Hawthorn Berries (Crataegus oxycanthoides) are found in hedgerows and can be harvested from September to October, depending on how warm the summer has been. Take a look at the image below, you will see the berries; check out the shape of the leaves, as they make it easy to identify the hawthorn bush/tree.
Hawthorn berries are widely known for having an affinity with the cardiovascular system. Acting as a tonic that helps tone the heart and its function. Has a positive effect on blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and digestive problems. They have mild diuretic properties and have a beneficial impact on cholesterol.
Fresh Hawthorn Berry & Apple Ketchup
This is not one of my recipes; I found this one a while ago. This recipe is good to make as an alternative to eating tomato ketchup, as a lot of people have an intolerance to tomatoes, especially if you suffer from aches and pains
750kg fresh hawthorn berries
250kg Bramley apples or crab apples from the hedgerows
600ml organic raw apple cider vinegar
600ml water
300kg organic brown sugar
1/2 tsp good quality salt
1/4 tsp ground clove
1/3 tsp crushed or ground juniper berries
1/4 tsp ground coriander
4 bay leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
Add a little chilli (optional) if you like a hot ketchup
1. Remove the stalks from the hawthorn berries, then rinse in cold water.
2. Put them in a large pan with the vinegar and water, bring to a boil and simmer for about 30 minutes until the skins start to split.
3. Remove from the heat and rub the mixture through a sieve
4. Return the mixture to a clean pan, add the sugar and spices and heat gently, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves.
5. Bring to a boil and cook for a further 10-20 minutes until the sauce reduces and becomes thick.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then pour into sterilised bottles. Use within 12 months, ready to make the next lot. Store in the fridge or in a dark, cool place.
Tea infusion with dried hawthorn berries
Remove the stems, sort out any that look bad, and wash the berries well. Drain, pat them dry, and lay them out in thin layers on trays. Dry them in an airing cupboard or in the oven at a very low temperature with the door ajar or in a dehydrator. During the drying process, stir the berries occasionally for the best chance of them drying evenly. Store in an airtight glass container like a mason jar.
1 teaspoon of dried hawthorn berries to every large mug of water. Place the berries and water in a pan and bring to a boil, then immediately turn off the heat, cover and allow to steep for up to 10 minutes. Drink 1 cup x twice a day without milk or sugar. Do not drink more than that.
Buying hawthorn berries instead of picking
If you cannot pick your own berries, that’s no problem, as you can buy dried whole berries or crushed ones; there are capsules with hawthorn extract and liquid tinctures. So you will still be able to gain the therapeutic healing properties of the hawthorn berry without having to gather your own.
