically, as he makes is way to heaven.

The herbs

Hawthorn, as you have already read, is a wonderful herb to open up

the heart to accept love, but it also opens the heart so we can give

love, process emotions, and experience our life in a way that allows

us to process things fully, then move on.

Rose is an herb that has a very large affinity for love and the heart.

It is also a cardiovascular tonic. In fact, the daily consumption of

rose hips has been shown to lower systolic blood pressure by 6%

and bad LDL cholesterol 6-8% after just six weeks. For these two

reasons I included rose, to fill the elixir with love and open the heart

to life. If you would like to learn more about rose, see our November

issue.

Ginger is a wonderful warming herb that keeps things flowing. A little

bit of ginger adds a spicy bite, helps improve blood flow, and is full

of anti-oxidants. I added ginger to this remedy for its ability to move

things outward. Again, in our family feelings tend to get bottled up

and stuck. Ginger is here to encourage the movement of these

feelings out so they can be fully expressed and not held on to.

Ingredients

2 parts hawthorn berry

1 part rose hips

¼ part fresh ginger – grated

Brandy or apple cider vinegar if you would prefer to make an oxymel

Honey

Directions

Fill the container you are using for this recipe with your herbs. Leave

at least 1/3 of the jar without any herbs in it. When you add the

liquid, the herbs expand a lot and will make a big mess if you don’t

leave enough space.

Pour brandy over your herbs, filling the jar almost to the top, leaving

about ¼ inch head space.

Put a cap on the jar and let it sit overnight.

In the morning add more brandy – your herbs will drink it up

overnight.

Cap the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark, dry place for 6-8 weeks.

Remove the lid, strain the herbs, and squeeze out all of the brandy.

Place the herbs back in the jar, you can make another batch with the

same herbs.

Once you have your infused brandy, measure it and add about ¼ of

that in honey. For example, if you have 1 cup of extract, add ¼ cup

of honey. If you have 2 cups add ½ cup of honey. Stir your mixture

well until it is combined. You may need to heat it over low heat for a

short period of time (don’t boil it!) for the honey to incorporate into

your infusion evenly.

Bottle it up and take 1 teaspoon 2-3 times a day as you like for

cardiovascular health. If you are dealing with grief, enjoy some when

you feel chest tightness, or feel as if you are pushing away from the

cause of your grief.

You can enhance both your emotional and physical health by

enjoying some hawthorn elixir daily.

Love fully, enjoy those around you when you can, and open your

heart while you can to those you love.

Essential Oil Safety during Pregnancy

Lea Harris

If you are pregnant, nursing, or using the essential oils on or around

young children, it is especially important to be sure the oils you are

using are safe for you to use. Although there is not much information

out there on exactly if and how much of the essential oil constituents

cross the placenta, it’s safe to assume it does cross the placenta and

can affect the growing baby.

General

Here are some general guidelines for essential oil use during

pregnancy:

It is not recommended essential oils be used on a daily basis, unless

you need them for relieving nausea or for helping with insomnia.

1% dilution is advised for topical dilution over a large area, and up to

3% for small areas. Never use “neat” (undiluted).

Choose to diffuse, rather than inhale via steam.

Internal use is not advised.

Avoid absolutes or solvent-extracted essential oils. Use pure essential

oils only.

There are some constituents that are not recommended for internal

(including inhalation) or topical use during pregnancy. I have listed

them below, along with the essential oils with enough % of the

constituent to be a concern.

Camphor

This oil is known to cross the placenta and become very toxic to the

growing baby. Essential oils to avoid due to camphor content:

Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora)

Ho Leaf (Cinnamomum camphora)

French/Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) (fenchone is also a

concern with this one)

Rosemary, (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Wormwood, (Artemisia absinthium)

Sabinyl acetate

This has been shown to cause deformities in fetuses, or even

abortions. Essential oils to avoid due to sabinyl acetate content:

• Juniper (Juniperus pfitzeriana)

• Savin (Juniperus sabina)

• Spanish Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Methyl salicylate

Methyl salicylate causes deformities in developing mammals at high

oral doses. Essential oils to avoid due to methyl salicylate content:

• Birch (Betula lenta)

• Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

Apiole

Apiole is a abortifacient. Essential oils to avoid due to apiole content:

• Dill Seed (Anethum graveolens)

• Indian Dill Seed (Anethum sowa)

• Parsley Leaf and Parsley Seed (Petroselinum sativum)

Pulegone

This oil can cause liver toxicity for the mother, and is not

recommended for internal use; limit external use. Essential oils to

avoid due to pulegone content:

• Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)

Anethole

Anethole can prevent implantation. Essential oils to avoid due to

anethole content:

Anise (Pimpinella anisum)

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Myrtle (Backhousia anisata)

Thujone

Thujone is neurotoxic. Essential oils to avoid due to thujone content:

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

Thuja (Thuja occidentalis)

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Elemene

Elemene can restrict blood vessel growth. Essential oils to avoid due

to elemene content:

• Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Citral

Citral is teratogenic and can cause malformations to the baby.

