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Herbs and plants

Hawthorn — the heart herb cardiologists forgot?

Sources: 6 · Article: 10 167 characters

Henryk Różański attributes strengthening the heart’s function, improving coronary circulation, and lowering blood pressure to water-alcohol extracts of hawthorn.

  • He lists angina, irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease, and hypertension among the conditions for which hawthorn is used.
  • He recommends drinking hawthorn flower infusion regularly for at least three months.
  • He also says that hawthorn preparations may have a calming effect and ease nervous heart complaints and blood pressure spikes.

What the authors write

Henryk Różański

Preparations made from hawthorn fruit and flowers are popular in both folk and academic herbal medicine.

„Preparations made from the fruit and flowers of hawthorn, Crataegus (English: Hawthorn, German: Weissdorn), are currently popular in both folk and academic herbal medicine. The raw materials come from the species common hawthorn — Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Lindm.) — and midland hawthorn — Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC.”Preparaty z owoców i kwiatów głogu Crataegus (ang. Hawthorn, niem. Weissdorn) są obecnie popularne w ludowej oraz akademickiej fitoterapii. Surowce pochodzą z gatunku głóg jednoszyjkowy – Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Lindm.), głóg dwuszyjkowy – Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC.
Głóg – Crataegus w fitoterapii
Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański attributes strengthening the heart’s function, improving coronary circulation, and lowering blood pressure to water-alcohol extracts of hawthorn.

„Hawthorn flower — Flos Crataegi, May 2008, Swarzędz Water-alcohol extracts of hawthorn have a positive inotropic effect on the heart muscle. They widen the coronary vessels, improve coronary circulation, and have antiarrhythmic, cardioprotective (protective of the heart muscle), and anti-atherosclerotic effects.”Kwiat głogu – Flos Crataegi, maj 2008 r., Swarzędz Wodno-alkoholowe wyciągi głogu działają inotropowo dodatnio na mięsień sercowy. Rozszerzają naczynia wieńcowe, poprawiają krążenie wieńcowe, działają antyarytmicznie, kardioprotekcyjnie (ochronnie na mięsień sercowy) i przeciwmiażdżycowo.
Głóg – Crataegus w fitoterapii
Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański lists angina, irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease, and hypertension among the conditions for which hawthorn is used.

„Uses: angina, irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis, disorders of peripheral and cerebral circulation, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, vascular disorders, obesity. In folk medicine, a decoction of the fruit, an infusion of the flowers, and a tincture (intrakt) were used to treat a broad range of circulatory, skin, metabolic, urinary, and digestive system disorders.”Wskazania: dusznica bolesna, niemiarowość serca, choroba wieńcowa, nadciśnienie, miażdżyca, zaburzenia krążenia obwodowego i mózgowego, hiperlipemia, cukrzyca, skazy naczyniowe, otyłość. W medycynie ludowej odwar z owoców, napar z kwiatów i nalewka (intrakt) używane były w leczeniu szeroko pojętych chorób układu krążenia, skórnych, metabolicznych, układu moczowego oraz pokarmowego.
Głóg – Crataegus w fitoterapii
Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański says that in folk medicine, an infusion of the flowers, a decoction of the fruit, and a tincture were used to treat circulatory system diseases.

„In folk medicine, a decoction of the fruit, an infusion of the flowers, and a tincture (intrakt) were used to treat a broad range of circulatory, skin, metabolic, urinary, and digestive system disorders. Hawthorn preparations improve digestion and have an antispasmodic effect.”W medycynie ludowej odwar z owoców, napar z kwiatów i nalewka (intrakt) używane były w leczeniu szeroko pojętych chorób układu krążenia, skórnych, metabolicznych, układu moczowego oraz pokarmowego. Preparaty głogu poprawiają trawienie i działaja rozkurczowo.
Głóg – Crataegus w fitoterapii
Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański recommends drinking hawthorn flower infusion regularly for at least three months.

„I recommend making an infusion — Infusum — from the flowers: pour 1 cup of boiling water or milk over 1 tablespoon of crushed raw material, leave covered for 20–30 minutes, then strain. Add honey, for example buckwheat or heather honey (good for heart disorders), and drink in two portions throughout the day. Use regularly for at least 3 months.”Z kwiatów polecam sporządzać napar – Infusum: 1 lyżkę rozdrobnionego surowca zalać 1 szklanką wrzącej wody lub mleka, odstawić na 20-30 minut pod przykryciem, przecedzić. Dodać miód, np. gryczany, wrzosowy (dobre przy zaburzeniach serca), wypić w dwóch porcjach w ciągu dnia. Stosować regularnie przez minimum 3 miesiące.
Głóg – Crataegus w fitoterapii
Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański says that hawthorn tincture with added honey is supposed to regulate heart function and blood pressure and ease the symptoms of atherosclerosis.

„Ginkgo tincture, mistletoe tincture, and hawthorn tincture (made from the flower or fruit), mixed with honey in equal proportions, make a good remedy for regulating heart function and blood pressure (for hypertension) and easing the symptoms of atherosclerosis. Take 1 tablespoon once a day.”Nalewka miłorzębowa, nalewka jemiołowa i nalewka z głogu (kwiat lub owoc) wymieszane z miodem (w równych proporcjach) dają dobry lek regulujący pracę serca i ciśnienie tętnicze krwi (przeciwko nadciśnieniu) oraz łagodzący objawy miażdżycy. Zażywać po 1 łyżce 1 raz dziennie.
Rzeczywiste właściwości miłorzębu – Ginkgo.
Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański attributes a calming effect to hawthorn preparations and says they may ease nervous heart complaints and blood pressure spikes.

