Hawthorn is identifiable by its thorny branches, white or pink flowers, and bitter red berries. Every part of this plant offers some medicinal benefit. With over 300 species of Hawthorn in the world, you can extract liquids from the leaves and blossoms. You can also dry leaves and berries for use in capsules and tablets. It offers a variety of uses, although do not use hawthorn as a treatment for any condition without first consulting your physician.
Cardiac Benefits
Extracts derived from hawthorn may have benefits for your heart, which explains why this plant has long found use by herbalists and naturopaths to treat heart disease. A report in the February 2010 issue of the journal "American Family Physician" notes that patients suffering from moderate heart failure experienced some improvement after taking hawthorn. Note, though, that utilizing hawthorn as a treatment for heart disease does not decrease incidence of death for this condition.
Reduced Blood Pressure
The berry of the hawthorn offers some advantage if you suffer from hypertension. An article published in the July 2004 edition of "Better Nutrition" indicates that consuming the hawthorn berry stops artery constriction that causes an increase in blood pressure resulting from a specific enzyme. The flavonoids, which are antioxidant compounds, may also ward off damage to blood vessels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website.
Decreased Anxiety
Making hawthorn into tea or other herbal brews may help reduce anxiety and nervousness. The September-October 2000 edition of "The Herb Companion" features advice on consuming hawthorn tea made from 1 tbsp. of dried berries and 2 cups of water, taken one to three times per day, or a tincture of 10 to 30 drops of extract mixed with water, taken three times per day, to ease chest tightness or heart palpitations that come with anxiety attacks.
Interactions and Dosages
Avoid consuming hawthorn in any form if you take drugs such as digitalis or medications that decrease your blood pressure; hawthorn can interfere with these drugs and make them more potent. Do not take this herbal treatment if you are pregnant as it may trigger uterine contractions, according to the "American Family Physician," and because no research has been conducted about its safety, avoid giving hawthorn to children or taking it while you're breast-feeding. Dosages for taking hawthorn extract for heart problems range from 160 to 1,800 mg per day, although herbalists may recommend taking 1 g of crushed hawthorn one to five times each day.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hawthorn; March 22, 2009
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Hawthorn; December 2006
- "American Family Physician"; Health Effects of Hawthorn; S. Dahmer, et al.; February 2010
- U.S. Gyms: Natural Reduction of High Blood Pressure
- AltMD: Hawthorn
- "The Herb Companion"; Herbal Tricks for Easing Anxiety; L. White; September-October 2000
