Medicinal Properties Of Hawthorn Berries – Hawthorn berries are a group of tree plants in the Rosaceae family that are native to the temperate regions of Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Parts of the Middle East consider the plant sacred. Many historians believe that this may have been the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus during his crucifixion. In this article you will discover 5 great benefits of hawthorn berries.
This medicinal herb is known as one of the greatest natural remedies for improving cardiovascular function. Hawthorn is endorsed as a cardiovascular aid by Commission E—an important arm of the German government that studies and approves natural therapies (1, 2).
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Medicinal Properties Of Hawthorn Berries
In Europe, it is widely used to improve the circulatory system, treat angina pectoris, high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure. It is renowned for its ability to strengthen the heart and blood vessels and restore healthy muscle tone to the heart wall.
Hawthorn Berries: Identify, Harvest, And Make An Extract |
Hawthorn berries are packed with a wide variety of powerful antioxidant nutrients. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress and tissue damage in the body. The unique blend of antioxidants found in hawthorn comes from a group of phytonutrients (3). These include tannins, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids. The standardization of hawthorn products is based on the total content of flavonoids (2.2%) and proanthocyanidins (18.75%).
Hawthorn berries have been well studied in individuals with congestive heart failure (4, 5). Five of the six main studies conducted found dramatic improvements in symptoms (such as shortness of breath and fatigue).
One study showed that hawthorn (taken at a dose of 900 mg/day) for 2 months was as effective as low doses of captopril (a major heart drug) in improving common symptoms associated with congestive heart failure (6).
The unique blend of antioxidants in hawthorn creates a strong vasodilating effect. It works to improve the endothelial function of the blood vessel where the vessel is able to open with less resistance. This allows more blood flow to the working tissues and improves oxygen utilization. This is mainly due to the flavonoids rutin and vitexin along with proanthocyanins (7, 8).
Ways Hawthorn Berry Improves Heart Health
Hawthorn improves the metabolism of heart cells and increases the flow of electrolytes through heart cells. This prevents or corrects heart rhythm abnormalities and strongly promotes a healthy heart rhythm.
Hawthorne contains flavones that improve the function of some heart enzymes. This effect increases the contractile force of the heart, which effectively increases stroke volume while increasing the heart’s tolerance to hypoxic conditions (9). It also improves the heart’s ability to generate energy through anaerobic metabolism, which improves the heart’s ability to withstand stress.
Hawthorn also acts as an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Increased ACE causes an increase in angiotensin II and systemic vasoconstriction. This process increases blood pressure.
By modulating ACE levels, Hawthorn helps normalize blood pressure and reduce stress on the cardiovascular system. It usually takes two to four weeks for the body to adapt to hawthorn and have lasting effects on blood pressure (10, 11, 12).
Essential Health Benefits Of Hawthorn Berry
Hawthorn also helps protect joints thanks to its unique blend of antioxidants. These phytonutrients repel specific classes of free radicals known to damage tissue collagen, leading to arthritic conditions. Natural remedies that support healthy collagen improve the health of joints, skin, hair and nails.
When you get hawthorn berries, make sure you get the whole plant – leaves, flowers and berries. Berries contain more proanthocyanins, while flowers and leaves contain more vitexin. The most effective way to consume hawthorn, if you can’t get it fresh, is dried and ground. Here is the dried version and here is a combination of hawthorn with its cousin hibiscus in an organic tea
Add the fresh plant or the dried form to cocktails or teas and consume daily. Its antioxidant and cardiovascular effects make it great to use before/after exercise. This improves post-exercise recovery by improving oxygen flow and neutralizing scavenging free radicals from damaged tissues.
