In the Middle Ages, the hawthorn tree -- long-lived and resplendent with cheerful, bright-red -- was seen as a symbol of hope. Today, this venerable herbal remedy provides hope to people with heart troubles because of its ability to improve cardiac function even as it regulates blood pressure and discourages cholesterol from piling up within arteries.
Amid all the colorful bits of folklore concerning hawthorn (that the tree was sacred because its branches were used to fashion Christ's crown of thorns, for starters), medieval herbalist made good use of its therapeutic properties. Hawthorn was recommended as a diuretic (an agent that lessens water retention and promotes urination) and to ease kidney stones and bladder woes. And it was considered, even then, to be a good heart tonic, a usage that started to attract the notice of science-based medicine in the 19-th century.
