Hawthorn

The Hawthorn is a flowering shrub and member of the rose family. It is best known in the west for its abundant red berries that are harvested in the fall and made into preserves, however, the Hawthorn is widely indigenous throughout the world and has been used for both food and as a heart tonic since the 1st century.

Herbalists today consider the Hawthorn to be one of the most important and specific herbal agent for the treatment of heart concerns and it has recently been subjected to ongoing rigorous research to determine the extent of its beneficial effects on the human heart. It is widely used in Europe, especially in Switzerland and Germany where it has been approved for use in the treatment of heart failure.

Hawthorn can help reduce blood pressure and help lower cholesterol with stronger blood flow. It has been shown to improve heart function and capacity, promote regular heart rhythm. Antioxidant activity improves blood vessel health. Because of the support and protection of the heart muscle and surrounding vascular system, symptoms of cardiac insufficiency such as fatigue and shortness of breath can be reduced.

Research has indicated several pathways through which Hawthorn effects the healthy function of the heart, increasing coronary blood flow. Hawthorn contains a significant level of bioflavanoids, powerful antioxidants which intercept free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to blood vessels.

Hawthorn extract dilates or relaxes coronary blood vessels. This reduces peripheral vascular resistance, reducing blood pressure, adjusting the contraction/relaxation cycles and allowing more blood to flow through the heart. Hawthorn also appears to help reduce the occurrence of angina pain by inhibiting enzymes which cause muscle constriction.

Hawthorne berry extract in small doses does not appear to be dangerous to the heart and also seems to have no additional effects when used in recommended dosages under the supervision of a medical professional for the treatment of mild congestive heart failure.

Use cautiously in patients taking other cardiovascular medications, herbs or supplements, including anti-hypertensives, vasodilators, and cardiac glycosides due to potential additive effect.

Because herbs also contain active chemical substances which can and will interact with others, no herb or drug should be taken without first consulting with one's physician.

The dosage range recommended in review literature is 160-900mg hawthorn extract per day in 2-3 divided doses. Some sources recommend a range of 240-480mg/day for extracts standardized to 18.75% oligomeric procyanidines.

1) Weikl A, Assmus KD, Neukum-Schmidt A, et al. Crataegus Special Extract WS 1442. Assessment of objective effectiveness in patients with heart failure. Fortschr Med 1996;114:291-296.

2) Leuchtgens H. Crataegus Special Extract WS 1442 in NYHA II heart failure. A placebo controlled randomized double-blind study. Fortschr Med 1993;111:352-354.

3) Loew D. Crataegus-Spezialextrakte bei Herzinsuffizienz. Gesicherte pharmakologische und klinische Ergebnisse. Der Kassenarzt, 1994, 15:43-52.

4) Weikl A, Noh HS. Der Einfluss von Crataegus bei globaler Herzinsuffizienz. Herz und Gefässe, 1992:516-524.

5) Rewerski VW, Piechocki T, Tyalski M, Lewak S. Some pharmacological properties of oligomeric procyanadin isolated from hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha). Arzniem Forsch 1967;17:490-491.

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