Botanical Library
Hawthorn
Holistic tradition
🍄Image: HawthornAdd an image URL to this ingredient in Admin to replace this placeholder.
At a glance
Where it's from
Native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia.
Look & taste
A thorny tree with white blossoms and small red haws (berries). Mild, tart
Signature compounds
Flavonoids and oligomeric proanthocyanidins.
Traditionally used for
The classic Western 'heart herb,' used to strengthen and steady the heart.
In Canada, we can say...
Used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain and support cardiovascular health in adults.
Did you know?
In folklore the hawthorn was a fairy tree - it was considered bad luck to cut one down.
History & natural history
The premier Western heart tonic for over a century.
What we're actually allowed to say
🇨🇦 Health Canada
✓ Permitted: Used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain and support cardiovascular health in adults.
How to use it
As a berry/leaf/flower extract, tea or capsule.
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Hawthorn isn't in stock yet. Tell us you'd like it and we'll consider adding it.
Request Hawthorn →Side effects & safety
Check with a practitioner if symptoms persist, or before use if taking heart medication (digoxin) or blood-pressure medication.
A note on how to read this page. Traditional (TCM / Ayurveda) and holistic notes are cultural and historical context, offered for education — not medical advice or health claims. Health Canada's permitted claims reflect what regulators have assessed. Emerging research is early, and not a promise of results. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always talk to your (or your pet's) health professional before starting a supplement.