Benefit Of Hawthorn Berries – Hawthorn berry, also known as “haw,” has been a popular ingredient in desserts and wines and a key medicinal herb for thousands of years. In ancient Rome, it was used to relieve diarrhea. It is also a staple herb in traditional Chinese medicine. In the Middle Ages, Europeans used it to keep their hearts healthy.
There are hundreds of species of hawthorn throughout the world. Even though they are small, hawthorn berries pack a serious health punch, especially for your heart. They can also improve your exercise performance (x).
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Benefit Of Hawthorn Berries
Cardiovascular disease is the most common reason for physician visits, hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. More than 600,000 people die each year from heart disease (x).
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Hawthorn berries contain phytonutrients including anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins – antioxidants that strengthen blood vessel walls. They may also reduce symptoms of congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat, arrhythmia, low blood pressure, angina, atherosclerosis and high cholesterol (x).
Research suggests that hawthorn berry extract significantly benefits heart health when compared to a placebo (x). In one study, researchers gave 78 heart failure patients 200 mg of hawthorn three times daily for two months. At the end of the trial, patients experienced an improvement in heart work capacity and a reduction in heart disease symptoms (x). In fact, hawthorn berry was almost as effective as prescription heart medications in reducing symptoms — and had fewer side effects (x).
Hawthorn can also keep your heart healthy by lowering blood pressure. In one study, scientists gave 79 patients with type 2 diabetes either 1,200 mg of hawthorn extract daily or a placebo. At the end of the 16-week study, the participants who took hawthorn had a greater reduction in blood pressure than those who did not (x).
Often confused with indigestion, angina is the technical term for chest pain. It is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart and is often a symptom of heart disease.
Hawthorn Berry: Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage |
Studies suggest that the bioflavonoids (plant compounds) in hawthorn can reduce angina by dilating and relaxing blood vessels, which promotes healthy circulation. They also improve blood flow to the heart and reduce tension in the walls of your blood vessels, which helps prevent chest pain (x).
People have used hawthorn berry extract to treat gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and indigestion as far back as the first century (x). Today, studies suggest that hawthorn improves digestion by promoting gastrointestinal motility – muscle contractions that move food through your digestive system (x). Hawthorn can also support the production of enzymes that ensure you absorb nutrients properly for optimal health (x).
People have applied hawthorn berry extract topically to help treat rashes, boils, sores, ulcers and colds. However, there are not enough studies to confirm these claims (x).
Hawthorn can be effective when used in combination with various other supplements. Coenzyme Q10 can reduce the incidence of heart disease during the early stages when combined with hawthorn. Ginkgo Biloba can be used with Hawthorn to improve blood circulation and ensure sufficient oxygenation of the brain. Garlic (Allium sativum) and arnica (Arnica montana) can help treat cases of angina and low blood flow. Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis) and St. John’s wort are also used in combination with hawthorn to calm the nerves and induce sleep for insomnia.
Benefits Of Using Siberian Hawthorn Berries
Hawthorn is considered a safe supplement for adults. However, there are rare side effects including upset stomach, headache or dizziness (x, x).
Additionally, hawthorn berry extract may interact with prescription medications. If you are taking any medication that affects and treats the heart, consult your doctor before taking this supplement. Also, if you have high blood pressure, are taking beta-blockers and calcium blockers, male enhancement drugs that dilate blood vessels or any medication that increases blood flow to the heart, you should consult your doctor before taking this supplement. Hawthorn is also contraindicated for those taking digoxin (x). Pregnant women may also want to avoid using hawthorn berry because it could potentially reduce uterine tone (x).
As a supplement, it is better to take 1, 200 mg or half a teaspoon, once or twice a day, or as your doctor asks (x). Also, you can safely take hawthorn berry extract over a period of 16 weeks (x).
