Hawthorn Leaf Flower (Crataegus laevigata): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does hawthorn leaf and flower work on the heart?

Hawthorn leaf and flower contains flavonoids including hyperoside, vitexin, vitexin-2-rhamnoside, and procyanidins that exert cardioprotective effects through multiple mechanisms. These compounds improve coronary blood flow, enhance myocardial contractility, and provide antioxidant protection to cardiac tissue. The flavonoids also dilate blood vessels, reducing peripheral resistance and cardiac workload. Evidence Level A supports these mechanisms in mild cardiac conditions.

Can I take hawthorn with blood pressure medication or digoxin?

Hawthorn should not be combined with digoxin due to potential additive cardiac effects that may alter heart rhythm and medication efficacy. Concurrent use with antihypertensive medications may cause additive blood pressure lowering, potentially leading to hypotension. Patients taking these medications should consult a healthcare provider before using hawthorn. Medical supervision is essential when managing concurrent herbal and pharmaceutical treatments.

What is the recommended daily dosage for hawthorn leaf and flower extract?

The standard adult dosage for hawthorn leaf and flower extract is 160-900mg daily of a standardized preparation containing either 1.8% vitexin-2-rhamnoside or 10% procyanidins. Lower doses may be used initially and gradually increased as tolerated. Standardized extracts ensure consistent flavonoid content. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for personalized dosing, especially when addressing specific cardiovascular concerns.

Is hawthorn leaf and flower safe during pregnancy?

Hawthorn leaf and flower is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. Large doses may stimulate uterine contractions and affect fetal circulation. The herb's cardiovascular effects could potentially impact both maternal and fetal health. Pregnant individuals should not use hawthorn preparations. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid hawthorn due to insufficient safety data.

What is hawthorn leaf and flower used for medicinally?

Hawthorn leaf and flower is primarily used as a cardiac tonic for mild heart conditions, including mild heart weakness and reduced cardiac function. It supports healthy blood pressure levels and may help prevent atherosclerosis. The herb is also traditionally used for anxiety accompanied by heart palpitations. Evidence Level A supports its use for mild cardiac conditions. Leaf and flower preparations contain higher flavonoid concentrations than berries.

What are the side effects of hawthorn leaf and flower?

Hawthorn leaf and flower is generally well-tolerated at recommended doses. Potential side effects include nausea, dizziness, and headache. Excessive use may cause palpitations or cardiac arrhythmias. Allergic reactions are rare but possible. Side effects typically resolve when the herb is discontinued. Start with lower doses to assess tolerance and consult a healthcare provider if adverse effects persist.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 26 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Crataegus laevigata is a medicinal plant used primarily for cardiovascular support and the treatment of heart failure [PMID:21242072, PMID:18254076].

Contexte

Crataegus laevigata, also known as midland hawthorn, is a species of the Rosaceae family [PMID:21359265, PMID:33562140]. It is commonly utilized in herbal medicine as a leaf and flower drug (LFD) or as extracts from its berries [PMID:17706370, PMID:18698794].

Usages traditionnels

Traditionally applied as a cardiotonic and used in the treatment of chronic heart failure, high blood pressure, arrhythmia, various digestive ailments, and as a geriatric and antiarteriosclerosis remedy [PMID:39598401, PMID:18698794].

Composés actifs

Key bioactive compounds include flavonoids (hyperoside, vitexin-2''-O-rhamnoside, vitexin, isovitexin, rutin), phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid), and oligomeric/polymeric procyanidins composed of (-)-epicatechin units [PMID:32138258, PMID:12822932, PMID:12150807, PMID:16426620, PMID:27776376].

Mécanisme d'action

In vitro evidence suggests the extract inhibits human neutrophil functions by suppressing FMLP-induced superoxide anion generation, elastase release, and chemotactic migration, as well as reducing TNF-alpha and interleukin-8 [PMID:18547815]. In keratinocytes, it suppresses LPS-induced oxidative stress by regulating MAPKs/AP-1, NF-κB, and NFAT signaling pathways [PMID:33562140].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve AChronic Heart Failure

The German Commission E approved extracts of hawthorn leaf with flower for heart failure graded stage II (NYHA), though systematic reviews assess the benefits and harms of these extracts compared to placebo [PMID:18254076]

Preuve BHypertension (in Type 2 Diabetes)

A randomized controlled trial of 1200 mg daily hawthorn extract for 16 weeks showed a significant group difference in mean diastolic blood pressure [PMID:16762125]

Preuve BCoronary Heart Disease (CHD) Biomarkers

In diabetic subjects with chronic CHD, a micronized flower and leaf preparation (400 mg three times daily) significantly decreased neutrophil elastase (NE) over 6 months [PMID:21242072]

Preuve BStress and Cognition

A supplement containing C. laevigata fruits, S. baicalensis, magnesium, and chromium significantly improved performance on tasks of attention and working memory in stressed adults [PMID:41194549]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Crataegus-containing products are generally considered safe and are associated at most with minor and atypical adverse reactions [PMID:39598401].

Synthèse des preuves

Evidence ranges from high-level systematic reviews for heart failure to individual randomized controlled trials for hypertension and cognitive support, with additional supporting in vitro and animal model data.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 41194549 (2025) — Effects of a Scutellaria baicalensis/Crataegus laevigata, magnesium and chromium supplement on stressed individuals: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. · Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
2.PMID: 32138258 (2020) — Assessment of Antioxidants in Selected Plant Rootstocks. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 18254076 (2008) — Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews
4.PMID: 37176893 (2023) — Flowers and Inflorescences of Selected Medicinal Plants as a Source of Triterpenoids and Phytosterols. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 21242072 (2011) — Crataegus laevigata decreases neutrophil elastase and has hypolipidemic effect: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Hawthorn Leaf Flower

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Hawthorn Leaf Flower

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Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Hawthorn Leaf Flower

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Hawthorn Leaf Flower

Plantes associées

Hawthorn Leaf Flower Berry

Hawthorn

Garlic

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales