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Alternative Names: Hawthorne, haw, may bush, may tree, may blossom, mayflower, quickset, thorn-apple tree, or whitethorn.
The leaves, flowers, and berries of hawthorn contain a variety of bioflavonoid-like complexes that appear to be primarily responsible for the cardiac actions of the plant. Bioflavonoids found in Hawthorn include oligomeric procyanidins (OPCc), vitexin, quercetin, and hyperoside. The action of these compounds on the cardiovascular system has led to the development of leaf and flower extracts.
Source
While there are over 250 species of shrubs called Hawthorn, Crataegus oxycantha (or sometimes called C. laevigata) is one of the more common species used medicinally. While the dried fruits (berries) are most often used, the flowering tops and leaves have very similar properties and are used with some frequency for the similar conditions.
Hawthorn is sold as dried berries, capsules and tinctures. Extracts are often standardized for one of two different chemical compounds: total flavonoids (usually calculated as vitexin) or procyanidins. An average dose is 200mg of an extract standardized for approximately 1.5% vitexin or 2.0% flavonoids.
Function; Reasons For Use
Hawthorn contains an abundance of flavonoids including hyperoside, quercetin, vitexins, rutin and more. A number of other compounds are also found in hawthorn such as proanthocyanidins, various vitamins and minerals, fructose, beta-sitosterol, xanthine derivatives and more.
Hawthorn is antispasmodic, sedative, and a vasodilator. Hawthorn may help the heart in several ways. It may open (dilate) the coronary arteries, improving the heart's blood supply. It may increase the heart's pumping force. It may eliminate some types of heart-rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). It may help limit the amount of cholesterol deposited on artery walls.
It is very good for treating either high or low blood pressure by strengthening the action of the heart; it helps many blood pressure-related problems.
Hawthorn is best known as a cardiotonic. Used frequently in cases of congestive heart failure and high blood pressure; it is the hyperosides and the vitexins (especially the vitexin-2 rhamnoside) that are present in hawthorn enabling it to effect these conditions. Essentially, hawthorn has been shown to increase the inotropic effect (contractile force), and increase the tolerance of the heart to lower oxygen (hypoxic) conditions.
As a cardiac tonic, it protects arterial walls. Studies have confirmed that the plant is a rich source of healthy chemical compounds, including procyanidins and the flavonoids rutin and vitexin, which have the ability to dilate coronary blood vessels -- the vessels supplying the heart with vital oxygen and nutrients. It can normalize blood pressure and prevent palpitations and arrhythmias; it has also been used for support of cardiac failure, hypertension (high blood pressure), arterisclerosis (hardening of the arteries), angina pectoris (heart/vascular pain), and tachycardia (rapid heart beat). Cardiovascular effects result from taking the herb over a prolonged period.
Researchers in Germany recently gave hawthorn extract to patients suffering from congestive heart failure and found the patients experienced fewer overall symptoms and showed improvements in stamina and a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate during exercise. Hawthorn is good for arthritis because it helps stabilize collagen, the protein found in joints that are destroyed by inflammatory diseases. It also has antioxidant effects.
While many herbalists recommend the whole, dried berries, leaves or flowers; extracts are available in which the extract has been standardized to various amounts of vitexin rhamnosides. Look for hawthorn berries in products for the heart, or in products where flavonoid compounds would enhance effectiveness of the product.
Side-Effects; Counter-Indicators and Warnings
The herb is considered non-toxic. There are no known interactions with prescription cardiac medications or other drugs. Large amounts of hawthorn may cause sedation and/or a significant drop in blood pressure, possibly resulting in faintness.
There are no known contraindications to its use during pregnancy or lactation.
Be warned that if you do take a digitalis prescription, this could elevate your blood level and should be monitored closely by your physician. However, no cases have yet been reported so far as we know.
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Hawthorn Berry Extract can help with the following: | | | | | Circulation |  Congestive Heart Failure | In a sample of 1,011 patients with stage II cardiac insufficiency, a standardized hawthorn extract containing 84mg of oligomeric procyanidins improved ejection fraction and resting pulse rate, and produced a reduction in cardiac arrhythmias. Duration of the study was 24 weeks. [Eur J Heart Fail 2000;2(4): pp.431-7]
Clinical trials with an extract (WS 1442) have successfully demonstrated improved cardiac function and improved quality of life primarily in patients with early stage CHF. For the treatment of early stage CHF, the effective daily dosage of WS 1442 (standardized to 18.75% oligomeric procyanidins) has ranged from 160-900mg per day, divided into 2-3 doses. Benefit has been shown in the 160-480mg per day range. [Fortschr Med 1996;114: pp.291-6] |
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Atherosclerosis| | Hawthorn is particularly recommended. Proanthocyanadins stabilize collagen to prevent cholesterol deposits on arterial walls, prevent free radical damage, reduce peripheral vascular resistance, angina, cholesterol, and increase coronary and myocardial perfusion; hawthorn has a historic use in congestive heart failure; dosage 3 to 5gm as either dried herb, solid extract, or liquid extract.
