Hawthorn Berry

Crataegus monogyna  Hawthorn berry was historically used for poor digestion of fats, and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine use it to treat digestive sluggishness with accumulation of waste and stagnant energy (known in TCM as "food stagnation"). It is renowned as one of our best cardiac tonics, helping to restore strength and tone to the heart muscle and to regulate heartbeat. It can also be useful for strengthening connective tissue weakened by inflammation. A heart medicine in all senses, it may calm anxious or hyperactive children, and is wonderful for heartache and grief. **We recommend that people taking heart medications use hawthorn only with the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Because hawthorn may have a similar effect to beta blockers, it may become necessary to adjust the dose of cardiac medication. This may not be a full list of all possible contraindications.**   THS recommends that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using herbal