People have been using hawthorn berries since the first century to treat heart problems that range from irregular heartbeat to heart failure. In Europe, hawthorn berry extract is still used therapeutically for mild congestive heart failure. Today, the leaves and flowers also are used medicinally because they're believed to have more beneficial antioxidant flavonoids than the berries. The antioxidant flavonoids in hawthorn might help improve your blood flow, dilate your blood vessels and protect your blood vessels from damage, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You may experience some side effects with hawthorn berry and should use it only under medical supervision.
Mild Effects
The side effects you can expect when you take hawthorn at recommended doses are rare and usually mild and transient, according to "Botanical Medicine in Clinical Practice" by R. Watson, Ronald R. Watson and Victor R. Preedy. You might experience headache, dizziness, nausea or the feeling of a racing heart. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that a recent review of 29 clinical studies deems hawthorn safe if you follow recommended dosages. Safe doses range from 160 to 1,800 milligrams a day taken for three to 24 weeks, according to UMMC.
Rare Effects
You might experience digestive disturbances when taking hawthorn, according to "The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs" by Heather Boon and Michael Smith. Other rare side effects that you might experience when taking hawthorn at recommended doses include a mild rash, sweating, sleepiness and agitation, according to Dr. Ray Sahelian, nationally known medical writer and author of "Mind Boosters."
Drug Interactions
Hawthorn can interact with several drugs, so talk to your health-care provider before using it, UMMC recommends. This is especially important if you are taking digoxin for irregular heart rhythms, beta-blockers that lower blood pressure, calcium channel blockers to treat high blood pressure or phenylephrine, which often is found in nasal decongestants.
Pregnancy Issues
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should avoid hawthorn berry, Boon and Smithadvise . In animal studies, hawthorn berry is indicated in stimulating uterine contractions. This can lead to premature birth.
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