Your blood pressure reading is an indication of the force of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels. The top number, which is the systolic reading, measures the force of blood at the instant your heart beats. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, measures the force of blood in the short intermission when your heart is at rest between beats. Hawthorn berry is available in 300-mg capsules, and it may be beneficial in treating high blood pressure, although taking herbal remedies cannot replace professional medical advice.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn, a thorny shrub in the Crataegus species, has the prestigious reputation of being one of the oldest herbal medicines in Europe, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine." Berries from the shrub contain flavonoids and procyandins, which are thought to be responsible for the herb's effects on the heart and the circulatory system.
Potential Benefits
Best known for its potential benefit in treating heart conditions, hawthorn may also have the beneficial effect of lowering blood pressure, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Clinical studies confirming that benefit, however, are lacking.
Usage
Hawthorn berry sells in 300-mg capsules. The "Gale Encyclopedia" suggests a dose of up to 900 mg of hawthorn, to be taken in two or three doses throughout the day for adults. This means you could take up to three capsules per day, if the capsules contain 300 mg of hawthorn extract. There is no recommended children's dosage.
Considerations
Hawthorn is generally recognized as safe, or GRAS, for most adults. Although side effects are rare, they include a rapid heartbeat, sedation, headache and a drop in blood pressure, notes the "Gale Encyclopedia." Hawthorn may interfere with medications you're currently taking, including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin and chemicals found in some decongestants. Due to a lack of scientific research, there may be other adverse effects yet unknown. High blood pressure is a serious disorder, so follow your doctor's orders and use hawthorn only under a doctor's supervision.
References
- MayoClinic.com; High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Tests and Diagnosis; March 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hawthorn
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd Edition"; Joerg Gruenwald, PhD; 2000
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
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