Tea time with Hawthorn? Yes, if you have a sore throat, insomnia and heart problems. On Ikaria, hawthorn is also known to be good for dyspepsia and kidney stones.
Goats love what the Ikarians call perikanthe — hawthorn. The rest of Greece knows this wild herb as Crataegus, which is its scientific name, too.
Hawthorn was recommended to me by an herbalist when I mentioned that I had trouble relaxing and sleeping. I happened to have both the dried berries and the dried leaves in my cupboard and I did make a tea, which did help me sleep.
Scientists have discovered that hawthorn dilates blood vessels, thus allowing more blood to flow to the heart and lowering blood pressure.
The ancient Greeks regarded the red berries and delicate pink flowers of hawthorn as a symbol of hope and happiness.
Visit my online shop for a wide selection of Greek single-origin artisanal foods, from honeys to wild herbs, olives, olive oils, pistachios, heirloom grain products, fruit preserves and more.
Diane Kochilas is one of the world’s foremost experts on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. She is the host, creator and co-producer of My Greek Table, the award-winning 13-episode per season cooking-travel show about Greece that airs nationally on Public Television. The series is in its third season.
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