The white thorn of our countryside hedges. We dry its flowers to make a gentle infusion to drink in the evening, when the heart races with emotion and you find it hard to settle down.
Who she really is
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is the white thorn of our countryside hedges. We dry its flowers and leaves to make a gentle infusion to drink in the evening, when the heart races with emotion and you find it hard to settle down.
Her story
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is the white thorn of our hedges, that prickly shrub that covers itself with white flowers in May. We dry its flowers and young leaves to drink a gentle infusion, the one for evenings when the heart races with emotion and you cannot manage to settle down.
Where it comes from
This one, you know it without knowing it. It is the thorn of the hedges, the one that borders the sunken lanes and pricks your fingers when you want to pick a blackberry too far away. It is called the white thorn, or the May thorn, because in spring it covers itself with a cloud of small white flowers that smell of the countryside. In our parts, we used to plant these thorny bushes to close off the fields, long before barbed wire.
It is a cousin of the apple tree and the wild rose, from the large Rosaceae family. My grandmother used to climb on a small stool to reach the flowering branches, just before the flowers opened completely, when they were still in tight, fragrant buds. We dried them in the shade, spread out on an old sheet, and it filled the attic with fragrance. In autumn, the shrub gives its haws, those small red berries that birds feast on.
How it does you good
Hawthorn is the plant for hearts that race. No worries, I am not talking about doctors: I am talking about that heart that thumps when we are upset, when a worry stays with us, when we have thought too much all day and can no longer switch off. The elders used to give a cup in the evening to help let all that fall away, gently.
It is a calm and patient plant, which soothes without knocking you out. It does not put you to sleep suddenly like a shutter being closed: it settles you, very gently, it undoes the evening knots so that sleep can come on its own. Many people find it soothing to drink to relax after a stirring day, and to find a little inner peace before going up to bed.
How I prepare it
Nothing could be simpler. A teaspoon of dried flowers, simmering water poured over them, the cup covered for about ten minutes so as not to let the fragrance escape. You strain, a tiny dash of honey if you like, and you drink it warm, quietly, without looking at your phone.
But where hawthorn is really good is in company. On its own, it is a bit discreet. Marry it with a pinch of lemon balm for sweetness, or with linden and passionflower for really difficult evenings, and you get an evening herbal tea that settles everyone down. That is my way of doing things: never one plant against a symptom, rather a small bouquet that works together.
Granny's little recipes
The evening herbal tea that settles
A teaspoon of hawthorn flowers, a pinch of lemon balm or linden, simmering water over it. Cover for eight to ten minutes, strain, and drink warm an hour before bed. To be made when the day has shaken you up a bit too much.
The infusion for emotional evenings
A good teaspoon of flowers alone, ten minutes of covered infusion, a touch of honey. Drink it calmly, taking a good breath between each sip. It is the cup for evenings when the heart thumps with emotion and you just need to calm down.
What you need to know before taking it
Hawthorn is a gentle plant, but it requires a bit of common sense. If you are already taking something for the heart or for blood pressure, do not start on your own: ask your doctor's advice first before drinking it every day. As a precaution, we also leave it aside if you are expecting a baby or if you are breastfeeding, unless you have been told otherwise.
And listen to me carefully: an infusion helps to settle down in the evening, it does not replace your doctor's advice. If your heart often races, for no reason, or if you feel something that worries you in your chest, it is not a herbal tea you need, it is an appointment. Go see someone, and do not wait.
Granny answers your questions
What do we harvest from hawthorn?
In spring, the white flowers and young leaves, just before the flowers open completely. We dry them in the shade, well spread out. In autumn, we can also gather the haws, its small red berries.
When to drink it?
In the evening, especially. After a day that has stirred you up, when you are pacing around, a warm cup helps to let your shoulders drop before bed.
Can we mix it with other plants?
Of course, and that is even how I prefer it. A pinch of lemon balm for sweetness, a little linden or passionflower for sleep, and there you have a beautiful evening herbal tea.
See also
- For nights spent tossing and turning: Difficult sleep.
- When the mind will not stop: Soothe the mind and nervousness.
- Its evening companions: passionflower, linden and lemon balm.
- And my favorite recipe for sleeping: my evening herbal tea.
What I use her for
- · 01It is the white thorn of our hedges, which blooms in May and produces red haws in autumn.
- · 02We drink its dried flowers and leaves in a gentle infusion, preferably in the evening.
- · 03It is the plant for hearts that race with emotion and for evenings when you cannot seem to settle down.
- · 04It blends beautifully with passionflower, lemon balm and linden in an evening herbal tea.
Granny’s little recipes
The evening herbal tea that settles
In the evening, one hour before bed
What you’ll need
- 1 teaspoon of dried hawthorn flowers
- A pinch of dried lemon balm or linden
- 25 cl of simmering water
How I go about it
- 01Mix the hawthorn and lemon balm (or linden) in your cup.
- 02Pour the simmering water over it and cover.
- 03Leave to infuse for 8 to 10 minutes, strain, and drink warm, quietly.
The infusion for emotional evenings
When the heart thumps a bit too much
What you’ll need
- 1 well-rounded teaspoon of dried hawthorn flowers
- 25 cl of simmering water
- A dash of honey, if you like
How I go about it
- 01Pour the simmering water over the flowers.
- 02Cover and let it infuse for 10 minutes.
- 03Strain, add just a touch of sugar, and drink it quietly while taking a deep breath.
What to know first
This information doesn’t replace advice from a healthcare professional. Health Disclaimer →
Her identity card
- Latin name
- Crataegus monogyna
If you remember just one thing
- 01It is the white thorn of our hedges, which blooms in May and produces red haws in autumn.
- 02We drink its dried flowers and leaves in a gentle infusion, preferably in the evening.
- 03It is the plant for hearts that race with emotion and for evenings when you cannot seem to settle down.
- 04It blends beautifully with passionflower, lemon balm and linden in an evening herbal tea.
Your questions
In spring, the white flowers and young leaves, just before the flowers open completely: that is when they are most fragrant. We dry them in the shade, spread out well. In autumn, you can also gather the haws, those small red berries.
In the evening, mostly. After a day that has shaken you up, when you feel you are running in circles, a warm cup helps you drop your shoulders and settle down before bed.
Of course, and that is actually how I prefer it. A pinch of lemon balm for sweetness, a little linden or passionflower for sleep, and there you have a lovely evening herbal tea.
