Hawthorn Herbal Extract and Cardiac Health

Crataegus Species Protect and Support the Heart

Jul 13, 2009

Hawthorn is an inexpensive and common herb with traditional and modern substantiation in the management of several cardiovascular conditions.

Hawthorn species are in the rose family, and have been incorporated in traditional systems of healing throughout the world for several thousand years. Indigenous to temperate areas, they are shrubs and trees with peculiar lobular leaves and thorny branches. They are of the genus Crataegus, with at least two hundred related species. While two species of European origin (C.laevigata/oxycantha and C. monogyna) have been researched extensively, other species are assumed to share medicinal properties.

Hawthorn species flower from April to June and then produce fruit that ripen in July and August. The fruit turns red when ripe and there are disagreements on when optimal harvesting should occur. Most herbalists agree that the flowers and leaves have optimal medicinal effect when harvested in May or at beginning of blooming cycle.

Heart Supportive Properties

Flowers, leaves, and berries of hawthorn species are used medicinally as cardiac tonics. They work in several ways to support and nurture the functions of the heart:

Olegomeric Proanthocyanadins (EPOs)

EPOs are a key flavonoid constituent of hawthorn, especially concentrated in young leaves. They have a profound antioxidant effect, reduce inflammation, promote healthy blood vessels, and enhance the capabilities of vitamin C.

Hawthorn and Cholesterol Reduction

Extracts of Hawthorn leaves, flowers, and berries lower and prevent the elevation of plasma lipids like low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) by several mechanisms:

Blood Pressure Reduction

Hawthorn extracts cause dilation of blood vessels, inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and exhibit a mild diuretic effect. These activities combine to lower blood pressure in a mild but significant fashion.

Congestive Heart Failure Support

Substantiation exists for the effectiveness of hawthorn in the treatment of congestive heart failure. While hawthorn extracts lower blood pressure, they also increase the strength and efficiency of the heart (positive inotropic properties). They also promote a diuretic effect to remove retained fluid associated with impaired cardiac function.

Dosage

Forms of hawthorn vary. Leaves, berries, and flowers are incorporated separately or in combination. These formulas include crude plant material, tincture, or extracted standardized concentrations of marker constituents. Substantiated formulations generally achieve positive effects within two weeks and are used for prolonged periods.

Interactions and Toxicity

Hawthorn materials are very low in toxicity but, since they are cardioactive they may have a potentiating effect on the drug digitalis.

Additional Resources

Anselm, E., V. F. Socorro, et al. (2009). "Crataegus special extract WS 1442 causes endothelium-dependent relaxation via a redox-sensitive Src- and Akt-dependent activation of endothelial NO synthase but not via activation of estrogen receptors." J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 53(3): 253-60.

Bernatoniene, J., S. Trumbeckaite, et al. (2009). "The effect of crataegus fruit extract and some of its flavonoids on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in the heart." Phytother Res.

Fine AM and Fine AM, “Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes: history, structure, and phytopharmaceutical applications,” Altern Med Rev 5, no. 2 (April 2000): 144–51.

J. M. Rigelsky and B. V. Sweet, “Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses,” American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 59, no. 5 (2002): 417-422.

Zhang Weining, “Study on Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Methanol Extract of Hawthorn-with SD Rat-,” Annals of the Institute of Nutrition Sciences, Kagawa Nutrition University, no. 11 (2003): 71-100.

The copyright of the article Hawthorn Herbal Extract and Cardiac Health in Herbal Properties/Benefits is owned by James Pendleton. Permission to republish Hawthorn Herbal Extract and Cardiac Health in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.