Edible Parts: Fruit  Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses: Coffee  Tea

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 9, 12, 183]. A dry and mealy texture, they are not very appetizing[K]. The fruit can be used for jams and preserves[9]. The fruit pulp can be dried, ground into a meal and mixed with flour in making bread etc[46, 183]. The fruit is about 1cm in diameter[200]. There are up to five fairly large seeds in the centre of the fruit, these often stick together and so the effect is of eating a cherry-like fruit with a single seed[K]. Young leaves and young shoots - raw[5, 177]. A tasty nibble, they are nice in a salad[K]. Young leaves are a tea substitute[21, 46, 177, 183]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[12, 21, 183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiarrhythmic  Antispasmodic  Astringent  Cardiotonic  Diuretic  Hypotensive  Malaria  Sedative  
Tonic  Vasodilator

Hawthorn is an extremely valuable medicinal herb. It is used mainly for treating disorders of the heart and circulation system, especially angina[254]. Western herbalists consider it a 'food for the heart', it increases the blood flow to the heart muscles and restores normal heart beat[254]. This effect is brought about by the presence of bioflavonoids in the fruit, these bioflavonoids are also strongly antioxidant, helping to prevent or reduce degeneration of the blood vessels[254]. The fruit is antispasmodic, cardiac, diuretic, sedative, tonic and vasodilator[4, 9, 21, 46, 165]. Both the fruits and flowers of hawthorns are well-known in herbal folk medicine as a heart tonic and modern research has borne out this use. The fruits and flowers have a hypotensive effect as well as acting as a direct and mild heart tonic[222]. They are especially indicated in the treatment of weak heart combined with high blood pressure[222], they are also used to treat a heart muscle weakened by age, for inflammation of the heart muscle, arteriosclerosis and for nervous heart problems[21]. Prolonged use is necessary for the treatment to be efficacious[222]. It is normally used either as a tea or a tincture[222]. Hawthorn is combined with ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) to enhance poor memory, working by improving the blood supply to the brain[254]. The bark is astringent and has been used in the treatment of malaria and other fevers[7]. The roots are said to stimulate the arteries of the heart[218].

Charcoal  Fuel  Hedge  Hedge  Rootstock  Wood

A good hedge plant, it is very tolerant of neglect and is able to regenerate if cut back severely, it makes a good thorny stock-proof barrier[186] and resists very strong winds. It can be used in layered hedges[11, 29]. The plant is often used as a rootstock for several species of garden fruit such as the medlar (Mespilus germanica) and the pear (Pyrus communis sativa)[4]. Wood - very hard and tough but difficult to work[7, 46, 61]. It has a fine grain and takes a beautiful polish but is seldom large enough to be of great value[4]. It is used for tool handles and making small wooden articles etc[4, 7, 46, 61]. The wood is valued in turning and makes an excellent fuel, giving out a lot of heat, more so even than oak wood[4]. Charcoal made from the wood is said to be able to melt pig iron without the aid of a blast[4].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Espalier  Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants