| Return |
| Return |
| Learn which herbs are commonly used to treat |
Traditional Uses
Hawthorn berries have been traditionally used since the Middle Ages to support the heart and cardiovascular functions.
Current uses
Hawthorn works by dilating blood vessels, thereby increasing the heart's energy supply and improving its pumping ability and does this by blocking the action of a blood constricting enzyme called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme). Hawthorn therefore reduces blood pressure in cases where there are chronically constricted arteries.
The anti-oxidant properties of hawthorn also help to protect against damage caused by plaque build up in the coronary arteries.
Hawthorn is rich in bioflavonoids, known to relax and dilate the arteries. This reduces the load on the heart to circulate blood, and therefor reduces blood pressure and stress to the heart muscle.
The bioflavonoid stregthen the walls of blood vessels and improve blood flow to other areas of the body.
Components in hawthorn have also been shown to lower cholesterol, and the amount of plaque in arteries.
News Comment
Jan De Vries answers your health questions
Belfast Telegraph, United Kingdom - 24 Jun 2008
There is a natural remedy called Crataegus ( Hawthorn ), which is used for angina. Crataegus helps improve the circulation to the heart , ...
Dr. Willmar Schwabe's Hawthorn Extract WS® 1442 Helps Heart ...
Business Wire (press release), CA - 3 Jul 2008
10 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies provided suitable data for meta-analysis on the effect of Hawthorn on heart failure ...
Guayaki Pure Heart promotes cardiac health
Food Processing, IL - 17 Jul 2008
The Pure Heart blend features invigorating organic yerba mate (mah-tay) combined with hawthorn and yarrow — which are known to promote improved cardiac ...
Formulating Antioxidant Products
Natural Products Industry Insider, AZ Apr 2006
... carotenoids. Cardiovascular Health : CoQ10, vitamin E, hawthorn and ginkgo biloba. Liver Health : Milk thistle and calcium D-glucarate. ...
Precautions and side effects (refer also to statements below)
No consistent reports of side effects are evident, but cases of ausea, stomach upset, dizziness or drowsiness have been cited.
The German Kommission E monograph notes no contraindications or side effects for the use of hawthorn.
Research
In Germany, a number of extracts and medicinal preparations use hawthorn either singly or in combination with other herbs.
Research carried out by by the German Federal Ministry of Health found that hawthorn increases the strength of the heart, normalizes rhythm, and improves circulation within the heart itself by dilating the coronary arteries.
