Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus oxyacantha,
Crataegus monogyna)
Hawthorn is found in Europe, western Asia, North America, and
North Africa. Hawthorn is a fruit-bearing shrub with a long history
as medicinal substance. Traditionally, hawthorn was used for
ailments, dyspnea, kidney stones, and cardiovascular disorders.
Today, hawthorn is used mainly for cardiovascular disorders.
Hawthorn is believed to be able to increase the integrity of the
blood vessel wall and improve coronary blood flow. It is rich in
procyanidins, flavonoids and flavonols and these chemicals are
postulated to account for its benefits. [9] These chemicals or
ingredients of hawthorn is able to decrease the resistance to blood
flow in peripheral blood vessels, improve coronary artery blood flow
and strengthen of the contractions of the heart muscle.
Consequently, they support normal blood flow. It is also believed
that hawthorn may have benefits on lipid profiles. But, more
studies are needed to prove this argument.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Hawthorn contains a variety of bioflavonoids that may be
responsible for its cardiac actions. Its flavonoids include oligomeric
procyanidins (OPCs), vitexin, vitexin;-O-rhamnoside, quercetin, and
hyperoside.
HAWTHORN BENEFICIAL EFFECTS
Hawthorn may help prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases such
as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and congestive heart failure.
Hawthorn my induce anti-ischemia/reperfusion-injury,
anti-arrhythmic, hypolipidemic and hypotensive effects. [10]
Congestive heart failure happens when the heart muscle is unable
to pump blood as efficiently as is needed. Its symptoms include
breathlessness, fatigue, and accumulation of fluid in the lungs or
the veins (primarily in the legs) or both.
Hawthorns beneficial effects are mainly on the heart and blood
vessels. It improves coronary artery blood flow and strengthens
the heart muscle contraction [1]. It may also decrease the
resistance to blood flow in peripheral blood vessel [2]. Hawthorn
extracts may mildly lower blood pressure in some people but they
should not be used as a substitute for cardiac medications.
People with congestive heart failure taking 160-900 mg of
hawthorn extract per day for eight weeks showed improved their
ability to exercise without shortness of breath and exhaustion. [3-
7]. People with congestive heart failure require expert
management rather than self-treatment.
Dr. Willmar Schwabe and his co-workers [Germany] have showed
hawthorn's benefial effect on 952 patients with heart failure stage
NYHA II. [12] Jayalakshmi R et al [India] showed that pretreatment
with Tincture of Crataegus might be useful in preventing the
damage induced by isoproterenol in rat heart. [13]
HYPERGLYCEMIC ACTIVITIES
Jouad H et al [Morocco] concluded that an aqueous extract of
hawthorn leaves exhibited a potent anti-hyperglycemic activity in
STZ rats, but not in normal rats, without affecting basal plasma
insulin concentrations. [11]
RECOMMENDED DAILY DOSE
The recommended daily dose of hawthorn (flowers or leaves)
water-ethanol extract is 160-900 mg or any dose equivalent to
30-169 mg of epicatechin or 3.5-19.8 mg of flavonoids. [8]
HAWTHORN SIDE EFFECTS
Though hawthorn has found to have many benfits, its side effects
are serious. Even at therapeutic dosages, hawthorn may cause a
mild rash, headache, sweating, dizziness, palpitations, sleepiness,
agitation, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
DRUG INTERACTION
Hawthorn may potentiate or inhibit other drugs' actions for heart
failure, hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias. [8] Users should
consult their medical doctors before taking hawthorn or its
supplments.
HAWTHORN EXTRACTS
The standardized total bioflavonoid content is usually 2.2% and
that for oligomeric procyanidins is 18.75%. And, most people take
80-300 mg of the herbal extract three times in a day [8]. Though
hawthorn may take 1-2 months to show its maximum effects but it
appears to be safe.
REFERENCES
1. Weikl A, Noh HS. The influence of Crataegus on global cardiac
insufficiency. Herz Gefabe 1993;11:516-24. 2. Loew D. Pharmacological and
clinical results with Crataegus special extracts in cardiac insufficiency. ESCOP
Phytotelegram 1994;6:20-6. 3. Weihmayr T, Ernst E. Therapeutic
effectiveness of Crataegus. Fortschr Med 1996;114:27-9 [in German]. 4.
