Angina is pain or discomfort in the chest that occurs when the heart muscles do not get enough oxygen and blood. The pain may also radiate to your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back. Angina is commonly associated with heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases. It can be stable, unstable or variant, and the treatment may include medications, angioplasty and stenting, or coronary bypass surgery. Certain herbs such as hawthorn can help manage angina and the associated cardiovascular diseases.
About Hawthorn
Hawthorn, or Crataegus laevigata, is a thorny shrub with white, pink or red flowers and small, red berries. The berries, flowers and leaves of the plant are used to treat a variety of ailments. The flavonoids in hawthorn are responsible for its biological activity and the supplements are available as capsules, liquid extracts, tinctures and teas. The dose in adults may vary from 160 to 900 mg per day, although the University of Maryland Medical Center warns against the use of hawthorn in children. It is best to talk to a doctor to determine if the dose of hawthorn that is right for you.
Link Between Hawthorn and Angina
Hawthorn supplements have been used traditionally to treat the symptoms of coronary artery disease such as angina, says the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. According to the "National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine," hawthorn can dilate the coronary arteries and thereby improve the blood flow to the heart muscles, thus treating chest pain. Dr. Lester Parker also states in the book "Herbal and Traditional Medicine" that hawthorn reduces the incidence of angina and lessens the complaints of chest pain in individuals with increased risk of heart disease. People taking 180 mg of hawthorn per day for 3 weeks experience increased blood flow to the heart and longer periods of exercise without chest pain, says the UMMC.
Side Effects
Hawthorn supplements are generally safe to use, although side effects such as upset stomach, nausea, headache and palpitations may sometimes occur. The herb may also interfere with certain heart medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and digoxin.
Precautions
Always consult a doctor before using hawthorn supplements to avoid possible adverse reactions and drug interactions. Also, remember that production of hawthorn supplements in United States is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so try your best to ensure the quality and purity of the product.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hawthorn
- NCCAM: Hawthorn
- "National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine"; Rebecca Johnson; 2008
- "Herbal and Traditional Medicine: Molecular Aspects of Health"; Lester Packer; 2004
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