Hawthorn is sometimes called “the heart herb” due to its numerous cardio-protective properties. It is praised for its capacity to boost and strengthen the heart, both emotionally and physically. The berry of hawthorn has been used for many centuries as a natural remedy to treat every kind of heart issue. They include angina and high blood pressure, thickening of the arteries, irregular heartbeats, and even an insufficiency of the heart called congestive.
In reality, hawthorn has been used to treat heart diseases since the early 20th century! At the beginning of the 1800s, doctors across the United States were using this herbal remedy for diseases of the circulatory system and respiratory tract.
Hawthorn fruits, leaves as well as flowers can all be used to treat ailments nowadays. Hawthorn fruits come with small red berries. Native American tribes enjoyed eating their berries and used hawthorn to treat heart and gastrointestinal problems.
Why are hawthorns so therapeutic? It's likely to be the many flavonoids to begin with. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that have been proven to reduce inflammation and improving immune function. Consuming a diet rich in beverages, foods, and herbal extracts has been proven to contribute to preventing neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Let's examine how a tiny hawthorn berry could enormously improve many people's health.
What Is Hawthorn Berry?
The hawthorn tree, often referred to as thornapple or May-tree, is a plant that is deciduous. It belongs to the Rose family (Rosaceae) that is part of the family of Crataegus. Hawthorn may take the form of a thorny bush or as a tree. Most times it is found growing on the edges of sunny wooded hills. There are many species of hawthorn, many of which can be located within North America.
Hawthorn plants have berries along with flowers which blossom in May. Hawthorn flowers can be found in white, pink or red. The small hawthorn berries pop up following the blooms have budged. When the hawthorn berries are completely mature, they're usually red; however, often, they're black. The berries are edible. What is their flavor? The majority of people describe hawthorn berries as a mixture of sweet and tart.
The herb hawthorn is brimming with beneficial health-promoting substances. These compounds have been found to improve heart health. The antioxidant flavonoids of Hawthorn help enhance blood flow, protect against damage to blood vessels, and may even aid in dilation of blood vessels.
These flavonoids comprise OPCs. What are OPCs? OPC is an acronym for oligomeric Proanthocyanidins. OPCs are among the most abundant polyphenolic compounds found in plants.
Here are a few of the chemical compounds and nutrients in hawthorn.
- Flavonoids, including hyperoside
- Quercetin
- Vitexin
- Rutin
- Pentacyclic triterpenes
- Acantolic acid
- Neotegolic acid
- Choline
- Acetylcholine
- Chlorogenic acid
- Caffeic acid
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Iron
- Phosphorus
Health Benefits
1. Major Heart Concerns
Hawthorn is most well-known for its beneficial tone effects on the heart. It is it is a “cardiotonic herbal remedy,” hawthorn has shown its remarkable effectiveness in all sorts of heart problems that can be serious. This includes heart failure heart disease, heart failure angina pectoris and changes in the rhythm of the heart, and atherosclerosis. According to a research study in 2016 which was released in The Current Medicinal Chemistry, hawthorn's significant benefits for the heart stem from its polyphenolic content.
At present, research has proven that hawthorn may even be beneficial in the treatment of congestive heart insufficiency (CHF). Numerous studies have demonstrated that supplementation with hawthorn has resulted in improved cardiac function according to a range of variables. These include blood pressure, heart rate, heart output, and endurance.
One study in particular offered 78 patients suffering from NYHA Heart Failure Class II a commercial formulation of hawthorn leaves and flower. Two months later, patients who received 200 milligrams of hawthorn 3 times a day experienced an increase in their heart rate and improvement in symptoms. The group with hawthorn also demonstrated an improvement in blood pressure systolic during exercise. A different German study also found that the extract of hawthorn (LI132 Faros(r)) was effective, similar to that of a prescribed heart failure medication (captopril). In addition, the extract of hawthorn was less prone to side consequences.
A second study in a cohort of 952 people suffering from the condition of heart insufficiency (NYHA II) participants were given hawthorn ( Crataegus) special extract, either by itself or as an adjunct to a conventional treatment. After two years, the symptoms of stress, fatigue and palpitations (the three most common indicators of a heart attack) were reduced for those who used the hawthorn, compared to those that did not consume hawthorn.
2. Blood Pressure
Many herbalists recommend hawthorn flowers, berries, and leaves as natural blood pressure-reducing agents. A study conducted by scientists released in The British Journal of General Practicehad 79 type 2 diabetics take 1200 milligrams hawthorn extract per day or placebo for 16 weeks. The hypotensive medications were also used in 71 percent of patients in the study.
What were they able to discover? The hawthorn group had greater decreases in the diastolic blood pressure. However, there weren't any difference between the groups in the reduction of systolic blood pressure. Hope that further studies that confirm the effectiveness of hawthorn in lower blood pressure will be published shortly.