Ginkgo (250mg tid) is also recommended. Concentrated extracts may be required to achieve the recommended doses. In addition, a tincture (30 to 60 drops tid) or tea (1 cup tid) of one to four of the suggested herbs, taken before meals, may be helpful. |
Cardiomyopathy| | Hawthorn can be an effective therapy for congestive heart failure, which is the main complication of cardiomyopathy. The clinical trials with heart failure patients have demonstrated efficacy using 80-300mg per day of standardized extract of hawthorn per day (containing more than 2% vitexins). A study of cardiomyopathy and hawthorn has yet to be done. |
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Infections |
 Lyme Disease |
Metabolic |
Insomnia| | Hawthorn tea is good for nervous tension and sleeplessness. |
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KEY | | May do some good | | | Likely to help |
GLOSSARY
Angina
Angina Pectoris: Severe, restricting chest pain with sensations of suffocation caused by temporary reduction of oxygen to the heart muscle through narrowed diseased coronary arteries. Often triggered by exertion. Angina Vasomotoria: Like the previous, but less dangerous and more frequently caused by purely neurologic stimulus. The pain is more spasmodic and there is usually little actual blood vessel blockage.
Antispasmodic
Preventing spasms.
Arrhythmia (Arrhythmias)
A condition caused by variation in the regular rhythm of the heartbeat. Arrhythmias may cause serious conditions such as shock and congestive heart failure, or even death.
Arterial (Arteries, Artery)
Blood that leaves the heart. When it leaves the right ventricle, it is venous blood; and when it leaves the left ventricle, through the aorta, it is fresh and oxygenated. After it has passed out to the capillaries and started to return, it is venous blood.
Arthritis (Arthritic)
Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness, and resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other causes. It occurs in various forms, such as bacterial arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, is characterized by a gradual loss of cartilage and often an overgrowth of bone at the joints.
Bioflavonoid (Bioflavonoids, Flavonoid, Flavonoids)
Vitamin P. Any of a group of colored flavones (crystalline compounds) found next to the peel in many fruits. Essential for the stability and absorption of ascorbic acid.
Cardiac
Pertaining to the heart, also, pertaining to the stomach area adjacent to the esophagus.
Cardiovascular
Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.
Cholesterol
A waxy, fat-like substance manufactured in the liver and found in all tissues, it facilitates the transport and absorption of fatty acids. In foods, only animal products contain cholesterol. An excess of cholesterol in the bloodstream can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
Collagen
The primary protein within white fibers of connective tissue and the organic substance found in tendons, ligaments, cartilage, skin, teeth and bone.
Congestive
Pertaining to accumulation of blood or fluid within a vessel or organ.
Cup (Cups)
A unit of volume measurement equal to 8 fluid oz, or roughly 250ml. It also equals 1/2 pint, 1/4 quart and 1/16 gallon.
Free Radical (Free Radicals)
A free radical is an atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron. Because another element can easily pick up this free electron and cause a chemical reaction, these free radicals can effect dramatic and destructive changes in the body. Free radicals are activated in heated and rancid oils and by radiation in the atmosphere, among other things.
Fructose
A simple sugar which occurs naturally in fruit or honey.
Gram (gm, gms, Gramme, Grammes, Grams)
A metric unit of weight, there being approximately 28 grams in one ounce.
Herbs (Herb, Herbal)
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Inotropic
Affecting force of muscle contraction.
Lactation (Lactate, Lactates, Lactating)
Production of milk; period after giving birth during which milk is secreted in the breasts.
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
Mineral (Minerals)
Plays a vital role in regulating many body functions. They act as catalysts in nerve response, muscle contraction and the metabolism of nutrients in foods. They regulate electrolyte balance and hormonal production, and they strengthen skeletal structures.
Proanthocyanidin (Proanthocyanidins)
Also called procyanidin, it is a powerful antioxidant that chemically belongs to the class of bioflavonoids. Grape seed extract, pine bark extract, as well as berries such as hawthorn berries, cherries, blueberries, and blackberries and, to a lesser extent, red wine, are natural sources.
Protein (Proteins)
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.
Quercetin
A highly active bioflavonoid which is absorbed most effectively in combination with bromelain.
Rutin
A bioflavonoid obtained from buckwheat leaves.
Tachycardia
Excessively rapid heart rate.
TID
Three times a day.
Vascular
Relating to the blood vessels of the body. The blood vessels of the body, as a group, are referred to as the vascular system. They are composed of arteries, veins and capillaries - arteries that pass oxygen-rich blood to the tissues of the body; veins which return oxygen-depleted blood from the tissues to the lungs for oxygen; and the capillaries that are the tiniest vessels and are between the arteries and veins.
Vasodilation (Vasodilator)
Widening or enlarging of blood vessels, particularly arterioles, usually caused by nerve impulses or certain drugs that relax smooth muscle in the walls of the blood vessels.
Last updated: Nov 14, 2009
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