ten happens that I feel a scratchy sensation in my throat — I sense some coating — and my voice becomes hoarse. It is precisely at such times that I turn to this remedy.
I am a healthy person, but it was enough for a strong breeze to blow, or the weather to change sharply, and immediately I would experience that scratchiness in my throat, I would feel some deposits, and my voice would become harsh and cracking. Every time I caught a cold, if I swallowed the medicines prescribed by the doctor, I felt as though my body would be poisoned. That is why I tried instead to help myself with herbal remedies.
One acquaintance recommended using hawthorn oil. From the first days of treatment I realized that hawthorn oil was what I needed. The treatment involved two main procedures:
Every evening I inhaled hawthorn oil. I put a small amount of hawthorn oil into a cup of water. Then I placed the cup with water on low heat in a small bowl, bringing it almost to a boil (just to the point of simmering). I removed it from the heat and, for fifteen minutes, inhaled the steam infused with hawthorn oil.
I applied hawthorn oil directly to my throat. For this I used a medical clamp and a cotton swab, which I thoroughly moistened in the hawthorn oil. The procedure had to be carried out very carefully so as not to damage the tissue of the throat. This treatment soon restored my health. Now I rarely fall ill.
Doctor’s commentary:
Hawthorn has been used therapeutically since ancient times. The medicinal properties are found in the plant’s fruit, leaves, and seeds. The fruit contains B‑group vitamins and a large amount of vitamin C. It is noteworthy that vitamin C in the fruit remains well preserved even after processing. In addition, the fruit of hawthorn contains malic acid, carotene (provitamin A), trace elements, iron, and other substances.
To treat vitamin deficiency (avitaminosis), hawthorn juice is used. Poultices made from hawthorn leaves heal rheumatism. Especially valuable is hawthorn oil, the content of which in the fruit is about 8‑9%. Hawthorn oil is used in scientific medicine as well for the treatment of burns, ulcers, atherosclerosis, gastritis, diabetes, anemia, and hypertension. In external pathology, damaged areas of skin tissue are cleansed and moistened with hawthorn oil. Then a clean dressing is applied generously. The dressing is changed every other day. For treating gastric ulcers, hawthorn oil is taken orally — one teaspoon 2‑3 times a day. In cases of anemia or body weakness, dietitians recommend including hawthorn fruit in the patient’s diet.
Hawthorn leaf and young branch tea is also good. In diseases of the mucous membrane of the mouth (stomatitis, periodontitis, glossitis), a decoction of hawthorn leaves is prescribed as a rinse. To prepare the decoction, one tablespoon of leaves is poured with one cup of boiling water. Hawthorn oil is also used in gynecology when there is damage to the uterine lining (erosion, polypitis).
Source: Karabadini.
Additional Information & Herbal Medicine Research on Hawthorn
Below is some expanded information, drawn from botanical and medical sources, about hawthorn (“Crataegus”) — its known properties, roles in traditional medicine, possible benefits, and safety concerns — to complement the account above.
Botanical background
Hawthorn is a flowering shrub or small tree in the rose family. Different species, such as Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus oxyacantha, and related ones, are widely used in herbal medicine.
Herb Federation of New Zealand
All parts of the plant may be useful medicinally: the leaves, flowers, fruits (berries), and sometimes seeds.
Phytochemical composition & nutritive content
Hawthorn contains flavonoids, oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which are powerful antioxidant compounds.
MedicineNet
It has vitamin C in significant quantity, carotenoids (precursors of vitamin A, like beta‑carotene), trace elements like iron, and other micronutrients.
The fruit also contains organic acids such as malic acid.
Traditional and modern medicinal uses
Hawthorn has been used in various cultures, both as folk remedy and in more formal herbal medicine. Some of its known or claimed uses include:
Cardiovascular health: This is one of the best‑studied areas. Hawthorn is used traditionally and in some clinical trials to support heart failure (congestive heart failure), improve symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and improve exercise tolerance.
MedicineNet
Hypertension (high blood pressure) and circulatory problems: Some evidence suggests hawthorn extracts may help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow.
Lipid profile / cholesterol levels: Traditiona
l use includes lowering “bad” cholesterol (LDL), and some small studies support improved cholesterol results.
Digestive issues: Hawthorn has been used for indigestion, gastric discomfort, modulation of gastrointestinal motility, etc.
Herb Federation of New Zealand
Anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant effects: The flavonoids and phenolic compounds help counteract oxidative stress and inflammation.
Achs Files
+2
NCCIH
+2
Topical use: For wounds, ulcers, skin lesions, etc., in traditional medicine.
Achs Files
+2
Herb Federation of New Zealand
+2
Other reported uses: Some sources mention use for anemia, weakness, urinary and kidney issues, nervousness, but clinical evidence for many of these is limited.
Achs Files
+2
WebMD
+2
How hawthorn is used / preparations
Decoctions, teas, infusions of leaves, flowers, or fruit.
Herb Federation of New Zealand
+1
Oils or tinctures (though oil‐based treatments for internal issues are less common in formal research).
External applications (dressings, washes) for skin; rinses for mucous membranes.
Achs Files
+1
Safety, contraindications, and evidence
Generally, hawthorn is considered relatively safe when used appropriately. Short‑term use in moderate doses appears well tolerated.
AAFP
+3
WebMD
+3
Achs Files
+3
Side effects reported in some people include dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort.
WebMD
+2
AAFP
+2
Interactions: Hawthorn may interact with cardiovascular medications (e.g. digoxin), blood pressure‑lowering drugs. It may potentiate (increase) the effects of such drugs, leading to hypotension or other problems.
NCCIH
+2
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
+2
Special caution is advised for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, and in cases of serious heart conditions without medical supervision.
AAFP
+1
Relevance of your treatment method
Your described method of using hawthorn oil for inhalation and topical application to the throat is not widely documented in formal medical literature. Most studies focus on oral administration or external applications for skin, wounds, etc. However, some traditional practices include gargling or rinsing mucous membranes with infusions or decoctions, which is somewhat analogous to using oil or infusing in steam.
The inhalation of herb‑infused steam is a known folk remedy for throat irritation, coughs, and respiratory discomfort. It helps moisturize mucous membranes, loosen secretions, and deliver volatile compounds with antiseptic or soothing properties. The idea of applying something directly to the throat (via a swab moistened in oil) is similarly practical, provided it is done gently and hygienically.
Possible mechanism in context of throat irritation
The oils or compounds in hawthorn may have mild astringent effects, helping constrict mucous membranes slightly, reducing swelling, and helping soothe irritation.
Antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory compounds might reduce local inflammation in throat tissues.
Steam inhalation helps warm and moist air passages, reduce dryness and irritation, and possibly help dislodge or reduce the feeling of “coating” or mucus.
Limitations and what is not known
There is very limited or no scientific evidence specific to hawthorn oil inhalation for throat scratchiness or voice hoarseness.
Safety of applying oil in the throat area must be considered carefully: risk of aspiration, irritation, allergies. Always ensure you are not allergic, and use clean, safe materials.
Dosing, concentration, frequency are not well established in this particular method, so use with caution.
