Why Take Hawthorn Berries – Hawthorn grows as a shrub and tree in North America, Europe and Asia. As a member of the family Rosaceae (rose), it protects itself with sharp thorns. The Hawthorn possesses a little-overlooked medicinal secret: the Hawthorn berries, packed with sweet sweetness and tangy acidity. From heart tonic to anxiety relief, here are five health benefits of the hawthorn berry.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the hawthorn berry is known as a heart tonic, and recent research shows that these “fire berries” are cardioprotective.
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Why Take Hawthorn Berries
A 2018 review published by the NIH National Library of Medicine names the hawthorn berry as a cardiotonic herb. Hawthorn berries contain phytonutrients (anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins), antioxidants that tone and strengthen blood vessel walls. The plant has positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects, as well as an increase in coronary blood flow and exercise tolerance.
Hawthorn Berries Whole
Hawthorn extracts including the fruits, leaves and flowers are also used to treat heart diseases such as bradyarrhythmia 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.
Should you take hawthorn berries for heart 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 feed the growth of good gut bacteria essential for a healthy digestive system.
Guide: Managing Hawthorn Around Waterways
Hawthorn (its berries, leaves and flowers) have been found to be useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments and other digestive problems, according to a 2015 critical review published in
Which analyzed 88 scientific documents. The review shows that hawthorn has useful applications for the treatment of abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating and indigestion. The paper notes its use as an effective diuretic in the European tradition.
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. It is believed that the content of polyphenols in these berries is causing these effects. However, more research on the effects in humans is needed.
How to use hawthorn berry in your hair? Many people prefer to include hawthorn berries in their diet, such as making hawthorn berry syrup for pancakes and absorbing the nutrients that way. Others invest in natural hair care products like hawthorn berry butters or tonics.
Are Hawthorn Berries Edible?
David Hoffmann, BSc, a founding member and past president of the American Herbalists Guild, recommends making the tea by steeping a teaspoon of hawthorn berries in a cup of hot water and then straining before consuming. It is recommended not to have more than three cups a day. A consultation with an herbalist can give more guidance, but you should first talk to your doctor about the use of such complementary treatments.
Free radicals are unstable atoms linked to aging, chronic disease and cancer. The 2015 scientific literature review of 88 papers published in
Noted that hawthorn berries contain significant amounts of polyphenols, an antioxidant compound that fights free radicals. In addition to the antioxidant capacity of polyphenolic compounds, they are also protective against inflammation and other markers for chronic disease.
Hawthorn extracts may contain compounds from the berries, flowers and leaves of the Hawthorn plant that help reduce anxiety. An older double-blind study published in
Hawthorn Berry 1200 Mg
Analyzed a formulation of hawthorn extract, California poppy flower and magnesium and its effects on 264 people with anxiety. Results revealed a significant reduction in mild to moderate anxiety levels compared to placebo. However, the specific role played by hawthorn is not 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 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. Those 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 health care provider can guide you best as they know your medical history.
How Fast Does A Hawthorn Grow?
Tiffany Chaney is an environmental and wellness writer dedicated to advocacy, ethics and transparency. Chaney has a BA in creative writing from Salem College and completed an apprenticeship in Western herbalism and Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Tree of Life Wellness Center and the Piedmont Herb School in Winston-Salem, NC. She is also a published writer and creative artist, currently living in Virginia. The hawthorn berry, also known as “haw”, has been a popular ingredient in sweets and wines and a key medicinal plant for thousands of years. In ancient Rome, it was used to relieve diarrhea. It is also a basic plant in traditional Chinese medicine. In the Middle Ages, Europeans used it to keep their hearts healthy.
There are hundreds of hawthorn species all over the world. Although they are small, hawthorn berries pack a serious health punch, especially for your heart. They can also improve your exercise performance (x).
Cardiovascular disease is the most common reason for doctor visits, hospitalizations and death in the United States. More than 600,000 people die each year from heart disease (x).
Hawthorn berries contain phytonutrients including anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins – antioxidants that strengthen blood vessel walls. They can also reduce the symptoms of congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat, arrhythmia, low blood pressure, angina, atherosclerosis and high cholesterol (x).
The Benefits Of Hawthorn Berry & Leaf Extract
Research suggests that blackberry extract significantly benefits heart health compared to a placebo (x). In a study, researchers gave 78 patients with heart failure 200 mg of hawthorn three times a day for two months. At the end of the test, the patients experienced an improvement in the ability of the heart to work and a reduction in their symptoms of heart disease (x). In fact, hawthorn berry was almost as effective as prescription heart medication 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, 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 a decrease in blood flow to the heart and is often a symptom of heart disease.
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 the tension in the walls of your blood vessels, which helps prevent chest pains (x).
Hawthorn: Herb Of The Week · Commonwealth Holistic Herbalism
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 – the contraction of the muscles 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 to help treat itching, boils, wounds, ulcers and frostbite. However, there are not enough studies to confirm these claims (x).
Hawthorn can be effective when used in combination with several other supplements. Coenzyme Q10 can reduce cases 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 to the brain. Garlic (Allium sativum) and arnica (Arnica montana) can help treat cases of angina 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 for insomnia.
Hawthorn is considered a safe supplement for adults. However, there are rare side effects that include stomach ache, headache or dizziness (x, x).
Frontier Co Op Hawthorn Berries, Whole, Organic 1 Lb.
Also, hawthorn berry extract may interact with prescription medications. If you are taking any medications that affect and treat the heart, consult your doctor before taking this supplement. In addition, if you have high blood pressure, taking beta-blockers and calcium blockers, drugs that dilate blood vessels or any medication that increases blood flow levels to the heart, you should consult your doctor before take this supplement. Hawthorn is also contraindicated for people taking digoxin (x). Women who are pregnant may also want to avoid using hawthorn berry because it could reduce uterine tone (x).
As a supplement, it is better to take 1, 200 mg or half a spoon, once or twice a day, or as directed by your doctor (x). In addition, you can safely take hawthorn berry extract for a period of 16 weeks (x).
Hawthorn berry extract is considered a heart-healthy herb. Research has shown that 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 conditions.