Hawthorn berry, known scientifically as Crataegus oxyacantha, is related to the rose bush. Hawthorn is a shrub-type tree that grows in Asia, North America and Europe, and has been used for centuries as a treatment for many ailments. Hawthorn is available as a nutritional supplement in the form of capsules, liquid extract, tinctures or tea. As with any herbal remedy, you should never self treat yourself with hawthorn supplements without talking to your doctor first, especially if you are currently on any medications.
Heart Benefits
Hawthorn berry is known for its heart health benefits. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that hawthorn protects against heart failure, which is a condition in which the heart is not able to efficiently pump blood to other organs within the body. UMMC states that after using hawthorn berry for a period of two months, users reported an improvement in heart failure symptoms including fatigue and breathlessness. Hawthorn is found to be as effective in treating heart failure symptoms as prescribed medications are.
Blood Pressure Benefits
High blood pressure can lead to heart disease and heart failure, so keeping your blood pressure in check is of utmost importance to your health. Hawthorn berry can help you do that, and it is listed as a functional food to help stop hypertension, according to the June 10, 2009 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." Hawthorn helps lower blood pressure by opening blood vessels, which allows blood to easily move through the arteries and blood vessels. This action, as reported by the Nutritional Supplement Educational Center, helps the heart to become stronger and beat more efficiently, and it relieves any additional stress that high blood pressure can put on the heart.
Cholesterol Benefits
High cholesterol is a major contributor to heart disease. Hawthorn berry contains two important acids, oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA), that have a positive effect on cholesterol levels, according to the February 18, 2009 issue of "Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine." A study listed in the 2009 issue of the "American Journal of Chinese Medicine," shows that Hawthorn berry extract worked as well as a leading high cholesterol medication.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hawthorn
- PubMed: Abstract: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry: Anti-hypertensive nutraceuticals and functional foods
- Nutritional Supplement Educational Center: Hawthorne Berry
- PubMed: Abstract: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- PubMed: Abstract: American Journal of Chinese Medicine: Hawthorn fruit compound and Simvastatin
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