You can also find a great herbal tincture here that is easy to use. You can also use the Nutrigold Hawthorn Gold supplement here
Hawthorn (crataegus Oxycantha)
Sources for this article include: 1. Tassell MC, Kingston R, Gilroy D, Lehane M, Furey A. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Review of pharmacognosy. 2010;4(7):32-41. 2. Chang WT, Dao J, Shao ZH. Hawthorn: potential role in cardiovascular disease. Am J Chin Med. 2005;33(1):1-10. PMID: 15844828 3. Rigelsky JM, Sweet BV. Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2002 Mar 1;59(5):417-22. PMID: 11887407 4. Pittler MH, Guo R, Ernst E. Hawthorn extract for the treatment of chronic heart failure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD005312. PMID: 18254076 5. Pittler MH, Schmidt K, Ernst E. Hawthorn extract for the treatment of chronic heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. Am J Med. 2003 Jun 1;114(8):665-74. PMID: 12798455 6. Zick SM, Vautaw BM, Gillespie B, Aaronson KD. A blinded chronic heart failure (HERB CHF) randomized trial with hawthorn extract. European Journal of Heart Failure. 2009;11(10):990-999. 7. Asher GN, Viera AJ, Weaver MA, Dominik R, Caughey M, Hinderliter AL. Effect of standardized hawthorn extract on flow-mediated dilation in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults: a randomized, controlled crossover study. BMC Complement Altern Med. March 29, 2012;12:26 pm. PMID: 22458601 8. Herbal preparations for the regulation of heart rhythms Link here 9. Elango C, Devaraj SN. Immunomodulatory effect of hawthorn extract in an experimental model of stroke. J Neuroinflamm. 2010 Dec 30;7:97. PMID: 21192826 10. Walker AF, Marakis G, Morris AP, Robinson PA. Promising hypotensive effect of hawthorn extract: a randomized double-blind pilot study in mild essential hypertension. Phytother Res. 2002 Feb;16(1):48-54. PMID: 11807965 11. Dahmer S, Scott E. Health effects of hawthorn. Am Fam Physician. 2010 Feb 15;81(4):465-8. PMID: 20148500 12. Fong HH, Bauman JL. Hawthorn. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2002 Jul;16(4):1-8. PMID: 12597258
“Join my tribe today and discover hidden strategies to improve your energy, brain, digestion and metabolism.”—Dr. David Jockers Hawthorn berries, also known as “haw”, were 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 basic herb in traditional Chinese medicine. In the Middle Ages, Europeans used it to maintain a healthy heart.
There are hundreds of species of hawthorn around the world. Although hawthorn berries are tiny, they have a serious health impact, especially for your heart. They can also improve your exercise performance (x).
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of physician visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States. More than 600,000 people die each year from heart disease (x).
The Benefits Of Hawthorn In Alternative Medicine Stock Image
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 pectoris, atherosclerosis and high cholesterol (x).
Research suggests that hawthorn fruit extract significantly benefits heart health compared to a placebo (x). In one study, researchers gave 78 heart failure patients 200 mg of hawthorn three times a day for two months. At the end of the study, patients experienced an improvement in the working capacity of the heart and a reduction in symptoms of heart disease (x). In fact, hawthorn berries were almost as effective as prescription heart medications at reducing symptoms — and had fewer side effects (x).
Hawthorn can also keep your heart healthy by lowering blood pressure. In one study, researchers 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, participants who took hawthorn had a greater reduction in blood pressure than those who did not (x).
Often confused with indigestion, angina is a technical term for chest pain. This is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart and is often a symptom of heart disease.
Hawthorn Magical Properties
Studies suggest that 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 been using hawthorn fruit extract to treat gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and indigestion as early as the first century (x). Today, studies suggest that hawthorn improves digestion by promoting gastrointestinal motility—the contraction of the muscles that move food through your digestive system (x). Hawthorn may also promote the production of enzymes that ensure proper absorption of nutrients for optimal health (x).
People have applied hawthorn fruit extract topically to help treat itching, sores, ulcers, sores, and frostbite. However, there are not enough studies to support these claims (x).
Hawthorn can be effective when used in combination with various other supplements. Coenzyme Q10 can reduce the incidence of heart disease in its early stages when combined with hawthorn. Ginkgo Biloba can be taken with hawthorn to improve blood circulation and ensure sufficient oxygenation to the brain. Garlic (Allium sativum) and arnica (Arnica montana) can help treat angina pectoris and low blood circulation. Lemon balm (Melissa Officinalis) and St. John’s wort are also used in combination with hawthorn to calm the nerves and induce sleep in insomnia.
Hawthorn Berry: Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage |
Hawthorn is considered a safe supplement for adults. However, there are rare side effects that include stomach upset, headache or