| What Is Hawthorn? | | | | the passageway and ultimately affect the amount |
| Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha), a rose family | | | | of blood flow to the heart. This can further lead |
| member popularly planted along hedges to deter | | | | to complications such as heart attack and stroke. |
| trespassers with its prickly branches, has | | | | Scientists are currently investigating Hawthorn's |
| heart-healthy properties that ancient Greeks and | | | | bioactive compounds as a substance that can |
| Native Americans recognized centuries ago. Its | | | | prevent the oxidation of "bad" cholesterol in the |
| modern reputation as a healing agent dates to | | | | body. More research is needed to determine the |
| Victorian times, when an Irish physicians secret | | | | potential preventative applications of this |
| heart formula was ultimately revealed to contain a | | | | supplement. |
| Tincture made from the bright red berries. | | | | · Treat Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). |
| Hawthorn is now a frequently prescribed heart | | | | A study of 102 patients diagnosed with mild |
| remedy in Europe. A potent Antioxidant, it | | | | cardiac insufficiency showed that a preparation of |
| appears to work by opening up blood vessels that | | | | Hawthorn improved scores on 7 measures of |
| feed the heart, thus increasing this muscles | | | | cardiac insufficiency. The study however did not |
| energy supply and enhancing its pumping power. It | | | | demonstrate a more significant improvement than |
| also helps to relieve mild or stable Angina (chest | | | | that of conventional drug treatment. Other studies |
| pain), control high blood pressure, strengthen heart | | | | have shown that supplementing your diet with |
| function, and reinforce a normal heartbeat. | | | | Hawthorn may improve symptoms of heart |
| Hawthorn extracts should be standardized to | | | | failure such as dyspnea, fatigue and physical |
| contain at least 1.8% vitexin, also known as | | | | capacity. More research is needed to clarify |
| vitexin-2-rhamnoside. This is the Herbs primary | | | | Hawthorn's possible effects in the treatment of |
| active ingredient. | | | | CHF. |
| Health Benefits of Hawthorn: | | | | · Improve outcomes after heart attack and |
| Hawthorn may assist in helping strengthen the | | | | stroke. |
| heart muscle and its blood flow by dilating the | | | | Early studies conducted on mice, rats and gerbils |
| coronary arteries. This may help to reduce | | | | suggest that administering Hawthorn may reduce |
| feelings of tightness in the chest and reducing | | | | the size of the attack, and prevent heart cell loss |
| blood pressure. It may also help to induce a | | | | after experimentally induced heart attack or |
| regular heart rhythm and acting as a beta-blocking | | | | stroke. |
| and angiotensin converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. | | | | · Prevent liver disease. |
| Hawthorn is particularly helpful in treating heart | | | | Scientists are also beginning to research the |
| conditions associated with aging. Specifically | | | | effects of Hawthorn on the Inflammation that is a |
| Hawthorn may help to: | | | | hallmark of liver disease. Preliminary animal and cell |
| · Control high blood pressure. | | | | culture study results are promising, however |
| A study of 92 men and women diagnosed with | | | | more research is needed to determine if this |
| primary mild Hypertension were administered a | | | | therapy is viable for humans. |
| Hawthorn flower Extract or Placebo for four | | | | · Treat anxiety. |
| months. Data was collected on blood pressure | | | | Anxiousness, nervousness, and sleeplessness may |
| readings monthly. At the end of the study the | | | | respond to supplementation with Hawthorn. |
| researchers concluded that the group receiving | | | | Further study is needed to determine the |
| the Hawthorn flower extract demonstrated a | | | | appropriate dosage, length of treatment, and |
| significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood | | | | efficacy across populations before recommending |
| pressure after three months of treatment. | | | | this as a primary treatment for anxiety. |
| · Prevent atherosclerosis. | | | | Forms of Hawthorn: |
| Atherosclerosis is caused by when low density | | | | 1. Tincture |
| lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol is oxidized | | | | 2. Tablet |
| causing artery clogging plaques. These plaques | | | | 3. Powder |
| then become particularly dangerous as they build | | | | 4. Dried herb/tea |
| up in the coronary arteries because they narrow | | | | 5. |