Schmidt U, Kuhn U, Ploch M, Hübner W-D. Efficacy of the Hawthorn
(Crataegus) preparation LI 132 in 78 patients with chronic congestive heart
failure defined as NYHA functional class II. Phytomed 1994;1:17-24. 5.
Leuchtgens H. Crataegus special extract WS 1442 in heart failure, NYHA II.
A placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study. Fortschr Med
1993;111:352-4. 6. Weikl A, Assmus KD, Neukum-Schmidt A, et al.
Crataegus special extract WS 1442: Objective proof of efficacy in patients
withy cardiac insufficiency (NYHA II). Fortschr Med 1996;114:291-6. 7.
Tauchert M, Ploch M, Hübner W-D. Effectiveness of hawthorn extract LI 132
compared with the ACE inhibitor Captopril: Multicenter double-blind study
with 132 patients NYHA stage II. Münch Med Wochenschr
1994;132(suppl):S27-33. 8. Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Better
Health. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996, 139-44.[9] Rigelsky JM
Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses. Am J health Syst Pharm.
2002 mar 1;59(5):417-22. [10] Chang WT et al, Hawthorn: potential roles
in cardiovascular disease. Am J Chin Med. 2005;33(1):1-10. [11] J Herb
Pharmcother. 2003;3(2):19-29.
[12] Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2004 Aug;11 Suppl
1:36-9.
[13] J Pharm Pharmacol. 2004 Jul;56(7):921-6.
HOME
THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USING ANY HEALTH PRODUCTS.ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 zhion.
Crataegus monogyna)
Hawthorn is found in Europe, western Asia, North America, and
North Africa. Hawthorn is a fruit-bearing shrub with a long history
as medicinal substance. Traditionally, hawthorn was used for
ailments, dyspnea, kidney stones, and cardiovascular disorders.
Today, hawthorn is used mainly for cardiovascular disorders.
Hawthorn is believed to be able to increase the integrity of the
blood vessel wall and improve coronary blood flow. It is rich in
procyanidins, flavonoids and flavonols and these chemicals are
postulated to account for its benefits. [9] These chemicals or
ingredients of hawthorn is able to decrease the resistance to blood
flow in peripheral blood vessels, improve coronary artery blood flow
and strengthen of the contractions of the heart muscle.
Consequently, they support normal blood flow. It is also believed
that hawthorn may have benefits on lipid profiles. But, more
studies are needed to prove this argument.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Hawthorn contains a variety of bioflavonoids that may be
responsible for its cardiac actions. Its flavonoids include oligomeric
procyanidins (OPCs), vitexin, vitexin;-O-rhamnoside, quercetin, and
hyperoside.
HAWTHORN BENEFICIAL EFFECTS
Hawthorn may help prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases such
as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and congestive heart failure.
Hawthorn my induce anti-ischemia/reperfusion-injury,
anti-arrhythmic, hypolipidemic and hypotensive effects. [10]
Congestive heart failure happens when the heart muscle is unable
to pump blood as efficiently as is needed. Its symptoms include
breathlessness, fatigue, and accumulation of fluid in the lungs or
the veins (primarily in the legs) or both.
Hawthorns beneficial effects are mainly on the heart and blood
vessels. It improves coronary artery blood flow and strengthens
the heart muscle contraction [1]. It may also decrease the
resistance to blood flow in peripheral blood vessel [2]. Hawthorn
extracts may mildly lower blood pressure in some people but they
should not be used as a substitute for cardiac medications.
People with congestive heart failure taking 160-900 mg of
hawthorn extract per day for eight weeks showed improved their
ability to exercise without shortness of breath and exhaustion. [3-
7]. People with congestive heart failure require expert
management rather than self-treatment.
