GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Hawthorn is commonly found in Europe, western Asia, North America, and North Africa. Modern
medicinal preparations make use of the leaves and flowers,
whereas traditional preparations use the ripe
fruit.
ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:
Hawthorn helps the heart because it tends to
normalize blood pressure, prevent palpitations and arrhythmias and relieve
angina.
Studies have confirmed that the plant is a
rich source of healthy chemical compounds, including procyanidins and the flavonoids rutin,
vitexin, quercetin, hyperoside, and vitexin, which have been
shown to dilate blood vessels of the heart and thus improve
blood flow (these cardiovascular effects result from taking the herb over a prolonged period).
Clinical trials have confirmed that hawthorn is beneficial
for people with stage II congestive heart failure.
Researchers in Germany recently gave hawthorn extract to
patients suffering from congestive heart failure
and found the patients experienced fewer
overall symptoms and showed improvements in stamina and a
reduction in blood pressure and heart rate during exercise.
Hawthorn is also good for arthritis as it helps stabilize collagen, the protein found in joints, and thus protects the joints from damage inflicted by inflammatory diseases. The bioflavonoids
present in hawthorn also have potent antioxidant
properties.
THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:
Hawthorn is sold as dried berries, capsules,
and tinctures. Extracts are often standardized for one of two different chemical compounds: total
flavonoids (usually calculated as vitexin) or procyanidins.
An average dose is 200mg of an extract standardized for
approximately 1.5% vitexin or 2.0% flavonoids.
MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL: Not established
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
While the herb is considered non-toxic if
taken as directed, consumers should be warned against taking this or any other natural remedy to treat a self-diagnosed heart condition.
People taking medication for a pre-existing heart condition
should consult their doctor before taking products
containing Hawthorn. Hawthorn is not contraindicated
during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
