Hawthorn - Crataegus
Hawthorn or Crataegus, is a large, flowering shrub or small tree that has been used traditionally to treat congestive heart failure (CHF), and other cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, angina, high cholesterol, and hardening of the arteries (plaque). It grows in temperate climates worldwide and has several hundred members in its genus. The fruit, leaves, and flower all have medicinal uses. Hawthorn fruit is also used to make jelly, ketchup, and chutney.
Hawthorn is rich in flavonoids (more than 60) 1 which act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. These can be found in not just the berries, but also in the leaves and flowers. It is thought that they help strengthen the heart so that it beats strongly but slowly. They relax the blood vessels which results in lower blood pressure.
Hawthorn is well-known as a remedy for cardiovascular problems. The mechanism of action of hawthorn pulp in treating chronic heart failure is thought to be downregulation of caspase resulting in stabilization of apoptosis. It simply means that old and dead cells are dismantled while healthy ones are untouched. Unregulated apoptosis can result in carcinogenesis, autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, and immunodeficiency. 2 Hawthorn is cardioprotective and can help regulate lipid levels. It is thought that this is because it stimulates bile, which reduces the formation of cholesterol. For more studies check out Google Scholar.
Tincture Dosing: 1-5 ml, 2-4 times a day. Start small and increase as allergy is always possible.
Possible Side Effects: Agitation, digestive distress, fast heart rate, fatigue, headache, nausea, skin rashes, sweating, trouble breathing, and trouble sleeping
Contraindications: Do not mix hawthorn with prescription cardiac medicines without guidance from your doctor.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any disease.
1 Zhang J, Chai X, Zhao F, Hou G, Meng Q. Food Applications and Potential Health Benefits of Hawthorn. Foods. 2022 Sep 15;11(18):2861. doi: 10.3390/foods11182861. PMID: 36140986; PMCID: PMC9498108.
2 Parrish AB, Freel CD, Kornbluth S. Cellular mechanisms controlling caspase activation and function. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2013 Jun 1;5(6): a008672. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect. a008672. PMID: 23732469; PMCID: PMC3660825.