Dr. Willmar Schwabe and his co-workers [Germany] have showed
hawthorn's benefial effect on 952 patients with heart failure stage
NYHA II. [12] Jayalakshmi R et al [India] showed that pretreatment
with Tincture of Crataegus might be useful in preventing the
damage induced by isoproterenol in rat heart. [13]
HYPERGLYCEMIC ACTIVITIES
Jouad H et al [Morocco] concluded that an aqueous extract of
hawthorn leaves exhibited a potent anti-hyperglycemic activity in
STZ rats, but not in normal rats, without affecting basal plasma
insulin concentrations. [11]
RECOMMENDED DAILY DOSE
The recommended daily dose of hawthorn (flowers or leaves)
water-ethanol extract is 160-900 mg or any dose equivalent to
30-169 mg of epicatechin or 3.5-19.8 mg of flavonoids. [8]
HAWTHORN SIDE EFFECTS
Though hawthorn has found to have many benfits, its side effects
are serious. Even at therapeutic dosages, hawthorn may cause a
mild rash, headache, sweating, dizziness, palpitations, sleepiness,
agitation, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
DRUG INTERACTION
Hawthorn may potentiate or inhibit other drugs' actions for heart
failure, hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias. [8] Users should
consult their medical doctors before taking hawthorn or its
supplments.
HAWTHORN EXTRACTS
The standardized total bioflavonoid content is usually 2.2% and
that for oligomeric procyanidins is 18.75%. And, most people take
80-300 mg of the herbal extract three times in a day [8]. Though
hawthorn may take 1-2 months to show its maximum effects but it
appears to be safe.
REFERENCES
1. Weikl A, Noh HS. The influence of Crataegus on global cardiac
insufficiency. Herz Gefabe 1993;11:516-24. 2. Loew D. Pharmacological and
clinical results with Crataegus special extracts in cardiac insufficiency. ESCOP
Phytotelegram 1994;6:20-6. 3. Weihmayr T, Ernst E. Therapeutic
effectiveness of Crataegus. Fortschr Med 1996;114:27-9 [in German]. 4.
Schmidt U, Kuhn U, Ploch M, Hübner W-D. Efficacy of the Hawthorn
(Crataegus) preparation LI 132 in 78 patients with chronic congestive heart
failure defined as NYHA functional class II. Phytomed 1994;1:17-24. 5.
Leuchtgens H. Crataegus special extract WS 1442 in heart failure, NYHA II.
A placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study. Fortschr Med
1993;111:352-4. 6. Weikl A, Assmus KD, Neukum-Schmidt A, et al.
Crataegus special extract WS 1442: Objective proof of efficacy in patients
withy cardiac insufficiency (NYHA II). Fortschr Med 1996;114:291-6. 7.
Tauchert M, Ploch M, Hübner W-D. Effectiveness of hawthorn extract LI 132
compared with the ACE inhibitor Captopril: Multicenter double-blind study
with 132 patients NYHA stage II. Münch Med Wochenschr
1994;132(suppl):S27-33. 8. Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Better
Health. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996, 139-44.[9] Rigelsky JM
Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses. Am J health Syst Pharm.
2002 mar 1;59(5):417-22. [10] Chang WT et al, Hawthorn: potential roles
in cardiovascular disease. Am J Chin Med. 2005;33(1):1-10. [11] J Herb
Pharmcother. 2003;3(2):19-29.
[12] Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2004 Aug;11 Suppl
1:36-9.
[13] J Pharm Pharmacol. 2004 Jul;56(7):921-6.
HOME
THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USING ANY HEALTH PRODUCTS.ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 zhion.
Hawthorn side effects and benefits
MAJOR NUTRIENT
DIET.