Hawthorn berry extract is known as a heart health herb. Research shows it contributes to the overall health of the cardiovascular system. This is especially true for those who suffer from angina, congestive heart failure, high or low blood pressure and other heart-related health problems. European doctors have been prescribing hawthorn for use under medical supervision for many years, although not so much among American doctors. Overall, this little red berry is a useful ally in heart health and you might do well to add this supplement to your regular diet. Hawthorn grows as both a shrub and tree throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As a member of the family Rosaceae (rose), it protects itself with sharp thorns. Hawthorn possesses a somewhat overlooked medicinal secret: Hawthorn berries, packed with both a sweet sweetness and a thorn. From heart tonic to anxiety relief, here are five health benefits of hawthorn berry.
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In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Hawthorn Berry is known as a heart tonic, and recent research shows that these “fire berries” are cardioprotective.
A 2018 review published by the NIH National Library of Medicine names hawthorn berry as a cardiotonic herb. Hawthorn berries contain phytonutrients (anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins), antioxidants that tone and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. The plant presents positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects with an increase in coronary blood flow and exercise tolerance.
Hawthorn extracts, including berries, leaves and flowers, are also used to treat heart conditions such as bradyarrhythmias and angina, according to a 2016 report published in
. However, hawthorn in general may increase the potential for bleeding in patients taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents.
Food For Free: How To Make Hawthorn Jelly
Should you take sea buckthorn for palpitations? While hawthorn berries have been shown to be a cardiotonic, consult your doctor before incorporating this herb into your treatment regimen, including extracts or teas.
Hawthorn berries contain fiber, a digestive aid that acts as a prebiotic to reduce constipation. Prebiotics induce and nourish the growth of good gut bacteria essential for a healthy digestive system.
Hawthorn (its berries, leaves and flowers) has been found useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and other digestive problems, according to a 2015 critical review published in
Which analyzed 88 scientific papers. The review shows that hawthorn presents useful applications for the treatment of abdominal pain, diarrhea, distension and indigestion. The paper notes its use as an effective diuretic in the European tradition.
Hawthorn As An Herbal Remedy
Hawthorn berry is listed as a natural ingredient in some hair care and hair growth products, but is it effective? In the past, hawthorn berry has shown promise in stimulating the growth and size of hair follicles in rats. The polyphenol content of these berries is believed to cause these effects. However, more research on the effects in humans is needed.
How do you use hawthorn berry in your hair? Many people prefer to include sea buckthorn in their diet, such as making sea buckthorn syrup for pancakes and absorbing the nutrients that way. Others invest in over-the-counter natural hair care products like sea buckthorn butter or tonic.
David Hoffmann, BSc, a founding member and past president of the American Herbalists Guild, recommends making tea by steeping a teaspoon of sea buckthorn in a cup of hot water and then straining it before consuming. It is advised not to exceed three cups a day. A consultation with an herbalist can give you more advice, but you should first talk to your doctor about using these complementary treatments.
Free radicals are unstable atoms linked to aging, chronic disease and cancer. 2015 scientific literature review of 88 papers published in
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Noted that hawthorn berries contain significant amounts of polyphenols, an antioxidant compound that fights free radicals. Aside from the antioxidant capacity of polyphenolic compounds, they are also protective against inflammation and other markers for chronic disease.
Hawthorn extract may contain compounds from the berries, flowers and leaves of the hawthorn plant that help reduce anxiety. An older double-blind study published in
Analyzed a formulation of hawthorn extract, California poppy flower, and magnesium and its effects on 264 people with anxiety. The results revealed a significant reduction in mild and moderate anxiety levels compared to the placebo. However, the specific role played by spines has not been analyzed in depth.
The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also notes the promotion of hawthorn for use in the treatment of anxiety.
Hawthorn Berry, Used For The Treatment Of Blood Pressure (the Silent Killer) With The Ability To Lower The Blood Pressure Without Any Of The Side Effects Experienced From Conventional Medicines
Hawthorn berry supplements often contain berries, flowers and leaves. The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health indicates that the most common side effects of taking hawthorn may include nausea, dizziness and digestive symptoms. People taking anticoagulants should avoid consuming hawthorn.
Always consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before adding any supplements to your diet. Many products have different dosage recommendations, and your healthcare provider can best guide you based on your medical history.
Tiffany Chaney is an environmental and wellness writer dedicated to advocacy, ethics, and transparency.