Hawthorn
Botanical Information
Hawthorn is a common thorny shrub in the rose family. The berries, leaves, and flowers have all been used since as far back as the 1st century for medicinal purposes. Hawthorn contains many beneficial substances, particularly flavonoids, including OPCs (also found in grapes) and quercetin. Most modern preparations use the leaves and flowers, which are believed to contain more of the flavonoids than the berries.
Features & Benefits
- Hawthorn has been widely studied in people with heart failure. Studies have shown hawthorn significantly improved heart function
- Preliminary evidence suggests hawthorn may help combat chest pain (angina), caused by low blood flow to the heart
- It is thought that hawthorn causes direct dilation of smooth muscle in heart vessels thereby lowering their resistance and increasing blood flow
Suggestions & Precautions
- Side effects are typically rare, but may include headache, nausea, and palpitations
- Hawthorn can lower blood pressure and should be used by those with low blood pressure or taking blood pressure medications
- Individuals taking Digoxin should avoid taking hawthorn
