Hawthorn opens the coronary arteries, improves blood flow, lessens artery hardening and strengthens heart muscle making it more effective in delivering blood to the body.
Hypertension Herb Hawthorn
Hawthorn Plant: Crataegus (hawthorn) is a large genus of shrubs and trees of the family Rosaceae native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, and North America. It usually grows to 5 to 15 meters (16 to 49 feet) tall, with small pome fruit and thorny branches.
Hawthorn has been traditionally used to treat heart disease ranging from an irregular heartbeat, hypertension, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure. American doctors were using it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses.
During ancient times, every part of the bush (flowers, berries, leaves, stems and bark) were used to make medicines. Most modern preparations use the leaves and flowers, which are believed to contain more flavonoids than the berries.
Other names of Hawthorn: Crataegus can commonly called by different names such as hawthorn, thornapple, May-tree, Whitethorn, or hawberry.
Hawthorn nutritional value: Hawthorne berries are rich in vitamin C along with triterpenoids, fruit acids, sugar alcohols, phenolic compounds, procyanidins, flavonols, and some other components beneficial to human health.
Different available forms of the Hawthorn: Hawthorn berry supplements come in various forms; capsules, tablets, tinctures, and dried berries & other plant parts to brew a hot tea.
Recommended daily dosage for Hawthorn: The recommended dose ranges from 160 milligrams to 1200 milligrams of extract daily.
How do you take Hawthorn? Boil a cup of water, pour the water over one tsp. of dried hawthorn, steep for 10 min, strain sweeten if required, and drink every morning and evening.
How does Hawthorn lower blood pressure?
Hawthorn appears to dilate blood vessels, increase coronary arterial blood flow, strengthen cardiac muscle contractions, and protects blood vessels might help lower blood pressure.
Hawthorn’s scientific evidence
Studies on hypertension found modest reductions in diastolic measures in the active treatment group. [British Journal of General Practice 2006 Jun; 56(527):437-443.]
Ninety-two men and women with mild hypertension achieved a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after three months with C. curvisepala. [Drugs under Experimental and Clinical Research 2004; 30(5-6):221-225.]
12 Medicinal Uses of Hawthorn
- Hypertension - Hawthorn may help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, strengthen heart muscles, and protect blood vessels from damage. It might help lower blood pressure level.
- Heart failure - Hawthorn significantly improves heart function and particularly useful in treating stage I and II heart failure. It can also improve symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath.
- Angina - Hawthorn dilates coronary blood vessels and improves blood flow, thus help combat angina. Also, it strengthens heart muscles and helps to rid of excess salt & water.
- Atherosclerosis - Research has shown hawthorn's antioxidant property useful in protecting against the plaques development.
- Digestion - hawthorn interact with gut flora to improve digestion. Additionally, hawthorn improves the digestive process; relieve constipation, bloating and cramping. It may eliminate intestinal infections like tapeworms.
- Anxiety - Hawthorn berries are useful for psychological conditions such as stress, anxiety and even depression.
- High cholesterol - Research shows Hawthorn lower LDL cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
- Energy - Hawthorn expands the coronary blood vessels that enhance blood circulation throughout the body, thus a high level of energy and alertness.
- Insomnia - it improves your sleeping patterns and ensures you don’t get up too often at night.
- Vision - it contains Vitamin A that supports a healthy vision and prevents cataract growth.
- Weight Loss - Hawthorn berries help in burning body fats. They boost weight loss and help lose unwanted pounds in a short period.
- Pre-Menopausal Symptom - Hawthorn feeds the ovaries and uterus by improving the blood circulation within the tissues of these organs. It might help women who encounter menopause-related hot flushes.
Hawthorn side effects or warnings
Most people experience no side effects, although some develop stomach pain, upset stomach, dizziness, and headaches. In some instances, people have reported developing a rapid heart rate.
You can take Hawthorn along with your hypertension medication (don't stop it).