Hawthorne Berry

In the early 1800s, American doctors recognized the Hawthorne Berry’s medicinal properties and began using it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses. Considered a “cardiotonic” herb or heart tonic, the flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant were used in traditional medicine to treat irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure. Hawthorn is commonly used to strengthen the heart.


Animal and laboratory studies report hawthorne contains active compounds with antioxidant properties. 
Hawthorne has primarily been studied in people with heart failure (a condition in which the heart is unable to pump adequate amounts of blood to other organs in the body). Four studies conclude that hawthorn significantly improved heart function.


Hawthorne berry has been shown to combat chest pain (angina), which is caused by low blood flow to the heart. Studies suggest that hawthorn may be a powerful agent for the removal of LDL (”bad”) cholesterol from the bloodstream. Considerable evidence supports the cardiovascular benefits of this herb.

References
Bahorun T, Trotin F, Pommery J, et al. Antioxidant activities of Crataegus monogyna extracts. Planta Med. 1994;60:323-328.
Degenring FH, Suter A, Weber M, et al. A randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of a standardised extract of fresh Crataegus berries (Crataegisan) in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure NYHA II. Phytomedicine 2003;10(5):363-369.
Habs M. Prospective, comparative cohort studies and their contribution to the benefit assessments of therapeutic options: heart failure treatment with and without Hawthorn special extract WS 1442. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2004;11 Suppl 1:36-9.
Holubarsch CJ, Colucci WS, Meinertz T, et al. Survival and prognosis: investigation of Crataegus extract WS 1442 in congestive heart failure (SPICE)–rationale, study design and study protocol. Eur J Heart Fail. 2000;2(4):431-437.
Fugh-Berman A. Herbs and dietary supplements in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Prev Cardiol. 2000;3(1):24-32
Morelli V, Zoorob RJ. Alternative therapies: Part II. Congestive heart failure and hypercholesterolemia. [Review]. Am Fam Physician. 2000;62(6):1325-1330.