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

Questions fréquentes

How does hawthorn work to support heart health?

Hawthorn contains oligomeric proanthocyanidins, flavonoids including hyperoside and vitexin-rhamnoside, which work through multiple cardiovascular mechanisms. It increases coronary blood flow, improves myocardial contractility, and provides antioxidant protection to cardiac tissue. The herb acts as a mild vasodilator by relaxing blood vessels and demonstrates positive inotropic effects on the heart muscle. Evidence Level A supports these mechanisms for cardiovascular support.

Can I take hawthorn with blood pressure or heart medications?

Hawthorn should not be combined with cardiac medications without medical supervision. It may potentiate the effects of beta-blockers, digoxin, calcium channel blockers, and other heart medications, potentially causing hypotension or altered heart rhythm. Concurrent use with antihypertensive drugs may cause blood pressure to drop too low. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining hawthorn with prescription cardiovascular medications.

What is the recommended dosage for hawthorn extract?

The standard adult dosage for hawthorn is 300-900mg of standardized extract taken three times daily. Standardized extracts typically contain 2-3% flavonoids or 18-20% oligomeric proanthocyanidins. For cardiovascular support, consistent daily use over 6-8 weeks may be needed before full benefits are observed. Lower doses may be appropriate when starting, with gradual increases as tolerated.

Is hawthorn safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Hawthorn is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding and should be avoided. The herb's cardiovascular effects and potential to stimulate uterine tissue pose risks during pregnancy. There is insufficient safety data for lactation. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should not use hawthorn supplements without explicit approval from their healthcare provider.

What is hawthorn used for in herbal medicine?

Hawthorn is primarily used as a European cardiac tonic for supporting cardiovascular health. Evidence Level A supports its use for mild to moderate heart failure, hypertension, and cardiac insufficiency. It may help improve exercise tolerance in heart patients and support healthy circulation. Traditional uses include atherosclerosis prevention and general heart tonic applications. Full-spectrum preparations combining leaves, flowers, and berries offer comprehensive cardiovascular benefits.

What are the side effects of taking hawthorn supplements?

Hawthorn is generally well-tolerated, but some users may experience gastrointestinal upset, headache, or dizziness. These effects are typically mild and often resolve with continued use or dose adjustment. Taking hawthorn with food may reduce GI discomfort. Serious side effects are rare when used appropriately. Discontinue use and seek medical attention if you experience irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, or signs of allergic reaction.

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 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Crataegus oxyacantha is a medicinal shrub primarily used for cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure and hypertension [PMID:11887407, PMID:27655074].

Contexte

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is a fruit-bearing shrub with a long history of medicinal use in Europe, China, and North America [PMID:11887407, PMID:30325712, PMID:24459528].

Usages traditionnels

Traditional uses include the treatment of digestive ailments, dyspnea, kidney stones, and cardiovascular disorders [PMID:11887407, PMID:28277037, PMID:30058501].

Composés actifs

Chief active substances include oligomeric procyanidins, flavonoids (such as vitexin, quercetin, hyperoside, and naringenin), phenolic acids, and triterpenes [PMID:27655074, PMID:16011292, PMID:30835544].

Mécanisme d'action

Cardiovascular effects are attributed to positive inotropic activity, improvement of coronary blood flow, increased blood vessel wall integrity, and enhanced oxygen utilization [PMID:11887407]. Other reported activities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticholinesterase inhibition [PMID:24459528, PMID:28638340].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve BCongestive Heart Failure (NYHA Class I-III)

Shown promise in treatment of NYHA functional class II CHF in both uncontrolled and controlled trials; reviews of placebo-controlled trials report subjective and objective improvement in mild forms (NYHA I-III) [PMID:11887407, PMID:24459528]

Preuve BElectrocardiographic effects (Healthy Volunteers)

A single 160-mg dose showed no significant differences in QTc, PR, or QRS intervals compared to placebo [PMID:29672935]

Preuve DAnxiety

Showed promising effects on anxiety in animal models [PMID:33480339]

Preuve CHypertension and Hyperlipidemia

Reviews of placebo-controlled trials report improvement in hypertension and hyperlipidemia [PMID:24459528]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Fruit extract may induce DNA damage in leukocytes and HepG2 cells at concentrations of 10 µg/ml or higher [PMID:28277037]. Leaf and bark extracts increased micronucleated erythrocytes at a 2000 mg/kg dose in mice [PMID:34686027].

Grossesse et allaitement

In a rat model, aqueous leaf extracts showed teratogenic effects, while both aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts generated short-term cytotoxic and genotoxic damage during pregnancy [PMID:37376012].

Synthèse des preuves

Evidence is strongest for cardiovascular support (NYHA Class I-II heart failure) through clinical trials and reviews, while other effects (anxiolytic, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer) are primarily based on animal models or in vitro studies.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 33480339 (2022) — Anti-anxiety Properties of Selected Medicinal Plants. · Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
2.PMID: 11887407 (2002) — Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses. · American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
3.PMID: 27655074 (2018) — Phytochemical and Pharmacological Activity Profile of Crataegus oxyacantha L. (Hawthorn) - A Cardiotonic Herb. · Current medicinal chemistry
4.PMID: 16011292 (2005) — [Crataegus oxyacantha (aubepine) in the use as herb medicine in France]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5.PMID: 30058501 (2019) — Hepatoprotective Effects of Algerian Crataegus oxyacantha Leaves.

Hawthorn Leaf Flower Berry

Sources et citations

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