Category — Hawthorn

Hawthorn berry has been known in alternative medicine as a natural heart tonic for centuries and has even been called “food for the heart.” Hawthorn remains one of the the most popular botanical medicines for heart conditions throughout Europe, particularly in Germany and Switzerland. European studies have demonstrated that use of hawthorn can support overall heart health by:

- relaxing and dilating arteries
- increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to and from the heart
- supporting healthy circulation
- increasing endurance
- maintaining healthy blood pressure
- maintaining healthy blood vessels

Products available in the United States include hawthorn leaves, hawthorn berries and flowers, sometimes in combination.

In addition to bioflavinoids, hawthorn contains cardiotonic amines, polyphenols, and is a source of Vitamin C, the B vitamins, and many other nutrients.

And as it is not enough – hawthorn berries can also be used in cooking much like other fruits for berry pie or jelly.

Over the years herbalists have used the herb hawthorn as a cardiac tonic and considered it valuable for improvement of cardiac weakness, angina, arrhythmias, an enlarged heart, edema, hardening of the arteries, irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, heart valve murmurs, unexplained chronic fatigue and nerve depression.

Hawthorn, a small tree or shrub, grows throughout the northern hemisphere. The fruits, flowers, and leaves are processed into tinctures and other kinds of extracts available in capsules or tablets in the U.S. and other parts of the world.

Scientists have discovered that hawthorn does increase coronary blood flow and improves myocardial metabolism allowing the heart to function with less oxygen. It also acts directly on the heart muscle to help a damaged heart work more efficiently.

Hawthorn has the ability to increase oxygen utilization by the heart. It increases enzyme metabolism by the heart and it acts as a very mild dilator for coronary vessels and serves as a peripheral vasodilator which lowers blood pressure and reduces the burden placed on the heart.

Studies in past years have also shown that hawthorn is excellent for both the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease when used on a regular basis. Results usually can be seen in a few months time.

Hawthorn is also very effective in relieving restlessness and insomnia.

Today, hawthorn is an official drug in the Pharmacopoeias of Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, and Switzerland. As a measure of its incredible popularity, it is an ingredient of 213 commercial European herbal formulas, mostly for the cardiovascular system.