When a promising herbal remedy such as hawthorn appears to benefit those with heart failure, the automatic leap of logic is that it might also be useful for other vasculatory conditions such as high blood pressure. Hawthorn is one natural remedy that's been suggested for hypertension. However, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), it's not recommended for this purpose, nor should you use it if you take blood pressure medications.
More About Hawthorn
Hawthorn is also called hawthorne, English hawthorn, harthorne and haw, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). For almost 2,000 years, it's been used to treat heart failure as well as digestive and kidney problems. Hawthorn's modern applications extend to other health conditions; however, science tells us that it's most beneficial to treat early-stage congestive heart failure. The University of Michigan Health System says these findings are supported by clinical trials.
Hawthorn and Blood Pressure
Theoretically, if hawthorn can exert positive benefits to the heart, it may also lower blood pressure. A least this it the rationale used by those who take it for this purpose, the UMMC says. Resources such as USGyms.net, for example, reason that hawthorn's diuretic properties reduce blood volume, and that a drop in blood pressure can be assumed in a matter of weeks after taking this herb. However, the University of Health System indicates that there is only "contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit" supporting hawthorn for hypertension.
Research and Findings
According to the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, clinical trials investigating hawthorn for high blood pressure yield conflicting results. The UMMC cites one clinical study in which 1,200mg of hawthorn extract was given to participants with Type 2 diabetes. After 16 weeks, the group of participants taking hawthorn had lower blood pressure than those taking a placebo. However, the UMMC and cancer center conclude that much more study needs to go into hawthorn before its efficacy can be assessed with respect to hypertension.
Interaction with Medications
Don't take hawthorn if you take medications to control high blood pressure or angina--specifically beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, warns the UMMC. Hawthorn can enhance the effects of these drugs, which may include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, norvasc, cardizem and procardia. Hawthorn may also interact with digoxin, a drug used to control heart arrhythmia, and phenylephrine, which is found in many nasal sprays.
Other Concerns
Don't take hawthorn for high blood pressure unless you first consult your doctor, cautions the UMMC. Hypertension is a serious medical condition that should not be self-treated with complementary or alternative therapies unless they are specifically recommended by a health care practitioner.
