Common in Britain Europe and USA, the Hawthorn, also known as Whitethorn or Hagthorn is often used in horse supplements to aid with increase of blood flow. Steeped in folklore, it was said that a mare’s afterbirth should be draped over a hawthorn or holly bush to ensure good luck

Actions: Cardiac tonic, vasodilatory, hyptensive, antisclerotic

Use: Hawthorn leaves, flowers and berries have a beneficial action on blood flow, pressure and heart rate. Containing flavonoids, they have a distinct action of dilating the peripheral blood vessels (often induced by drugs for horses with navicular syndrome) which will improve blood supply to affected areas. It is often used in human herbal medicine for angina and irregular heartbeat as it can aid in blood pressure reduction.

Horses suffering or prone to navicular, arthritis or laminitis will often be found seeking out hawthorn to eat sprouting leaf tops!