Essential oils to avoid due to citral content:

• Lemon Basil (Ocimum x citriodorum)

• Australian Lemon Balm (Eucalyptus staigeriana)

• Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)

• May Chang (Litsea cubeba)

• Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca teretifolia)

• Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)

• Lemon Tea Tree (Leptospermum petersonii)

• Lemon Thyme (Thymus x citriodorus)

• Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla)

Safrole

Safrole can cause kidney and liver tumors to develop in the baby.

Essential oils to avoid due to safrole content:

• Anise (Pimpinella anisum)

• Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora)

• Cinnamon Bark and Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum verum)

• Ho Leaf (Cinnamomum camphora)

• Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) (myristicin is also a concern with this

one)

Other essential oils to avoid are

• Carrot Seed (Daucus carota) as it may prevent implantation

• Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia) as it may cause toxicity to the embryo

• Frankincense (Boswellia papyrifera) due to the constituent octyl

acetate

• Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) due to the constituent pinocamphone

• Oregano (Origanum onites) and other species

• Rue (Ruta graveolens) due to short-chain ketones

• Yarrow Achillea millefolium) due to various constituents

Essential oils shown to be safe during pregnancy when

dilution guidelines are followed:

• Copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffii)

• Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

• Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

• Fir Needle (Abies sachalinensis, Abies sibirica, Abies alba)

• Frankincense (Boswellia frereana, Boswellia sacra, Boswellia

serrata, Boswellia neglecta, Boswellia rivae)

• Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi)

• Juniper berry (Juniperus communis)

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia)

• Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)

• Neroli (Citrus x aurantium)

• Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora)

• Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

• Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

• Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

• Tangerine (Citrus reticulata)

• Thyme ct linalool (Thymus vulgaris)

How to Feel Flower Essences

Working in You

Charris Denny

When people begin taking a flower essence, particularly for the

first time, they may feel unsure about what to expect or feel. The

changes that flower essences inspire in people can be either very

subtle or quite dramatic, depending on what issues are being

addressed. When taking a flower essence that is strongly indicated

for their symptoms, some people may experience what is known

as a healing crisis. During a healing crisis, the user may find that

their symptoms increase in intensity and/or frequency for a short

while before beginning to subside. For example, if you are taking

a flower essence indicated for anxiety, you might find that for a

period of time feelings of anxiety may increase. If this happens to

an extent that it is causing great discomfort, one way of dealing

with it is to decrease the current dosage a bit and then work your

way back up as you feel ready. Another problem that can arise is

that a person may be working with flower essences and, after

beginning to find relief, they go overboard with them. I have seen

the mentality of “If addressing one of my issues is working well,

then why don’t I address more at the same time!” This can

backfire and cause a great deal of extremely uncomfortable

emotional upheaval. It is best to just address one or two things at

a time and move on once they have been resolved to your

satisfaction.

While working with flower essences, there are a few ways that you

can track your progress if so inclined. The first time you take an

essence, you may want to set some time aside to work with it.

When I try a particular essence for the first time, I like to go into

a very relaxed and open state so that I can sense the shift or

change that may take place in my thoughts, feelings, or physical

body. A progressive muscle relaxation exercise is a great way to

relax your body and clear your mind. Follow this link:

https://naturalherballiving.com/guided-meditation-video/ to a

recorded exercise if you would like to give it a try. Once you are in

a relaxed state, take the essence and sit quietly to observe how

you feel. Do you feel any physical sensations? Sometimes

memories that are attached to whatever feeling or emotion you

are treating will show up. Maybe you will feel a strong swell of

emotion, or see something in your mind’s eye that is symbolic of

what the flower essence is indicated for. Everyone has different

reactions to this exercise, so don’t be disappointed if nothing

terribly dramatic happens. This activity is intended to help you

check in with yourself and begin your understanding of and

connection to the flower essence you are working with.

