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Hawthorn Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Used in Europe to treat heart failure, hawthorn comes from the berries, flowers, or leaves of Crataegus species (commonly C.laevigata, C. monogyna, or C. folium). Hawthorn tree was was formerly regarded as sacred, probably from a tradition that it furnished the Crown of Thorns. This familiar tree will attain a height of 30 feet and lives to a great age. It possesses a single seed-vessel to each blossom producing a separate fruit, which when ripe is a brilliant red and this is in miniature a stony apple.

Hawthorn is a common, thorny shrub that grows up to five feet tall on hillsides and in sunny wooded areas of North America, Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. The Hawthorn plant produces small berries, called haws, which sprout each May after the flowers of the hawthorn plant bloom. Hawthorn berries are usually red when ripe, but may be much darker. Hawthorn leaves, while usually shiny, may grow in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Common doses of hawthorn

Hawthorn comes as:

• biologic extracts (4 milligrams per milliliter ofvitexin 2-0-rhamnoside).
• berry capsules (51 0 milligrams).
• extended-release capsules (300 milligrams).
• berry leaves (80 milligrams).

Some experts recommend the following dose:

• 160 to 900 milligrams of a standardized extract containing 2.2% flavonoids or 18.75% oligomeric procyanidines, taken orally in two or three doses.

Uses of hawthorn herb

Hawthorn is rich in bioflavonoids, which relax and dilate the arteries. Hawthorn is well know for the cardiac benefits it provides, including improved coronary artery blood flow as well as improved blood flow in the extremeties. Specifically, hawthorn may help to :-

• Arteriosecerosis (hardening of the arteties).
• Buerger's desease (a condition of blocked, inflamed blood bessels).
• Heart failure .
• High blood pressure.
• Rapid pluse.

Side effects of hawthorn

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects ofhawthom:

• fatigue.
• nausea.
• sweating.

High doses of hawthorn can cause low blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and sedation.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you're taking, especially:

• alcohol and other drugs that slow the nervous system, such as cold and allergy drugs, sedatives, tranquilizers, and narcotic pain relievers.
• drugs that lower blood pressure.
• heart drugs called cardiac glycosides, such as Lanoxin.
• nitrates.

Important paints to remember

• Don't take hawthorn if you're allergic to other members of the Rosaceae plant family.
• Avoid this herb if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Use hawthorn only under medical supervision.
• Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you know how the herb affects you.
• Ifhawthorn doesn't stop your symptoms after 6 weeks, consult your health care practitioner.
• Seek emergency medical treatment if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain that spreads to your arm, lower jaw, or upper abdomen.

What the research shows

Several recent foreign studies suggest hawthorn may be effective in treating mild to moderate heart failure. However, longterm studies showing prolonged survival for heart patients haven't been done. Experts recommend focusing future studies on determining whether hawthorn improves patients' heart failure symptoms, quality of life, and survival.

Other names for hawthorn: -

Other names for hawthorn include crataegus extract, Ii 132, may, maybush, and whitethorn.

Products containing hawthorn are sold under such names as Cardiplant, Hawthorne Berry, Hawthorne Formula, Hawthorne Heart, Hawthorne Phytosome, and Hawthorne Power.