Hawthorn is the fruits or the flowers and leaves combined, of several of the more than 100 species of Crataegus, a genus of the rose family found in North America, Europe, and east Asia. In Europe, English hawthorn, C. monogyna, are used. In Chinese medicine, C. pinnatifida is used.
Traditonal and Current uses of Hawthorn
Dried berries, leaves, flowers. Most research has been done on flowers and leaves. Standardized in Eupean to oligomeric procyanidins and flavonoids.
Dosages
capsules: Up to nine 500-600 mg capsules a day.
Tea: Steep 1 tsp of dried berries in a cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes.
Tincture: 10-30 drops up to 3 times a day. Or follow manufacturer's or practitioner's recommendations.
Traditonal and Current uses of Hawthorn
- If closely related plants are used by cultures on opposites sides of the globe, a scientific basic for that use is likely. Such is the case with hawthorn, which has been used in European, Chinese, and American traditions alike to treat heart aliments. Asian and European herbal traditions have used hawthorn in ling-term prescriptions for hypertension related to cardiac weakness, arteriosclerosis, and angina pectoris.
- Numerous pharmacological and clinical studies have shown that hawthorn fruit or berry extract improves blood flow the heart by strengthening its contractions. Hawthorn flower and leaf extracts improve circulation to the extremities by reducing resistance in the arteries. Hawthorn preparations do not produce immediate effect; rather, they must be used over a period of at least four to eight weeks to achieve therapeutic benefits.
- Anginal pectoris
- Coronary insufficiency
Dried berries, leaves, flowers. Most research has been done on flowers and leaves. Standardized in Eupean to oligomeric procyanidins and flavonoids.
Dosages
capsules: Up to nine 500-600 mg capsules a day.
Tea: Steep 1 tsp of dried berries in a cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes.
Tincture: 10-30 drops up to 3 times a day. Or follow manufacturer's or practitioner's recommendations.