Approximately one-third of the adults in the United States have high blood pressure, but many are unaware of the condition. High blood pressure puts you at risk for developing other health disorders, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Hawthorn, an herb used to treat heart conditions for almost 200 years, is unlikely to raise your blood pressure. In fact, it might do the opposite. Unfortunately, there are very few clinical studies on the long-term effects of herbal remedies, including hawthorn, so there is no guarantee that you will not have an unexpected reaction to the herb. See your doctor regularly for blood pressure screenings, and consult your doctor before using hawthorn or any other herbal remedy.
Hawthorn
Crataegus oxyancantha is the botanical name for hawthorn, a thorny shrub known for its stunning white springtime blossoms. Hawthorn is one of the "oldest medicinal plants known in Europe," according to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine." In addition, the berries and leaves of hawthorn are at the top of the herbalist's list of beneficial treatments for heart disease.
Hawthorn's Effect on Blood Pressure
A medical review conducted in 2005 by the Emergency Resuscitation Center of the Department of Medicine Section of Emergency Medicine at the University of Chicago concluded that hawthorn is potentially beneficial in the "prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases," including hypertension, or high blood pressure. The review indicated that hawthorn's beneficial effect on blood pressure might be thanks to its antioxidant flavonoid components. The university recommends comprehensive clinical trials to verify the effects and benefits of hawthorn.
Administration
Hawthorn is available as a dried powder and in capsule form. The "Gale Encyclopedia" suggests taking 160 to 900 mg of hawthorn per day, divided into two or three doses. Alternately, you may take 1 g of crushed hawthorn herb up to five times daily. Hawthorn benefits are cumulative and it might take up to six weeks to see beneficial results, reports the "Gale Encyclopedia."
Considerations
Do not take hawthorn if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The herb might interfere with other medications, including drugs used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease. Do not exceed the suggested dosage. When taken as directed, hawthorn has few side effects, but at high dosages, the herb might cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure, heart arrhythmia and sleepiness. Talk to your doctor about your blood pressure reading, and use hawthorn only as part of a doctor-recommended treatment plan.
References
- Centers for Disease Control: Know the Facts About High Blood Pressure
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- "American Journal of Chinese Medicine"; Hawthorn, Potential Roles in Cardiovascular Disease, W.T. Chang, et. al. 2005