The best way to measure how well an essence is working for you

is to keep track of your experience over the course of each

essence’s or formulation’s use. You may want to keep track for

just a few days or a week to make sure you are moving in the

right direction. You may even wish to keep track for the duration

of your flower essence work. My clients have had success with

keeping a small notebook with them, and several times

throughout the day- or whenever they are thinking or feeling the

target thought or behavior- rating their experience on a scale of

1-10 for severity. Over the space of a day, week, or month the

transformation can be observed. As mentioned before, you may

experience an uptick in your symptoms, but that should not last

for long, and soon you should begin to observe and feel a

difference in your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

When used appropriately, flower essences have a tendency to be

relatively subtle, causing a gentle and gradual shift in our

thoughts and feelings as opposed to a singular dramatic Ah-HA!

moment. But also, don’t be surprised if they cause a rapid

transformation in you, because they are profoundly deep and

effective facilitators of change for the better in us.

A Glossary of Herbalism

Nina Katz

Do you feel befuddled by all of those terms? Are you curious about

what a menstruum might be, or a nervine? Wondering what the

exact difference is between an infusion and a decoction? Or what

it means to macerate? Read on; the herbalist lexicographer will

reveal it all!

Adaptogen n. An herb that enhances one's ability to

thrive despite stress. Eleuthero, or

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus

senticosus) is a well-known adaptogen.

Aerial parts n. pl. The parts of a plant that grow above

ground.

Stems, leaves, and flowers are all aerial

parts, in contrast to roots and rhizomes.

Alterative n. An herb that restores the body to health

gradually and sustainably by strengthening

one or more of the body's systems, such

as the digestive or lymphatic system, or

one or more of the vital organs, such as

the liver or kidneys. Burdock (Arctium

lappa) is an alternative.

adj. Restoring health gradually, as by

strengthening one or more of the body's

systems or vital organs.

Anthelmintic n. A substance that eliminates intestinal

worms.

Anthelmin adj. Being of or concerning a substance that

eliminates intestinal worms.

Anti-catarrhal n. A substance that reduces or slows down

the production of phlegm.

adj. Being of or concerning a substance that

reduces or slows down the production of

phlegm.

Anti-emetic n. A substance that treats nausea. Ginger

(Zingiber officinale) is anti-emetic.

adj. Being of or concerning a substance that

treats nausea.

Anti-microbial n. An herb or a preparation that helps the

body fight off microbial infections, whether

viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic. Herbal

anti-microbials may do this by killing the

microbes directly, but more often achieve

this by enhancing immune function and

helping the body to fight off disease and

restore balance.

adj. Being of or concerning an herb or a

preparation that helps the body fight off

microbial infections.

Aperient n. A gentle laxative, such as seaweed,

plantain seeds (Plantago spp.), or ripe

bananas.

adj. Being of or concerning a gentle laxative.

Aphrodisiac n. A substance that enhances sexual interest

or desire.

adj. Being of or relating to a substance that

enhances sexual interest or desire.

Astringent n. A food, herb, or preparation that causes

tissues to constrict, or draw in. Astringents

help stop bleeding, diarrhea, and other

conditions in which some bodily substance

is flowing excessively. Some astringents,

such as Wild Plantain (Plantago major),

draw so powerfully that they can remove

splinters.

adj Causing tissues to constrict, and thereby

helping to stop excessive loss of body

fluids.

Bitter n. A food, herb, or preparation that

stimulates the liver and digestive organs

through its bitter flavor. Dandelion

(Taraxacum officinale) and Gentian

(Gentiana lutea) are both bitters. Also

called digestive bitter.

Carminative n. A food, herb, or preparation that reduces

the buildup or facilitates the release of

intestinal gases. Cardamom (Amomum

spp. and Elettaria spp) and Fennel

(Foeniculum vulgare) are carminatives.

adj. Characterized as reducing the buildup or

facilitating the release of intestinal gases.

Carrier Oil n. A non-medicinal oil, such as olive or

sesame oil, used to dilute an essential oil.

Catarrh n. An inflammation of the mucous

membranes resulting in an overproduction

of phlegm.

Compound v. To create a medicinal formula using two or

more components.

n. An herbal preparation consisting of two or

more herbs.

Compress n. A topical preparation consisting of a cloth

soaked in a liquid herbal extract, such as

an infusion or decoction, and applied,

usually warm or hot, to the body. A

washcloth soaked in a hot ginger decoction

and applied to a sore muscle is a

compress.

