Hawthorn has been used to treat heart disease since at least the first century reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, NCCAM. While it has been employed to address a variety of heart problems, it is typically used most often to address heart failure -- a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's requirements. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC for short, reports there is "good evidence" that it can help mild-to-moderate cases. Any kind of condition affecting your heart is serious and you should not attempt to self-treat these conditions on your own with herbal medications. Thus, talk to your doctor before using hawthorn for any reason.
Uses
Available evidence indicates hawthorn is most useful for heart failure, but it has also been employed for many other uses such as controlling high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and treating angina, which is chest pain that results from reduced blood flow to the heart. While the NCCAM reports a lack of evidence, the UMMC does point to some studies that showed benefit for those conditions. It is important to note that the results of a few small studies are not enough to indicate a benefit for a wide range of people, so you should not throw your traditional treatments out the window and start taking hawthorn supplements. You must work with your doctor who can monitor your condition and your treatment plan.
Beneficial Agents
Hawthorn contains different kinds of antioxidants such as OPCs and quercetin, which are substances that combat the cellular damage contributing to heart disease, like blood vessel damage. The UMMC reports that these antioxidants might account for hawthorn's benefit by improving blood flow, dilating the blood vessels and reducing damage to the blood vessels.
Research
British researchers conducted a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials looking at the effects of hawthorn on heart failure. Their results were published in the June 2003 issue of "The American Journal of Medicine." Eight trials totaling 632 patients met the criteria for inclusion. Most of the studies used hawthorn as an adjunct to traditional treatment. Compared to placebo groups, those using hawthorn experienced significant improvements not only in overall heart function but also associated complications of this disease, such as fatigue and shortness of breath. The analysis concluded hawthorn offers "significant benefit" as a complement to traditional treatments. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center also notes research that indicates hawthorn contributes to improved overall cardiac function and heart palpitations.
Side Effects
NCCAM notes side effects from using hawthorn appear to be rare. Potential problems include nausea, fatigue, sedation, upset stomach, headache, dizziness, racing heart, sweating. The meta-analysis listed the most common side effects as stomach upset, nausea, dizziness and stomach complaints but also noted that they appeared infrequently, were mild, and did not persist.
Considerations for Use
The UMMC says a review of 29 trials that included over 5,000 participants found using hawthorn at the proper dosages does not appear to pose any problems. Dosages used in studies ranged from 160mg to 1,800mg a day for three to 24 weeks. You should consult your doctor for an appropriate dosage. Hawthorn might interact with digoxin, which is used to treat irregular heartbeat, as well as medications used to treat high blood pressure. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Hawthorn; March 2009
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Hawthorn; July 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hawthorn; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; March 2009
- "The American Journal Of Medicine"; Hawthorn Extract for Treating Chronic Heart Failure: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials; MH Pittler, et al.; June 2003
