Episode 218: Why Herbalists Use Hawthorn for Heartbreak and Heart Disease with Betzy Bancroft

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Episode Summary

What if working with hawthorn isn’t just about supporting your cardiovascular system, but also about influencing how your body expresses health at the deepest level?

In this heartfelt conversation, I’m joined by herbalist Betzy Bancroft to explore the many layers of hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)—a plant that nourishes and protects the heart in more ways than one. Though hawthorn is widely known for supporting cardiovascular health, Betzy shares how its effects go far deeper, helping regulate gene expression, improving flexibility of the blood vessels, and overall supporting the body’s natural resilience.

At the same time, this beloved plant offers profound emotional medicine. Betzy shares how hawthorn can help soften grief, ease emotional tension, and encourage us to stay open-hearted while also maintaining healthy boundaries. Whether you’re seeing physical nourishment or emotional resilience, hawthorn is a true ally for the heart on every level.

Betzy also shares so many ways to work with hawthorn! She includes her recipe for a delicious, warming Hawthorn Cordial; you can download a beautifully-illustrated recipe card in the section below.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► What makes hawthorn such a wonderful tonic for the cardiovascular system

► The fascinating way that hawthorn influences your body’s own ability to react to oxidative stress

► Practical tips for extracting hawthorn effectively (and why preparation matters!)

► Why consistency is key when working with hawthorn

► Eleven different (delicious!) ways to bring hawthorn into your daily life

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Betzy Bancroft has been teaching herbal medicine making for more than three decades at herbalism schools and events. Betzy is one of the founders of the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, where she teaches classes including medicine making and formulation, and is a mentor for clinical interns. She also teaches and often leads herb walks at Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary. She is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild and serves on the advisory board of United Plant Savers. Her book, Herbal Pharmacy, will be out in April of 2026.

Whether you’re drawn to hawthorn for its cardiovascular or emotional support, this is a plant that invites a lifelong relationship—one cup, one sip, one season at a time. However you choose to work with hawthorn, may it support you in cultivating a heart that is steady, resilient, and deeply alive.

Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

Connect with Betzy:

• Website | HerbalPharmacyBook.com
• Instagram | @plantmedicinemaker
• Courses and apprenticeships | Sage Mountain and Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [1:09] Intro to Betzy Bancroft + her plant path
• [16:01] What Betzy loves about hawthorn
• [20:57] How hawthorn supports cardiovascular health at the genetic level
• [29:05] More medicinal benefits of hawthorn
• [33:45] Hawthorn Cordial recipe + other hawthorn preparations
• [41:59] Using hawthorn as a talisman
• [43:41] Betzy’s new book, Herbal Pharmacy
• [52:04] Betzy’s courses and apprenticeships
• [55:34] How working with herbs has changed the way Betzy sees the world
• [58:54] Student spotlight
• [1:00:01] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Recipe Download!

-- TIMESTAMPS -- 

• 0:25 - Intro to Betzy Bancroft + her plant path
• 16:04 - What Betzy loves about hawthorn
• 21:16 - How hawthorn supports cardiovascular health at the genetic level
• 29:41 - More medicinal benefits of hawthorn
• 34:42 - Hawthorn Cordial recipe + other hawthorn preparations
• 43:28 - Using hawthorn as a talisman
• 45:17 - Betzy’s new book, Herbal Pharmacy
• 54:23 - Betzy’s courses and apprenticeships
• 58:05 - How working with herbs has changed the way Betzy sees the world
• 1:01:29 - Student spotlight
• 1:02:36 - Herbal tidbit

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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