There’s a rumor that’s been hanging around forever that hawthorn is poisonous. I’m here to set the record straight: it’s actually the exact opposite! Not only is hawthorn completely safe to eat, but it’s also packed with healing properties for both humans and our furry friends.
Every part of the hawthorn plant is non-toxic
Whether we’re talking about the leaves, the flowers, or the berries, every part of the hawthorn is non-toxic and great for snacking or using as a natural remedy. The bright red berries are totally edible—they have a slightly mealy texture and a tart flavor. They’re perfect for whipping up homemade jams, jellies, liqueurs, or teas. You can dive deeper into the details on hawthorn berries right here. If you’re more of a tea drinker, the leaves and flowers (fresh or dried) make a wonderful, heart-healthy brew.
So, what’s the secret sauce? Hawthorn leaves and flowers contain flavonoids and procyanidins—natural pigments found in the plant. These compounds interact with enzymes in our bodies to give our hearts a little extra love. Hawthorn extracts and teas are known to improve circulation in the coronary vessels, making them a popular choice for supporting heart health as we age. Check out these articles for more on hawthorn flowers and hawthorn leaves.
Those little red berries, which look a bit like tiny crabapples, contain the same beneficial ingredients as the leaves and flowers, just in slightly lower concentrations. They’re still great for your heart, though! You can snack on them straight off the bush or dry them for later. Just a quick heads-up: it’s best to keep the berries away from babies and toddlers, simply because there hasn’t been enough testing on how their little systems handle them. Here are the most common ways to use hawthorn medicinally:
- Dried leaves, flowers, and berries for tea
- Powders, tablets, capsules, or supplements
- Tinctures or fresh plant juices
Hawthorn is safe for pets and livestock, too
Good news for pet parents: hawthorn leaves, flowers, and berries are non-toxic for animals as well. In fact, you’ll find plenty of hawthorn-based supplements on the market designed specifically to support heart health in dogs. You can read more about hawthorn for dogs here. And yes, it’s safe for cats, too!
Horses can also benefit from hawthorn, especially older ones that might need a little cardiovascular boost. There’s zero risk of poisoning here. As for our feathered friends, wild birds absolutely love the berries, and even backyard chickens will happily peck at them. It’s a perfectly safe, natural treat for them.
