The hawthorn shrub, or Crataegus oxyacantha, produces showy roselike blooms in springtime followed by a profusion of sour odorous berries. Living up to its thorny name, the dense shrub produces long and dangerous thorns, making it valuable in hedgerows for keeping trespassers at bay. Hawthorn berries have a history of use in treating heart disorders, and while the herb is not poisonous, misuse can produce side effects. Talk to your doctor before using hawthorn to treat any medical condition.
Indications
Indiscriminate use of a medicinal herb can result in undesirable side effects. Hawthorn is primarily used in the treatment of heart conditions because it dilates coronary arteries to increase circulation, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine." This eases the burden on the heart while increasing oxygen levels in the blood. Other less common uses include the treatment of fatigue, insomnia, water retention, stress and high cholesterol. Clinical studies confirming the benefits of hawthorn berries for these conditions are lacking.
Dosage
Like other medications, herbs can be beneficial in the correct dosage, but harmful in if you take too much. The "Handbook of Medicinal Herbs," recommends preparing tea from 1 tsp. of hawthorn leaves per cup and drinking up to three cups per day. Consume up to 3 g of dried hawthorn fruit, up to times per day. Alternately, take 1 tsp. of hawthorn berry tincture, twice daily.
Interactions
Hawthorn may interfere with other heart and blood pressure medications, including cardiac glycosides, nitrates and central nervous system drugs. Your doctor may want to lower your prescription dosage if you're taking hawthorn. Do not self-medicate with hawthorn, and talk to your doctor about additional drug or food interactions.
Side Effects
Considered generally safe for most people when used in the correct dosage, hawthorn may cause mild side effects in some. These include nausea, heartbeat irregularities, and a headache. At high doses, hawthorn can cause a drop in blood pressure and sedation. Children, pregnant women and nursing mothers should not take hawthorn products unless directed to do so by a doctor. Heart conditions can be serious or life threatening. See your doctor for a diagnosis, and use herbal remedies only under your doctor's supervision.
References
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 2"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- "Handbook of Medicinal Herbs"; James A. Duke, et al., 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hawthorn
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