This post is an extension of an article that I wrote for Grass Roots. It was my 20th article and was for their February edition).
Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) and Wild Rose (Rosa canina and friends). Both of these beautiful, gentle herbs (well, you may not think Wild Rose is gentle after going foraging for it!) are in the Rosaceae family.
Most of that family are calming, relaxing, soothing and cooling. They’re slightly bitter or even a little sour – both tastes mean that they move energy and heat from places of stagnation.
Hawthorn is known for its ability to help our circulatory system, especially our heart. It is also, herbally, used to open the heart, emotionally not physically (that would be a mess!), allowing us to accept, express and let go of grief. It helps us to be more open to others.
Wild Roses also have properties that help our circulatory system and emotions. As a Bach Flower Remedy, it helps folks who are stuck because they’ve had a hard trot in life and have given up and just accept what life throws at them but can’t move beyond that into a positive view of life.
So you can see how both make a beautiful combination, especially in these times where even the gentlest of people must harden their hearts a little. This mix can help them to work through what they need to without becoming cold hearted.
Wild Roses also give us the wonderful Rose Hips, that so many folks use as a natural source of Vitamin C and assorted antioxidants and flavonoids. All of these goodies help our immune system and support our circulation – heart related, again.
The astringent properties of both Hawthorn and Roses helps to tone up and tighten loose and leaking tissues, especially our mucus membranes. Anyone who’s ever had a good cry after a heartbreak or disappointment will know that those membranes in the upper respiratory tract can get red, swollen and overworked. These herbs won’t stop you crying but can help to relieve a bit of the pressure and keep your heart open and strong for another go.
If you’d like to add an extra herb or two to this blend, you can try Violet (Viola odorata) to help ease the respiratory tract which often gets tightened when we are acting emotionally. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) also helps us with its uplifting, positive energy.
Other herb pages on Ligaya Garden
We cover a lot of ground on many herb related topics here on our website. There are whole pages devoted to different topics as well as frequent posts. Some of the links are –
