What Is Hawthorn Good for and Are There Side Effects?

Hawthorn is a common plant with extraordinary properties. It is used to treat heart disease, arthritis, and inflammation. Potential side effects may include drug interactions.

Hawthorn is a great source of antioxidants and has a long history of medicinal use. Researchers continue to study its potential therapeutic uses, particularly for heart disease.

Hawthorn is a thorny shrub found in temperate areas across North America, Europe, and Asia.

The plant produces flowers and berries, and its leaves can be harvested throughout the year.

Hawthorn has been used since ancient times and is a staple in traditional Chinese medicine.

Hawthorn is available as a dietary supplement and has garnered renewed interest in Western medicine.

Therapeutic benefits of hawthorn

Hawthorn’s high levels of antioxidants, including flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins, contribute to its therapeutic effects.

Antioxidants reduce the negative effects of free radicals in the body, which can cause damage to cells and DNA.

Potential therapeutic uses of hawthorn

Hawthorn has been traditionally used to treat heart disease, lower cholesterol, aid digestion, and improve anxiety. However, further research is needed to confirm these effects.

Heart disease

Several studies have shown that hawthorn can stabilize existing plaques in arteries and reduce the level of circulating cholesterol and triglycerides.

Hawthorn has also been studied for its effect on heart failure, with some positive results in improving exercise tolerance.

Although more research is required, hawthorn shows promising effects on improving blood flow, protecting blood vessels, and lowering blood pressure.

Research suggests that hawthorn can enhance digestive enzyme activity and improve appetite.

Inflammation

Hawthorn inhibits pro-inflammatory compounds and can reduce nitric oxide levels, which are produced during inflammation.

Hawthorn has been used traditionally for anxiety, and some studies have shown positive effects when combined with other herbal remedies. However, more research is needed to fully understand its impact on anxiety symptoms.

QUESTION

Side effects of hawthorn

The most common side effects of hawthorn are dizziness, vertigo, nausea, fatigue, heart palpitations, and headache.

Hawthorn can interact with certain medications, including commonly prescribed heart medications, nasal decongestants, and erectile dysfunction medications. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking hawthorn or any new supplement.

Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also consult with their physician before using hawthorn supplements.

While hawthorn supplements are generally safe, it is essential to purchase them from reputable sources and follow recommended dosages.

Furthermore, consuming the hawthorn plant itself, such as its berries, is considered safe and commonly used in various food products.

Hawthorn is safe to consume and may provide health benefits

Hawthorn is a common plant used for centuries to treat various ailments. While more research is needed to confirm its therapeutic effects, studies have shown potential benefits for heart disease, digestion, inflammation, and anxiety.

It is important to note that hawthorn supplements should be purchased from reputable sources and that consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended.

Sources:

Alternative and Complementary Therapies: “Nervine Herbs for Treating Anxiety.”

American Family Physician: “Health Effects of Hawthorn.”

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy: “Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses.”

European Journal of Heart Failure: “The efficacy and safety of Crataegus extract WS® 1442 in patients with heart failure: the SPICE trial.”

Frontiers in Pharmacology: “Roles and Mechanisms of Hawthorn and Its Extracts on Atherosclerosis: A Review.”

Harvard Health Publishing: “Understanding acute and chronic inflammation.”

Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health: “Antioxidants.”

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: “Hawthorn.”

Journal of Food Safety and Quality: “Effects of yeast hawthorn compound preparation on digestion in the human body.”

Medical Science Monitor: “Total Flavonoid Extract from Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) Improves Inflammatory Cytokines-Evoked Epithelial Barrier Deficit.”

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: “Hawthorn.”

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: “What is atherosclerosis?”

Nutrition Research and Practice: “Anti-inflammatory effect of the water fraction from hawthorn fruit on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.”

Phytomedicine: “Efficacy of the Hawthorn (Crataegus) preparation LI 132 in 78 patients with chronic congestive heart failure defined as NYHA functional class II.”

Scientific Research: “Hawthorn Nectar Enhances Gastrointestinal Motility as Well as Stimulates Intestinal Amylase and Lipase Activities in Mice.”