SUPPLEMENT
PhytoChemicals
Antioxidants
A-Z Health Foods,
Products
Acetyl-L Carnitine
Acidophilus
Alfalfa
Almond
Aloe vera
Allspice
Andrographis
Aniseed
Apple
Arnica
Ashwagandha
Asian Pears
Asparagus
Astaxanthin,
Astragulus
Artichoke
Avena sativa
Avocados
Barley
Banana
Basil
Beet
Bell Pepper
black cohosh
Bladderwrack
Blackberry
Black Currant
Bloodroot
Blueberry
Bilberry
Bitter Melon
Borage Seed Oil
Boswellia
Black Soya Bean
Broccoli
Bromelain
Brown Seaweed
Brussels Sprout
Butein
Butterbur
Burdock
Cabbage
Cactus
Caffeine
Calcium
Calendula
Canola oil
Capsaicin
Cauliflower
Cat's Claw
Cayenne
Celadrin
Celery
Chamomile
Chaparral
Cherry
Chokeberry
Chondroitin
Chitosan
Chlorella
Chlorophyll
Chromium
Cinnamon
CLA
Cocoa
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q
Coffee
Comfrey
Conj. Linoleic Acid
Colostrum
Colloidal Silver
Cordyceps
Corn
Cranberry
Creatine
Curcumin
Damiana
Dandelion
Danggui_Buxue
Danshen
Devil's Claw
DHEA
Dill
Dong Quai
EGCG
Eggplant
Echinacea
Eleuthero
Ellagic Acid
Eucalyptus G.
Eve. Primrose Oil
Falcarinol
Fennel
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Folate
Fig
Fish Oil
Flaxseed Meal
Flaxseed /Linseed
Garcinia C.
Garlic
Galangal
Ghrelin
Ginger
Ginseng
Ginseng/Ginkgo
Ginkgo Biloba
Glucosamine
Goldenseal
Gotu Kola
GRAPE SEED
EXTRACT
Green Coffee Bean
Green Tea
Growth Hormone
Stimulants
Goldenseal
Guar Gum
Guggul
Gymnema
Hawthorn
Hoodia
Hop
Horse Chestnut
Horsetail
Huperzine A
Hyaluronic acid
Isothiocyanates
Kava Kava
Kelp
Kiwi
L-arginine
Lavender
Lecithin
Lemon balm
Lettuce
Licorice
Lime
Lingonberry
Lutein
Lycopene
Maca
Maitake
Mango
Mangosteen
Marshmallow
Melatonin
Milk Thistle
Mistletoe
MSG
N-Acetylcysteine
Nattokinase
Nectarines
Octacosanol
Olive Oil
Omegic Fatty
Acids
Onion
Orange
Oregon Grape
Pantethine
Papaya
Passion Flower
Passion Fruits
Peas
PEANUT
Peach
Peony
Pepper
Peppermint
Persimmons
Phellinus linteus
Phosphatidyl
serine
Phyllanthus
Potassium
Potato
Plum
Pomegranate
Probiotics
Policosanol /
Polycosanol
Propolis
Pumpkin
Pycnogenol
Pyruvate
Quercetin
Quince
Radish
Red Clover
Red Wine
Red Yeast Rice
Reishi / Lingzhi
Resveratrol
Rhodiola
Rhubarb
Rice Bran Oil
Rosemary
Royal Jelly
Rutin
S-adenosyl-L-
methionine
Saffron
Saw Palmetto
Schisandra
Selenium
Spinach
Spirulina
Squash
Star Fruit
Stinging Nettle
St John Wort
Strawberry
Sweet Potatoes
Taxifolin
Tea Tree Oil
Tomatillo
Turmeric [Curry]
Turnip
Tyrosine
Shark Cartilage
Soy
Stevia
Valerian
Vitamin D
Vitex
Walnuts
Watermelon
Watermelon 2
Whey
Wheat Grass
Wild Yam
Witch Hazel
Wormwood
Xylitol
Yarrow
Yohimbe
Yucca
5-Hydroxytrpto
phan
Food Industry
Organic Label
HOME
Herb Side Effect
Blood Pressure
Lowering Herbs
Cholesterol
Lowering Herbs
Supplements for
Cadiovascular
Diseases
Coenzyme Q and
Creatine for
Parkinson's
disease?
DIET.