„Hawthorn preparations have a calming effect, especially those made from the flowers. They may help prevent various autonomic neuroses, including those affecting the heart. They relieve symptoms such as dizziness and the feeling of “blood rushing to the head,” and help prevent unpleasant blood pressure spikes during the postmenopausal and menopausal periods.”Przetwory z głogu działają uspokajająco, szczególnie z kwiatów. Mogą zapobiegać licznym nerwicom wegetatywnym, w tym serca. Znoszą objawy zawrotów głowy, uczucia „uderzenia krwi do głowy” oraz przeciwdziałają przykrym skokom ciśnienia w okresie po- i przekwitania.
Głóg – Crataegus w fitoterapii

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 376.

A study found that a hawthorn drink and vitamin C were associated with lower blood pressure and oxidative stress markers in workers exposed to heat.

Aim of the study: There is no evidence on antioxidant-rich diets in preventing hypertension in heat-exposed workers. We aimed to evaluate the effects of formula supplemented with vitamin C (Vit C) and hawthorn beverage on reducing blood pressure (BP) and oxidative stress levels in heat-exposed workers.

Results: Compared with the control group, systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and log10-transformed 8-iso-PGF2α/Cr in the intervention group decreased by 7.41 mmHg, 7.93 mmHg, and 0.232, respectively, from baseline to day 41 (all p<0.05). When comparing BP levels at baseline, DBP in the intervention group was reduced by 5.46 mmHg compared with the control group (p<0.05) among participants with lower baseline BP; SBP and DBP decreased by 9.74 and 9.22 mmHg among participants with higher baseline BP (both p<0.05). Supplementing heat-exposed workers with Vit C and a flavonoid-rich hawthorn beverage prevented the rise in BP caused by heat exposure, which may be due to its ability to inhibit oxidative stress.

Effect of vitamin C and hawthorn beverage formula on blood pressure and oxidative stress in heat-exposed workers: a cluster-randomized controlled trial. · Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2024
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Natural Science Foundation Joint Fund Project for Regional Innovation and Development, North China University of Science and Technology postgraduate funding
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studystudy with random allocation to groups (RCT)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A review lists hawthorn among herbs with promising cardiovascular benefits.

Aim of the study: Cardiovascular diseases represent a significant global health burden, necessitating diverse approaches for effective management. Herbal interventions have gained attention as potential adjuncts or alternatives to conventional therapies due to their perceived safety and therapeutic potential.

Results: Numerous herbal interventions have demonstrated promising cardiovascular benefits. A number of medicinal herbs well identified to treat CVD are Moringaoleifera, Ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, Celosia argentea, Gongronematrifolium, Gynostemmapentaphyllum, Bombaxceiba, Gentianalutea, Allium sativum, Crataegus spp, Curcuma longa, Camellia sinensis, and Zingiber officinale. Mechanistic insights reveal that herbal interventions often target multiple pathways involved in CVD pathogenesis. These mechanisms encompass anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-thrombotic, anti-hypertensive, and lipid-lowering effects. Additionally, some herbs enhance endothelial function, promote nitric oxide production, and exert vasodilatory effects, contributing to improved cardiovascular health. Clinical studies have provided evidence of the efficacy of certain herbal interventions in reducing CVD risk factors and improving patient outcomes.

A Systematic Review of Herbal Interventions for the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases. · Curr Cardiol Rev 2024
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyreview of many studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A review indicates that hawthorn showed promising effects in treating NYHA class II heart failure in clinical trials.

Aim of the study: The uses, pharmacology, clinical efficacy, dosage and administration, adverse effects, and drug interactions of hawthorn are discussed. Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is a fruit-bearing shrub with a long history as a medicinal substance.

Results: The recommended daily dose of hawthorn is 160-900 mg of a native water-ethanol extract of the leaves or flowers (equivalent to 30-169 mg of epicatechin or 3.5-19.8 mg of flavonoids) administered in two or three doses. At therapeutic dosages, hawthorn may cause a mild rash, headache, sweating, dizziness, palpitations, sleepiness, agitation, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Hawthorn may interact with vasodilating medications and may potentiate or inhibit the actions of drugs used for heart failure, hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias. The limited data about hawthorn suggest that it may be useful in the treatment of NYHA functional class II CHF.

Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses. · Am J Health Syst Pharm 2002
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Perspectives and opinion materials

The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Conclusion Much of the recent freedom from deadly infectious disease reflects historical improvements in nutrition. Over time the mechanisms by which nutrients help people be more resistant to infections are being elucidated. Increased levels of vitamin D may have provided a lower risk of TB and other infections as well as the deficiency disease rickets. It now appears that vitamin C is "extraordinarily" effective in killing the TB microorganism. Importantly vitamin C kills TB in essentially the same way as it destroys cancer cells.”Conclusion Much of the recent freedom from deadly infectious disease reflects historical improvements in nutrition. Over time the mechanisms by which nutrients help people be more resistant to infections are being elucidated. Increased levels of vitamin D may have provided a lower risk of TB and other infections as well as the deficiency disease rickets. It now appears that vitamin C is "extraordinarily" effective in killing the TB microorganism. Importantly vitamin C kills TB in essentially the same way as it destroys cancer cells.
Progress with TB or a Return to the Dark Ages?

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