3. Chest Pain (Angina) and Heart Disease
A decrease in blood flow to the heart is the cause of chest pain known as angina. Sometimes, it's mistaken for an indigestion. However, angina may be a sign of heart attack. Research has proven that hawthorn can be a natural treatment for preventing as well as treating angina.
According to a study that was published in Journal of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology the hawthorn's bioflavonoids assist in dilation of the coronary and peripheral blood vessels. This improves the flow of blood to the heart, which makes hawthorn beneficial for patients suffering from angina. Proanthocyanidins in hawthorn are thought to decrease tension in the blood vessels' walls. It is useful in stopping angina.
One study found that subjects (aged 45-65 years old) suffering from stable angina pectoris were randomly split into four different groups. One group consisted of an one who exercised aerobically. The second group drank the extract of hawthorn. The third group engaged in aerobic exercise and used a hawthorn extract. The fourth group was a one-to-one control group. After 12 weeks of study, researchers concluded an association between aerobic exercises and hawthorn supplementation proved to be “an effective complement strategy to reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart issues.”
4. High Cholesterol
Animal studies have proven that extracts of hawthorn can be a beneficial natural remedy to reduce the amount in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol (“bad”) in the body. In China the hawthorn berry is known as “Shan-Zha.” An investigation on animals showed amazing health outcomes using an ethanol extract from Zhongtian hawthorn. It is a cultivar of wild Shan Zha with a larger hawthorn berry.
A 2016 study revealed that extracts of hawthorn berries not only reduced overall high cholesterol levels but additionally significantly decreased LDL cholesterol and liver cholesterol, as well as triglycerides and body weight.
5. Overall Health Improver
The 2008 research in the field of science found that the extract of hawthorn berries can effectively reduce inflammation. This is extremely beneficial for health as we know that inflammation is the source of many diseases.
The study also reveals that the extract from hawthorn berries is a scavenger of free radicals. This has enormous benefits for human health since free radicals are known to cause cellular damage (including DNA destruction) through the theft of electrons in the process of oxidation.
A 2008 study of animals revealed that hawthorn extract protects the digestive system. It is believed to kill all kinds of harmful bacteria.
Interesting Facts
- The leaves, berries and flowers can all be used to treat ailments.
- Crataegus species such as hawthorn are native to zones of temperate climates in North America and Europe.
- Hawthorn is a flowering plant that grows in small red, white or rose clusters.
- When Jesus was executed the crown of thorns that he wore on his head was believed to be constructed from the tree of hawthorn.
- Early reports indicate Hawthorns were used as a symbol of love.
- The red berries that are sweet and tart of the hawthorn plant can be used for making jams, jellies wine, cordials and wines.
- A variety of species of hawthorn can be used to make bonsai plants.
How to Use
How do you incorporate hawthorns into your daily routine? There are several choices. You can choose to purchase hawthorn berry tea that is either pre-packaged or in loose. The loose hawthorn berries are often be purchased from sections that are bulk in a lot of grocery stores that sell health foods. You can also purchase an extract of hawthorn in the format of a capsule, or hawthorn extracts in tincture form.
As of now, safe hawthorn doses are between 160 – 1,800 milligrams a day over a 3 to 24 week period. A noticeable improvement in symptoms could be seen in six to twelve weeks.
Side Effects and Drug Interactions
Do not consume hawthorn when you are breastfeeding or pregnant. Avoid giving hawthorn products to infants. It is suggested to supplement with hawthorn to adults on a short-term basis. If symptoms become worse after taking hawthorn it is recommended to stop using and seek immediate medical attention.
For certain users hawthorn may cause stomach upset, nausea as well as fatigue, sweating dizziness, headaches, nasal bleeding, palpitations, insomnia and agitation, among other side consequences.
Hawthorn is well-known as a great food for heart health. However, it may be a problem with prescription medicines that treat heart problems. Other heart-related medications like high blood pressure and male sexual problems are also believed to be in a relationship with hawthorn. Certain specific drugs that have been found to be able to be in a relationship with hawthorn are beta-blockers, digoxin, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) as well as nitrates, Phenylephrine, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. If you suffer from heart disease or other health problem or are taking medication(s) you should consult your physician prior to taking a hawthorn-based berry product or other supplement made from hawthorn.
It's also essential to remember the fact that heart disease is a grave health problem. Do not self-treat using hawthorn supplements if have this problem.
Final Thoughts
- Hawthorn is most well-known as a heart-healthy herb. It basically means it is a wonderful herb for the heart.
- Studies have shown that the small but powerful hawthorn berry filled with health-enhancing properties. These qualities can aid in various chronic health issues, including high cholesterol and angina.
- One of the most effective methods to begin adding a small amount of hawthorn to your way of life is to have the hawthorn berry in a cup of tea.
- Of course, you shouldn't treat heart issues lightly. Before including hawthorn in your treatment program, consult with your physician.