Benefits of Hawthorn for the Heart

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), a member of the Roseceae family, is native to Northern Europe, Asia and North America. There are well over 200 species of hawthorn, which grows as a shrub or small tree. In spring, hawthorn produces clusters of white flowers, followed by small red berries that ripen in the fall. Crataegus laevigata, C. cuneata, C. oxyacantha, C. monogyna and C. pinnatifida are some species of hawthorn that are recognized to provide medicinal benefits.

Benefits of Hawthorn for the Heart

The therapeutic properties of hawthorn are mainly found in the leaves and flowers. It has astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, diuretic and sedative activities. Hawthorn's remarkable benefits for the cardiovascular system have been known since ancient times, and are now being verified by modern scientific research. Hawthorn provides benefits for a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac arrhythmia, angina, congestive heart failure, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure and Buerger's disease. Clinical trials have shown that treatment with hawthorn significantly decreases the symptoms of heart failure including shortness of breath and fatigue.

Some of the active constituents in hawthorn that are specifically therapeutic for the heart are flavonoids and oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Flavonoids are antioxidants that strengthen the walls of blood vessels as well as lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. The OPCs are free radical scavengers, and also inhibit neutrophil elastase, an enzyme that is released under low oxygen conditions and may harm the heart.

Hawthorn helps the heart muscle to pump with greater force, enhancing blood flow. It also acts to dilate the coronary arteries, improving cardiac circulation and relieving symptoms of angina pectoris, a painful sensation in the chest caused by insufficient blood oxygen supplied to the heart muscle.

Hawthorn also contributes to heart health by reducing cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDLs) and trigycerides, and decreasing the buildup of fats on the walls of the aorta and in the liver.

In addition to the treatment of existing acute or chronic cardiac conditions, hawthorn can be taken long-term by the elderly as a preventative for age-related decline of heart function.

Other Therapeutic Uses of Hawthorn

Although primarily considered to be a heart tonic, hawthorn also has other medicinal properties. It is used to treat ailments of the gastrointestinal tract including diarrhea, enteritis and indigestion. The leaves can be used externally as a poultice to treat a variety of skin conditions including sores, skin ulcers and boils. Its sedative properties may make it useful for anxiety and insomnia.

Cautions and Contraindications for Hawthorn

Hawthorn should not be taken if you are pregnant or nursing. It is considered safe, but may cause nausea, fatigue, and sweating in some people. Hawthorn may enhance the effect of prescription medications including digoxin, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. This information is for educational purposes only. If you have a medical condition, see a qualified health care provider.

Sources:

Hoffman, David. Medical Herbalism. Healing Arts Press, 2003.

https://www.achs.edu/Mediabank/files/HawthornHerb.pdf

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/hawthorn-000256.htm