Hawthorn is a shrub that is grown in North America, Asia and Europe. A relative of the rose bush, hawthorn produces small berries when the flowers fade, just as rose bushes produce rose hips. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that hawthorn has been used for hundreds of years to treat numerous conditions. If you don't have a hawthorn bush, you can purchase hawthorn berry supplement in the form of tea, liquid extract, capsules or tinctures.
Maintain Heart Health
Hawthorn berry's primary use is in treating and maintaining heart health, according to a report published in the March 2002 issue of "American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy." In this report issued by the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, hawthorn is said to improve heart conditions by strengthening blood vessel walls and improving circulation. It is also said to be a promising agent in the treatment of congestive heart failure, as hawthorn improves symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF), including fatigue and difficulty breathing, according to the January 23, 2008 issue of "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews."
Lower High Cholesterol
A major contributor to heart disease and heart problems is high cholesterol. Treatment for high cholesterol often includes medications, one of which is simvastatin. While simvastatin is effective at lowering cholesterol levels, it can also cause some negative side effects such as muscle pain or kidney failure. Researchers at Victoria University in Australia tested hawthorn berry extract against simvastatin in mice with high cholesterol. The results, published in the 2009 issue of the "American Journal of Chinese Medicine," show that hawthorn berry extract lowered triglycerides and the ratio between LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol, just as significantly as simvastatin did. However, the hawthorn extract, which was also mixed with kiwi fruit extract, lowered levels of LDL cholesterol, which the simvastatin did not do.
Lower High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can also lead to heart failure, but hawthorn berry can help you keep your blood pressure levels down. The Nutritional Supplement Educational Center (NSEC) explains that hawthorn opens blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow more freely, which has a reduction effect on blood pressure. NSEC also states that hawthorn's antioxidant properties can help prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which will also create easier blood flow, relieving pressure.
While hawthorn berry can treat many conditions, you should never self treat, especially if you are already on medication for cholesterol, blood pressure or heart disease. Speak to your physician before taking hawthorn berry.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hawthorn
- PubMed: Abstract: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy: Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses
- PubMed: Abstract--Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure
- PubMed: Abstract--American Journal of Chinese Medicine: A study of the comparative effects of hawthorn fruit compound and simvastatin
- Nutritional Supplement Educational Center: Hawthorn Berry
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