The Ozorian Herb Hut, or the (Good) Witch House, as you may also know it, is a place where you can learn to appreciate the beneficial goodness our Earth yields. The workshops held here each summer are always useful, and teach you to respect and love Mother Nature even more, as you re-discover the treasures she grows. But the work that goes into the festival-time programs focusing on herbs and natural medicine begins much earlier… Here’s a peak inside the Herb Hut, and a look at one of the magic plants that will play an important role at this year’s herbal workshops.

By KATA MERSEI –

Hawthorn – Crataegus monogyna

Springtime awakens many wonders on the O.Z.O.R.A. festival grounds. The hills and valleys are loud with the sounds of birds singing. The fragrance of blossoming trees is intoxicating, tiny yellow dandelions and wavy blue seas of flax border the road leading inside. The area is home to a large number of medicinal plants. The air is crystal clear and light breezes caress your face. Pale, pinkish white, sweet-bittery almond scented hawthorn blooms into the landscape. We can go foraging in this beautiful weather, and gather the flowery shoots, which contain the medicinal essence. It’s easy to collect the buds, although hawthorn is prickly, so be careful. Don’t be hasty, it’s better to watch what you’re doing!

And when autumn comes, we can also gather the ripe berries.

Hawthorn has numerous medicinal benefits. It’s mostly known for energizing the heart and blood circulation. It enhances artery flexibility, so it helps prevent clogging.  It aids vasodilation and lowers blood pressure. It is a cure for coronary problems. It improves coronary artery blood flow and strengthens the heart muscle – and it also has a sedative effect. In menopause it helps against mood swings, as well as heart palpitations and insomnia.

It is great for stress relief, calming your nerves and even coloring your dreams. Drinking a dl (deciliter) of hawthorn potion brings clearer dreams, so it can help in understanding your psyche’s prophetic messages better.

It is also effective for a problem many people suffer from, tinnitus.

Its medicinal effect can truly be felt after 3-4 weeks of use.

Hawthorn is recommended only over the age of 12, but younger children can drink it from time to time if it’s diluted. It is safe for pregnant women to use as well.

It’s explicitly recommended for seniors, but only after first consulting a doctor about how it interacts with other medication.

Preparation for Tea:
Pour 1 cup (2,5 dl) of boiling water (70C) over 1 tsp (2-3 grams) of hawthorn flowers or leaves – or a mixture of the two. Steep the tea for 10-15 min; strain. Drink it when it has cooled a bit. You can mix it with lemongrass, lavender, blackberry leaves, to enhance its effect. Don’t use a metal strainer!

We recommend it to everyone wholeheartedly! Come and taste it at the Ozorian Tea Shack!

Photo credit: Tokodi Zsofia