Hawthorn berry - whole

Excerpts from Nutritional Herbology

Folk medicine holds Hawthorne berries in high esteem for its effectiveness in treating both high and low blood pressure, rapid pulse and arythmic heartbeat, as a prophylactic against angina pain and in atherosclerosis.

The Native Americans used Hawthorne to treat rheumatism and in Chinese medicine, another species of Hawthorne was used as a digestive aid.

Instead, the active principles appear to be the flavonoids which slowly act on circulatory and cardiac problems by causing dilations of the blood vessels, especially the coronary arteries, and by causing some reduction in blood pressure. Hawthorne does not appear to be cardio-toxic and seems to have no cumulative effect. Hawthorne should be taken with or immediately after a meal in order to avoid nausea. Toxicity has been noted only with very high doses.

Contain bitter compounds that increase coronary blood flow and myocardial metabolism allowing the heart to function with less oxygen. These compounds also lower blood pressure by decreasing cardiac output and dilating peripheral blood vessels. It has been used to treat hypertension, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, blood clots and insomnia.

Excerpts from the book Practical Herbalism

Due to the enormous increase in the incidence of coronary heart disease in the last century, Hawthorne’s long-standing reputation as a heart tonic gained it much attention in the research community.

Research has validated this herb’s historical uses, and shown it to be especially useful in treating congestive heart failure, preventing heart attack, normalizing blood pressure, regulating heart beat, and protecting the heart from oxidative stress.

In China, Hawthorne is used to treat stomach and ovarian cancer.

Indicated Usages - Internal

Indicated Usages - External:

Excerpts from The How to Herb Book

• Known as the heart herb; strengthens and regulates the heart; used extensively in well-known European heart remedies.
• Can be used for any and all kinds of heart disorders-organic or functional. Arteriosclerosis, heart muscle inflammation, etc.
• Has been combined with cayenne and garlic for heart.
• Especially good for weakened heart muscle caused by age, and for insufficiency of the heart valves (angina pectoris).
• Alleviates hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart) and fibrillation of the heart.
• Relaxes the blood vessels and thus lowers blood pressure.
• Good for executives or anyone under stress.
• Produces natural adrenalin.

Has been used in the following:

Case History:

An X-ray taken by a doctor showed that J’s heart was enlarged and overlapping the lung. It was also very sore. She drank 1 cup Hawthorne tea regularly each day until the problem was corrected.

Excerpts from Left for Dead

Hawthorne regulates high and low blood pressure, arrhythmic heartbeat and irregular pulse. Hawthorne prevents hardening of the arteries, treats arteriosclerosis and cools inflammation of the heart muscle. Used regularly, Hawthorne strengthens the heart muscle and the nerves to the heart.

Controlled medical studies in Europe showed that Hawthorne lowered blood pressure and reduced the strain on the heart by dilating the blood vessels away from the heart, strengthened the heart muscle by increasing the metabolism of enzymes in the heart muscle, boosted the utilization of oxygen by the heart and slightly dilated the coronary vessels. Almost all the heart patients given Hawthorne showed improvement. Hawthorne normalized and enhanced the function of the heart and circulatory system without side effects.

Hawthorne is a gentle heart tonic that nurtures the entire circulatory system. Hawthorne has proven effective as a treatment for functional heart disease arrhythmia, angina pectoris, age-related circulatory insufficiency, arteriosclerosis and regulation of the circulatory system.

To thwart the damaging effects of a heart attack Hawthorne is the ‘ounce of prevention that is worth a pound of cure.’ Hawthorne improves coronary circulation by dilating the coronary arteries to bring more oxygen directly to the heart muscle and reducing the chances of heart attack or angina. Increasing the ability of the heart to function smoothly, Hawthorne imparts a gentle but persistent toning action that compensates for age-related degeneration of the heart. Simply put, Hawthorne helps keep the heart healthy enough to head off a heart attack.

Used in conjunction with a healthy diet and stress management, Hawthorne is the perfect preventative prescription for persons who have a family history of heart disease. Considered a safe and effective long-term treatment for the gradual loss of heart function that comes with age, Hawthorne is not habit forming, accumulative or toxic.

For patients who have already suffered a heart attack, studies show Hawthorne speeds recovery, lowers blood pressure, strengthens the heart and forestalls any onset of coronary disease. No other herb in the plant kingdom provides the nourishing regeneration of Hawthorne both before or after a heart attack.

Although Hawthorne berries are used in marmalades, jellies, and as a flour additive, powdered Hawthorne should be taken with the meal or shortly after eating to avoid nausea. The recommended dosage of Hawthorne, whether in capsules, powder or tincture, is three times a day.

To make the tincture, steep four ounces of the berries in a pint of brandy for two weeks, then filter. Fifteen drops is considered one dose. For Hawthorne tea, add one or two teaspoons of berries to hot water.

Tid Bits You'll Want to Know:

Caution: Never ingest on an empty stomach as it will cause abdominal pains or nausea. 

Uses: These berries are very dense (hard). For that reason, our favorite two uses are in teas and in tinctures. Hawthorn berry can be used to benefit men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and nursing) and children. It can be used as often as you would like.

Voice of Experience: Hawthorn berry is THE herb for any issues related to the heart. Only Cayenne pepper, and Garlic come close to the positive effects it has on the function and condition of the heart. The combination of those 3 herbs is a powerhouse of a cure. Interestingly, all/any of the 3 cause abdominal pains when taken on an empty stomach.

Storage: The nutrients in Hawthorn berry is very sensitive to air and light exposure. It should be kept in an airtight container and stored in a dark, dry, and cool place. Refrigeration or freezing is great but not necessary.

Questions?: Check out Frequently Asked Questions.

Customer Reviews

CR

February 2, 2009 at 2:30 pm

The teas made from this product has dilated my leg arteries and that has allow me to walk up small hills and further distances.

Thanks

Bob
April 17, 2009 at 6:16 pm

well,here goes nothing.I sure hope this berry is as good as it's played up to be.I suffer from atherosclerotic calcifications involving the abdominal aorta and iliac ateries.I haven't worked in about a year because of pvd,which I can't have attended to because I don't have any insurance and there are no compasoniate doctors that will work for nothing,so much for social medicine HA HA.I am hopeing this will help with my high blood pressure and my claudicationalso angina.OK good luck to me thanks for the info.

Linda
May 6, 2009 at 7:19 pm

My 18 year old cat has been having fainting spells and was recently diagnosed with heart disease and arrhythmia which is causing these episodes. I have a holistic vet who placed her on Hawthorn for about a week now...I'm hoping this helps to regulate her heart. We should know in about a week or so if it's working. I will check back then...

Linda
May 17, 2009 at 10:35 am

Okay, it's been about two weeks now and I have to say that my cat has made a complete turn around. She has been on a combination of CoQ10, Hawthorn, Cactus Grandiflora and Rauwolfia with the CoQ10 and Hawthorn being the main ingredients. She is no longer passing out. She is playing, eating and generally better than she has been in months. THERE IS SOMETHING TO THIS HERB...IN THIS CASE...IT HAS WORKED WITH FLYING COLORS. I just wanted to pass on my experience to others who are interested in this herb.

Ann Holly
April 28, 2012 at 12:33 pm

What dosage did you use?