Decoct v. To prepare by simmering in water, usually

for at least 20 minutes. One usually

decocts barks, roots, rhizomes, hard

seeds, twigs, and nuts.

Decoction n. An herbal preparation made by simmering

the plant parts in water, usually for at

least 20 minutes.

Demulcent n. An herb with a smooth, slippery texture

soothing to the mucous membranes, i.e.

the tissues lining the respiratory and

digestive tracts. Slippery elm (Ulmus

rubra), marshmallow root (Althaea

officinalis), and sassafras (Sassafras

albidum, Sassafras officinale) are all

demulcents.

adj. Having a smooth, slippery texture that

soothes the mucous membranes.

Diaphoretic n. An herb or preparation that opens the

pores of the skin, facilitates sweat, and

thereby lowers fevers. In Chinese

medicine, diaphoretics are said to “release

the exterior.”• Yarrow (Achillea

millefolium) is a diaphoretic.

adj. Opening the pores, facilitating sweat, and

thereby lowering fevers.

Digestive n. An herb, food, or preparation that

promotes the healthy breakdown,

assimilation, and elimination of food, as by

gently stimulating the digestive tract in

preparation for a meal. Dandelion

(Taraxacum officinale) and bitter salad

greens are digestives.

adj. 1 Concerning or being part of the bodily

system responsible for the breakdown,

assimilation, and elimination of food.

adj. 2 Promoting the healthy breakdown,

assimilation, and/or elimination of food.

Diuretic n. A substance that facilitates or increases

urination. Diuretics can improve kidney

function and treat swelling. Excessive use

of diuretics can also tax the kidneys.

Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica),

cucumbers, and coffee are all diuretics.

adj. Facilitating or increasing urination.

Emmenagogue n. An herb or preparation that facilitates or

increases menstrual flow. Black cohosh

(Cimicifuga racemosa) is an

emmenagogue. Emmenagogues are

generally contraindicated in pregnancy.

adj. Facilitating or increasing menstrual flow.

Essential Oil n. An oil characterized by a strong aroma,

strong taste, the presence of terpines, and

by vaporizing in low temperatures.

Essential oils are components of many

plants, and when isolated, make fairly

strong medicine used primarily externally

or for inhalation, and usually not safe for

internal use.

n. 1 A preparation made by chemically

removing the soluble parts of a substance

into a solvent or menstruum. Herbalists

often make extracts using water, alcohol,

glycerin, vinegar, oil, or combinations of

these. Infusions, medicinal vinegars,

tinctures, decoctions, and medicinal oils

are all extracts.

n. 2 A tincture.

Extract v. To remove the soluble parts of a substance

into a solvent or menstruum by chemical

means.

Febrifuge n. An herb or preparation that lowers fevers.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), ginger

(Zingiber officinale), and boneset

(Eupatorium perfoliatum) are all

febrifuges.

Galactagogue n. A substance that increases the production

or flow of milk; a remedy that aids

lactation. Nettle (Urtica dioica) and hops

(Humulus lupulus) are galactagogues.

Glandular n. A substance that treats the adrenal,

thyroid, or other glands. Nettle seeds

(Urtica dioica) are a glandular for the

adrenals.

adj. Relating to or treating the adrenal, thyroid,

or other glands.

Hepatic n. A substance that treats the liver.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a

hepatic.

Hypnotic n. An herb or preparation that induces sleep.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and

valerian (Valeriana officinale) are both

hypnotics.

adj. Inducing sleep.

Infuse v. To prepare by steeping in water, especially

hot water, straining, and squeezing the

marc.

Infusion n. A preparation made by first steeping one

or more plants or plant parts in water,

most often hot water, and then straining

the plant material, usually while squeezing

the marc. An infusion extracts the flavor,

aroma, and water-soluble nutritional and

medicinal constituents into the water.

Long Infusion n. An infusion that steeps for three or more

hours. Long infusions often steep

overnight.

Lymphatic n. A substance that stimulates the circulation

of lymph or tonifies the vessels or organs

involved in the circulation or storage of

lymph.

Macerate v. To soak a plant or plant parts in a

menstruum so as to extract the medicinal

constituents chemically.

Marc n. The plant material left after straining a

preparation made by steeping, simmering,

or macerating.

Menstruum n. (Plural, menstrua or menstruums.) The

solvent used to extract the medicinal

and/or nutritional constituents from a

plant. Water, alcohol, vinegar, and glycerin

are among the more common menstrua.

Mucilage n. A thick, slippery, demulcent substance

produced by a plant or microorganism.

