Hawthorn
What is Hawthorn?
Hawthorn is a dense, thorny shrub that grows 5–13 ft high. It has white flowers that look like roses and is considered one of the most beautiful of all.
Hawthorn is the common name for Crataegus oxyacantha or other Crataegus species. There are more than 300 species throughout the world. Hawthorn's flowers, leaves, and fruit (berries) are used as medicine, although the flowers have an unpleasant smell and taste slightly bitter. The hawthorn fruit is sour.
Hawthorn can help improve the amount of blood pumped out of the heart during contractions, widen the blood vessels, and increase the transmission of nerve signals.
Hawthorn also is called: Crataegus extract, mayflower, maybush, and whitethorn.
Common trade names for hawthorn: Cardiplant, Hawthorn Berry, Hawthorn Formula, Hawthorn Heart, Hawthorn Phytosome, and Hawthorn Power.
Hawthorn has traditionally been used to treat:
anxiety
asthma
hypertension
dyslipidemia
hypotension
angia
arrhythmias
heart failure
indigestion
Parts Used: leaves, berries, and flowers of hawthorn are used to make medicine.
Adverse effects
Well tolerated overall; vertigo and dizziness are the most common adverse effects
Interactions
May enhance the activity of digitalis; theoretic interactions with antiarrhythmics, antihypertensives, antihyperlipidemic agents
Dosage
Recommended dosages range from 160 to 1,800 mg per day in two or three divided doses
