Hawthorn, or Crataegus laevigata, is a thorny shrub with white, red or pink flowers, and small berry-like fruits. It is grown all across the world. Capsules, tablets and liquid extracts prepared from the leaves and flowers of hawthorn plant have been used historically to treat a variety of health conditions. Hawthorn is generally considered safe, although mild side effects such as upset stomach, headache and dizziness may occur. It is important to talk to a physician before using hawthorn to avoid possible adverse reactions and drug interactions.
Heart Disease
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, hawthorn leaf and flower extracts may help treat and manage milder forms of heart failure, during which the muscles of the heart weaken, and the organ is unable to pump blood effectively. Hawthorn also improves the shortness of breath and fatigue associated with heart disease. University of Maryland Medical Center also states that hawthorn may also help reduce the number of medications required for heart disease patients. However, the herb may also interfere with certain heart medications and hence should not be taken without consulting a doctor.
Hypertension
Hawthorn may also help lower the blood pressure, especially in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. Heather Boon, author of the book "The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs," states that 500mg of hawthorn along with 600mg of magnesium may help reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, these claims have not been studied extensively and more research is needed before using hawthorn for treating hypertension.
Mental Health
Heather Boon also states in her book that flavonoids known as oligomeric procyanidins present in hawthorn leaf and flower extracts may help manage mental illnesses, especially anxiety. The effects were observed in patients taking a combination herbal medication containing hawthorn. But as with hypertension, the effect of hawthorn on anxiety has not been proven conclusively, and thus, it is important to consult a physician before taking it to treat anxiety.
Indigestion
Hawthorn has been used historically in Chinese medicine to treat retention of food in the stomach. The ability of hawthorn to break down fat also makes it useful for treating indigestion associated with excessive intake of fatty foods, says Amy Rost in the book "Natural Healing Wisdom & Know How." A tea prepared by brewing tea leaves along with hawthorn may also reduce the cholesterol levels in the blood and thereby prevent heart disease. However, like in other cases, hawthorn should be used to treat indigestion only under the supervision of a doctor.
References
- NCCAM: Hawthorn
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hawthorn
- "The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs"; Heather Boon and Michael Smith; 2004
- "Natural Healing Wisdom & Know How: Useful Practices, Recipes, and Formulas for a Lifetime of Health"; Amy Rost; 2009
Member Comments