Hawthorn and Heart Disease

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"Hawthorn has been used since antiquity for medicinal purposes. More recent research suggests it to be useful in congestive heart failure. Rigorous clinical trials show benefit concerning objective signs and subjective symptoms.... No adverse drug reactions have been reported. It is therefore concluded that 'hawthorn] is an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for this indication."

"The influence of the main flavenoids from Crataegus 'hawthorn] species on coronary flow, heart rate and left ventricular pressure as well as on the velocity of contraction and relaxation 'were] investigated....
"'there was] An increase of coronary flow....as well as an increase of the relaxation velocity 'good]...."

"An....extract from Crataegus 'hawthorn] flower heads inhibited TXA2*...synthesis 'experimentally.]
*thromboxane A2 is a blood clotting factor. Modest inhibition may reduce the risk of clogging and thus heart problems.

"Herbal medicines typically contain a number of active components. As a result, some provide multiple benefits and some a mixture of benefits and adverse effects. Hawthorn, kava, and saw palmetto fall into the first category and licorice into the second."

Hawthorn and Heart Disease Bibliography

Prostaglandins (U.S.)

Planta. Med.

Hospital Practice

Fortschr. Med. and Arzneimittel. Forschung, both from Germany: