Widely used throughout Europe for heart concerns, Hawthorn Berry benefits your cardiovascular system by maintaining healthy blood flow so oxygen and nutrients are efficiently transported throughout your body. Hawthorn berries also contain antioxidants that fight free radicals. Hawthorn Berry History A flowering shrub, hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is a member of the rose family (Rosaecae) and native to northern Europe. It now grows worldwide, with most grown commercially in the UK and eastern Europe. It is also known as may blossom, may bush, white thorn, haw, hazels, English hawthorn, quickset and one-seed hawthorn, among others. The long-living hawthorn tree can grow to heights of 30 feet. It displays dark green leaves, pure white flowers, and fruits that hang in clusters. The tasty, red hawthorn berries, also called the "haw" have been used for candies, jellies and wines. Hawthorn berries have been used as an herbal remedy for centuries to uplift and strengthen the physical and emotional heart. In the Middle Ages, women were known to eat hawthorn berries to heal a "broken heart." The leaves are also edible. Hawthorn berries played a role in folklore as well. It was thought to symbolize chastity and prosperity, so it was often incorporated into marriage wreaths and bridal decorations. Traditional Hawthorn Benefits Over the centuries, hawthorn berries were used for a variety of health concerns: digestive and kidney . Its ability to support heart health, however, has made hawthorn supplements popular today, specifically to support the walls of blood vessels. Hawthorn berries deliver trace amounts of phytonutrients such as anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins, and antioxidants for good heart health. The parts used in supplements include the leaves, twigs, spines, and flowers, along with the berries. Hawthorn berry was included in the U. S. Pharmacopeia until the 1930s, and it has been the subject of numerous studies since then. Today, hawthorn berry tablets and hawthorn berry supplements are widely available at reputable health retailers. Hawthorn's Chemical Composition Constituents of hawthorn include trace amounts of naturally occurring flavonoids, triterpenes, chlorogenic acid, saponins, phenolic acids, choline, lecithin, Vitamins B-1 and B-2 along with Vitamin C. Hawthorn Tablets and Liquid Extract Available in Hawthorn Berry 500 mg tablets and liquid extract form for those who have difficulty swallowing.