Hawthorn
H
awthorn, the common name
of the genus Crataegus, is
a thorny shrub with green
leaves, white flowers and bright
red berries each containing one-to-three
or five seeds. Crataegus is from the family
Rosaceae (rose family), which has over 280
species. The flowers, leaves and fruit are
primarily consumed for patients suffering
from heart failure.
Hawthorn grows worldwide and is used
in many cultures, featuring in Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM), Western medicine
and Ayurveda. Many herbal writers discussed
its benefits from the 15th century onwards.
In 1640, John Parkinson wrote about the ripe
berries being used for kidney stones and
dropsy with the flowers steeped in wine being
a sovereign remedy for pleurisy. From the
17th century, hawthorn was increasingly used
for heart and cardiovascular illness.
In Chinese medicine, the fruits are
used to improve digestion, dyspepsia and
abdominal distension, eliminate blood
stasis and reduce hyperlipidaemia.Parts of the plant used
Leaf, flower and berries: all parts of the
plant are phytochemically similar and are
used for the same conditions. Crataegus
oxyacantha and Crataegus monogyna are
the main varieties used in Western herbal
medicine. These are used interchangeably
though recent research has focused more
on the leaf and flower.Active ingredients
The main ingredients in hawthorn are its
phenolic compounds such as flavonoids,
flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin),
flavones (apigenin, luteolin), along with
rutin, hyperoside, vitexin, glycosides,
orientin glycosides and procyanidins.
The plant also contains tannins (1 per
cent), proanthocyanidins and cytogenetic
glycosides and saponins.Therapeutic uses
There is extensive research on hawthorn
and its beneficial effects on the heart
and cardiovascular system. A systematic
review of clinical trials by the Cochrane
collaboration stated there were significant
benefits in symptom control and physiologic
outcomes from hawthorn extract in
people suffering from chronic heart
failure, according to the New York Heart
Association categories 1–111.Cardiovascular
All parts of the hawthorn plant (high
bioflavonoids) support the heart by increasing
the body’s ability to utilise oxygen and the
heart’s ability to utilise calcium.This results in
an increase in coronary blood flow and cardiac
output (enhancing oxygen flow and utilisation)
and has anti-arrhythmic affects. It has been
shown to improve left ventricular function.
Hawthorn has antioxidant and anti-
inflammatory activity, increases intracellular
communication and causes vasorelaxation of
smooth muscle. It is an invaluable gentle but
effective heart tonic.
Hawthorn lowers blood pressure through its
ACE inhibitory activity, its diuretic action and its
relaxant activity. It is also anti-atherosclerotic,
reducing arterial plaques, and has been shown
to inhibit platelet aggregation, reducing the risk
of thrombosis (blood clots).
Lipid metabolism
Hawthorn is also anti-hyperlipidaemic,
regulating cholesterol metabolism by
lowering LDLs (inhibiting LDL oxidation) and
raising HDLs. It prevents the accumulation
of cholesterol in the liver by increasing
the breakdown of cholesterol to bile and
suppressing cholesterol biosynthesis.
Endocrine system
Hawthorn has anti-hyperglycaemic activities.
In rat studies, hawthorn extracts decreased
blood glucose levels and increased plasma
insulin release from the pancreas. This is
promising for human research into diabetic
patients with cardiovascular insufficiency.
Exercise tolerance
Hawthorn has been shown to improve exercise
tolerance in people with cardiac insufficiency,
lowering blood pressure and heart rate
(600mg/day for 8 weeks). Another study also
showed improvement in breathing (dyspnea)
and less fatigue when exercising (900–1800mg/
day for 16 weeks).
Musculoskeletal system
Hawthorn has been used effectively to
strengthen connective tissue and prevent
collagen destruction of joints and thereforemay be beneficial in the treatment of certain
connective tissue disorders.
Due to this connective tissue-strengthening
ability, hawthorn has been shown to decrease
capillary fragility, strengthen blood vessel
walls and help to reduce the risk of strokes
and abnormal bleeding.
Digestive system
It has been shown to be useful in relieving the
symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.
Renal system
Hawthorn has been traditionally used as
a diuretic and to treat kidney and bladder
stones. High blood pressure can often be
managed by reducing fluid — diuretics
are a common prescription with blood
pressure medication.
Antimicrobial
It has been shown to be antimicrobial to Gram-
positive organisms, which could help protect
against infection caused by these pathogenic
bacteria, including infection in heart muscle.
Nervous system
In animal studies, hawthorn showed multiple
positive effects on the central nervous system,
reducing both oxidation and inflammation in
the brain, and therefore protective in ischemia,
along with improvement in behaviour.
Hawthorn also showed analgesic effects,
suggesting that opioid receptors were involved.Doses
Hawthorn leaf and flower can be made into
an infusion with 1.5g of the dried herb and
left to steep for 10–15 minutes. Drink three
to four times daily. Extracts can also be taken
up to four times daily.
Hawthorn fruit can also be made into an
infusion with a similar dose or taken as the
extract or tincture three times daily.
The clinical trials on hawthorn in these
doses, in the treatment of mild to moderate
heart failure, have indicated significant efficacy.
The more seriously ill patient may need higher
doses (up to 180mg has been suggested)
There are no known contraindications for
the leaf, flowers or fruit. It is not cumulative in
the system and there are no known herb–drug
interactions, including when co-administered
with digoxin. It has an excellent safety profile.
Current research to date suggests that
hawthorn may potentially represent a safe,
effective and nontoxic herbal medicine in
the treatment of cardiovascular disease and
ischemic heart disease.Dr Karen Bridgman is a holistic practitioner at
Australian Biologics, Sydney. Photography^ GettyImagesThe berries of the hawthorn plant are packed with antioxidants that have been shown
in numerous studies to be especially protective of the heart.Wo rds DR KAREN BRIDGMAN20 | wellbeing.com.au
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HAWTHORN