SUPPLEMENT
PhytoChemicals
Antioxidants
A-Z Health Foods,
Products
Acetyl-L Carnitine
Acidophilus
Alfalfa
Almond
Aloe vera
Allspice
Andrographis
Aniseed
Apple
Arnica
Ashwagandha
Asian Pears
Asparagus
Astaxanthin,
Astragulus
Artichoke
Avena sativa
Avocados
Barley
Banana
Basil
Beet
Bell Pepper
black cohosh
Bladderwrack
Blackberry
Black Currant
Bloodroot
Blueberry
Bilberry
Bitter Melon
Borage Seed Oil
Boswellia
Black Soya Bean
Broccoli
Bromelain
Brown Seaweed
Brussels Sprout
Butein
Butterbur
Burdock
Cabbage
Cactus
Caffeine
Calcium
Calendula
Canola oil
Capsaicin
Cauliflower
Cat's Claw
Cayenne
Celadrin
Celery
Chamomile
Chaparral
Cherry
Chokeberry
Chondroitin
Chitosan
Chlorella
Chlorophyll
Chromium
Cinnamon
CLA
Cocoa
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q
Coffee
Comfrey
Conj. Linoleic Acid
Colostrum
Colloidal Silver
Cordyceps
Corn
Cranberry
Creatine
Curcumin
Damiana
Dandelion
Danggui_Buxue
Danshen
Devil's Claw
DHEA
Dill
Dong Quai
EGCG
Eggplant
Echinacea
Eleuthero
Ellagic Acid
Eucalyptus G.
Eve. Primrose Oil
Falcarinol
Fennel
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Folate
Fig
Fish Oil
Flaxseed Meal
Flaxseed /Linseed
Garcinia C.
Garlic
Galangal
Ghrelin
Ginger
Ginseng
Ginseng/Ginkgo
Ginkgo Biloba
Glucosamine
Goldenseal
Gotu Kola
GRAPE SEED
EXTRACT
Green Coffee Bean
Green Tea
Growth Hormone
Stimulants
Goldenseal
Guar Gum
Guggul
Gymnema
Hawthorn
Hoodia
Hop
Horse Chestnut
Horsetail
Huperzine A
Hyaluronic acid
Isothiocyanates
Kava Kava
Kelp
Kiwi
L-arginine
Lavender
Lecithin
Lemon balm
Lettuce
Licorice
Lime
Lingonberry
Lutein
Lycopene
Maca
Maitake
Mango
Mangosteen
Marshmallow
Melatonin
Milk Thistle
Mistletoe
MSG
N-Acetylcysteine
Nattokinase
Nectarines
Octacosanol
Olive Oil
Omegic Fatty
Acids
Onion
Orange
Oregon Grape
Pantethine
Papaya
Passion Flower
Passion Fruits
Peas
PEANUT
Peach
Peony
Pepper
Peppermint
Persimmons
Phellinus linteus
Phosphatidyl
serine
Phyllanthus
Potassium
Potato
Plum
Pomegranate
Probiotics
Policosanol /
Polycosanol
Propolis
Pumpkin
Pycnogenol
Pyruvate
Quercetin
Quince
Radish
Red Clover
Red Wine
Red Yeast Rice
Reishi / Lingzhi
Resveratrol
Rhodiola
Rhubarb
Rice Bran Oil
Rosemary
Royal Jelly
Rutin
S-adenosyl-L-
methionine
Saffron
Saw Palmetto
Schisandra
Selenium
Spinach
Spirulina
Squash
Star Fruit
Stinging Nettle
St John Wort
Strawberry
Sweet Potatoes
Taxifolin
Tea Tree Oil
Tomatillo
Turmeric [Curry]
Turnip
Tyrosine
Shark Cartilage
Soy
Stevia
Valerian
Vitamin D
Vitex
Walnuts
Watermelon
Watermelon 2
Whey
Wheat Grass
Wild Yam
Witch Hazel
Wormwood
Xylitol
Yarrow
Yohimbe
Yucca
5-Hydroxytrpto
phan
Food Industry
Organic Label
HOME
Herb Side Effect
Blood Pressure
Lowering Herbs
Cholesterol
Lowering Herbs
Supplements for
Cadiovascular
Diseases
Coenzyme Q and
Creatine for
Parkinson's
disease?