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