Hawthorn

Hawthorn is a small to medium tree. from the Rosaceae family.

Botanical Names

 Crataegus laevigata

 Crataegus mollis

 Crataegus monogyna

 Crataegus oxycantha  (English Hawthorn)

 Crataegus phaenopyrum  (Washington Hawthorn)

 Crataegus pinnatifida

 All species of Hawthorn are from the Rose (Rosaceae) family.

Parts Used

 Berries (known as Haws)

 Bark

 Flowers

 Leaves

 Although the Berries from Hawthorn were formerly believed to be the most biologically active part of Hawthorn, recent research has determined that the leaves and flowers contain greater quantities of the biologically active components.

Most of the beneficial actions of Hawthorn are attributable to its Flavanols - Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs), although in clinical trials Hawthorn has proven most effective when the whole berries are used, rather than isolated constituents from them.

Cardiovascular System

 Hawthorn (180 mg per day standardized to contain 18.75% OPCs) may alleviate Angina, improves the ability of Angina patients to Exercise and reduces the frequency of Angina attacks (by improving Blood Circulation to the Heart).  ^[1]

 Hawthorn may prevent and treat Arrhythmias.  ^[2]

 Hawthorn may improve the structural integrity of the Collagen content of Arteries (due to the OPCs content of Hawthorn).  ^[3]

 Hawthorn may prevent and treat Atherosclerosis (primarily due to the OPCs content of Hawthorn decreasing the size of existing Atherosclerotic Plaques, by improving the integrity of the Collagen content of Blood Vessels and by lowering Cholesterol levels).  ^[4]

 Hawthorn may improve Blood Circulation (especially to the Heart) by dilating the coronary (and other) Blood Vessels:  ^[5]

 By dilating coronary Blood Vessels, Hawthorn may improve the delivery of Oxygen to the Heart.