Witnessed by: Western · Unani
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), of the Rosaceae family. Dense thorny shrub or small tree of the hedgerow; native range: Hedgerows, scrub and woodland edges of Europe, north-west Africa and western Asia. Globally recognized as zarur in Arabic, and common hawthorn, whitethorn, quickthorn, may in English. The part used is flowering top and haw (fruit). Sharp-thorned twigs, scented white blossom, and single-stoned crimson haws of a mealy, faintly sweet-astringent flesh.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
HAWTHORN
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- hawthorn
- Scientific name
- Crataegus monogyna Jacq.
- Family
- Rosaceae
Form
- Part used
- flowering top and haw (fruit)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- sour · sweet · astringent
- Unani
- sour · astringent
Temperature
Western: cool
Unani: cold (2nd degree)
convergence: all {witness_count} witnesses read it cool — a mild, restorative coolness to the heart
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- heart · circulation · blood
- Unani
- heart · stomach · intestines
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- cardiotonic, coronary vasodilator, hypotensive, mildly astringent and antioxidant
- Unani
- cardiac tonic (muqawwi-e-qalb), astringent (qabiz) and styptic
Cautions
Contraindications: none of note at ordinary dose; begin gradually where heart drugs are already prescribed
Toxicity: very low; heavy doses may cause slight sedation or a fall in blood pressure
Interactions
- Western
- cardiac glycosides: may potentiate the inotropic effect of digoxin and related glycosides · antihypertensives: additive blood-pressure lowering and vasodilation
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