Mucilaginous n. Having or producing mucilage; demulcent.

Okra, marshmallow root (Althaea

officinalis), sassafras (Sassafras albidum,

Sassafras officinale), and slippery elm

(Ulmus rubra) are all mucilaginous.

Nervine n. An herb or preparation that helps with

problems traditionally associated with the

nerves, such as mental health issues,

insomnia, and pain.

adj. Helping with problems traditionally

associated with the nerves, such as mental

health issues, insomnia, and pain.

Pectoral n. A substance that treats the lungs or the

respiratory system.

Poultice n. A mass of plant material or other

substances, usually mashed, gnashed,

moistened, or heated, and placed directly

on the skin. Sometimes covered by a cloth

or adhesive. A plantain (Plantago spp.)

poultice can draw splinters out.

Rhizome n. A usually horizontal stem that grows

underground, is marked by nodes from

which roots grow down, and branches out

to produce a network of new plants

growing up from the nodes.

Salve [sæv]

n.

A soothing ointment prepared from

beeswax combined with oil, usually

medicinal oil, and used in topical

applications.

Short Infusion n. An infusion that steeps for a relatively

short period of time, usually 5-30 minutes.

Sedative n. A substance that calms and facilitates

sleep. Valerian (Valeriana officinale) is a

sedative.

Sedative adj. Calming and facilitating sleep.

Simple n. An herbal preparation, such as a tincture

or decoction, made from one herb alone.

Simpler n. An herbalist who prepares and

recommends primarily simples rather than

compounds.

Spp. abbr.

n.pl.

Species. Used to indicate more than one

species in the same botanical family.

Echinacea spp. includes both Echinacea

purpurea and Echinacea angustifolium,

among other species. Plantago spp.

includes both Plantago major and Plantago

lanceolata.

Stimulant n. An herb or preparation that increases the

activity level in an organ or body system.

Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) is an

immunostimulant; it stimulates the

immune system. Cayenne (Capsicum spp.)

is a circulatory stimulant. Rosemary is a

stimulant to the nervous, digestive, and

circulatory systems.

Sudorific adj. Increasing sweat or facilitating the release of

sweat; cf. diaphoretic.

Syrup n. A sweet liquid preparation, often made by

adding honey or sugar to a decoction.

Tea n. A drink made by steeping a plant or plant

parts, especially Camellia sinensis.

Tisane n. An herbal beverage made by decoction or

short infusion and not prepared from the

tea plant (Camellia sinensis).

Tincture n. A preparation made by macerating one or

more plants or plant parts in a

menstruum, usually alcohol or glycerin,

straining, and squeezing the marc in order

to extract the chemical constituents into

the menstruum.

v. To prepare by macerating in a menstruum,

straining, and squeezing the marc in order

to extract the chemical constituents.

Tonic n. A substance that strengthens one or more

organs or systems, or the entire organism.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a general

tonic, as well as a specific kidney, liver,

and hair tonic. Red raspberry leaf (Rubus

idaeus) is a reproductive tonic; Mullein

(Verbascum thapsus) is a respiratory

tonic.

Tonify v. To strengthen. Nettle (Urtica dioica)

tonifies the entire body.

Volatile Oil n. An oil characterized by volatility, or rapid

vaporization at relatively low

temperatures; cf. essential oil.

Vulnerary n. A substance that soothes and heals

wounds. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

is an excellent vulnerary.

adj. Being or concerning a substance that

soothes and heals wounds.

Disclaimer

Nothing provided by Natural Living Mamma LLC, Natural Herbal

Living Magazine, or Herb Box should be considered medical

advice. Nothing included here is approved by the FDA and the

information provided herein is for informational purposes only.

Always consult a botanically knowledgeable medical practitioner

before starting any course of treatment, especially if you are

pregnant, breastfeeding, on any medications, or have any health

problems. Natural Living Mamma LLC is not liable for any action or

inaction you take based on the information provided here.

Special Thanks The following images were used with a Creative Commons License via

WikiMedia Commons. Per The Authors of these pictures do not indorse or

support our product in any way. We thank them for their fine work and

wish to acknowledge their work.

Page 8: Source Commons.wikimedia.org Author: Vladimer Shioshvili

Page 9: Source: Flickr Author: David Wilmot (daramot) from Wimbledon, UK.

Page 27: Source: Commons.wikimedia.org Author: Mats Stafseng Einarsen

Page 43: Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/inferis/98747420/ Author: Inferis