Heart Healthy Hawthorn

Hawthorn Crataegus
oxycanthoides

Hawthorn
hasn’t been the subject of modern studies to the extent that one might expect,
but the more it is the more it reveals that the traditional reasons for using
it are spot on.

Traditionally
it has been used for congestive heart failure, to promote healthy blood
vessels, hypertension, palpitations, and angina pectoris. More recently it has
been used for atherosclerosis and high cholesterol. Some herbalists say that
they also find it useful for autoimmune conditions (such as sinusitis) and
attention deficit.

There
aren’t many human studies out yet, but one studying the effect of Hawthorn on
patients with stage II heart failure looks promising, in that it reduced
symptoms that these patients normally experienced with exertion[i].

A study on
rats demonstrated a significant effect in preventing an irregular heartbeat.

Another
study shows the effectiveness of Hawthorn at reducing cholesterol and shows us
how it does so. It increased LDL receptors in the liver and increased the
amount of plasma cholesterol getting into the liver where it is broken down
into bile acids, which are an important part of fat digestion. At the same time
it reduced the production of cholesterol by the liver.

The berries
have also proved to be useful as an anti-inflammatory, in rats, for the
digestive tract. It had anti-microbial activity as well, being particularly
good against Micrococcus flavus, Bacillus subtilis, and Lysteria monocytogenes.

Depending
on which herbalist you go to there are differing opinions as to which part of
this shrub is the most active. Some say it is the leaves and flowers while
others say it is the berries. Personally I was taught that it is the leaves and
flowers, and I have certainly seen the benefits that they provide for my
clients. Of particular note has been the change in pulse rate. Clients that
have come in with an irregular pulse that were subsequently put on a formula
containing Hawthorn have come back with a pulse that is very regular. Another
thing that I’ve found is that many clients, when they initially take a formula
containing Hawthorn, exhibit a slightly increased blood pressure about two to
three weeks after starting the herbs, but that it goes down after that. Since
Hawthorn is used by herbalists to aid the body to