Hawthorn: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
white thorn
Scientific name(s)
Crataegus oxyacantha, Crataegus monogyna
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Flavonoids
Oligo-ProAnthocyanidins
Caffeic Acid
Ursolic Acid
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Cardiac Disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Hawthorn is traditionally used to relieve symptoms of temporary cardiac disorders of nervous origin, such as palpitations and increased heart rate due to mild anxiety. The German Commission E and ESCOP approve the use of hawthorn leaves with flowers for patients with symptoms of heart failure at stage II described by the New York Heart Association. The EMA recommends these uses after a serious case has been excluded by a physician. Classification of functional capacity by the New York Heart Association: Class I. Patients with heart disease but without limitation of physical activity. Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitations, dyspnea, or chest pain. Class II. Patients with heart disease causing slight limitation of physical activity. They are comfortable at rest. Ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitations, dyspnea, or chest pain. Note that extracts should be prepared with a defined content of oligomeric procyanidins or flavonoids, 160 to 900 mg per day.
Posologie
Oral use: flowering tops, buds
240 - 900 mg
Adults
gemmotherapy, dry extract
Crataegus special extract WS 1442 induces an endothelium-dependent, NO-mediated vasorelaxation via eNOS-phosphorylation at serine 1177.
The efficacy and safety of Crataegus extract WS 1442 in patients with heart failure: the SPICE trial.
A novel approach to prevent endothelial hyperpermeability: the Crataegus extract WS® 1442 targets the cAMP/Rap1 pathway.
A randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of a standardised extract of fresh Crataegus berries (Crataegisan) in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure NYHA II.
[Crataegus Special Extract WS 1442. Assessment of objective effectiveness in patients with heart failure (NYHA II)].
[Hawthorn extract WS 1442 in the treatment of patients with heart failure and LVEF of 25%-35%].
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure.
European Union herbal monograph on Crataegus spp., folium cum flore
Congestive Heart Failure ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical studies have shown that hydroalcoholic extracts of hawthorn are effective in improving symptoms associated with stage I and II heart failures, especially by improving exercise tolerance and increasing the left ventricular ejection fraction. Several American clinical studies show that taking specific extracts of hawthorn leaves and flowers at 240-600 mg/day improves exercise tolerance, reduces subjective symptoms, and decreases the risk of death in patients with stage II heart failure. In these studies, the maximal effect was generally observed after 6 to 12 weeks of treatment. Another clinical trial shows that hawthorn extract at 1800 mg/day combined with diuretic therapy improves exercise tolerance and reduces the subjective symptoms of stage III heart failure. In this study, the maximal effect was generally observed after 16 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, a combination of hawthorn and passionflower extracts for 6 weeks allowed improvement in walking distance, exercise tolerance, and cholesterol levels compared to placebo. However, other large-scale clinical trials in patients with stage II or III heart failure taking hawthorn extract at 900 mg per day for 24 months, in combination with conventional treatment, did not significantly reduce hospitalization due to progressive heart failure, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or cardiac death.
Posologie
Oral use: flowering tops, buds
600 - 1800 mg
6 - weeks
Adults
gemmotherapy, dry extract
Synergies
Crataegus special extract WS 1442 induces an endothelium-dependent, NO-mediated vasorelaxation via eNOS-phosphorylation at serine 1177.
The efficacy and safety of Crataegus extract WS 1442 in patients with heart failure: the SPICE trial.
A novel approach to prevent endothelial hyperpermeability: the Crataegus extract WS® 1442 targets the cAMP/Rap1 pathway.
A randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of a standardised extract of fresh Crataegus berries (Crataegisan) in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure NYHA II.
[Crataegus Special Extract WS 1442. Assessment of objective effectiveness in patients with heart failure (NYHA II)].
[Hawthorn extract WS 1442 in the treatment of patients with heart failure and LVEF of 25%-35%].
Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure.
Hypotension ✪✪✪✪✪
Hawthorn is a blood pressure regulator. In cases of hypotension, it helps to regulate upward. In cases of hypertension, it also has a regulatory action. A clinical trial conducted in diabetic and hypertensive patients shows that taking a hawthorn extract at a dosage of 1200 mg per day for 16 weeks significantly reduces diastolic blood pressure compared to a placebo.
Posologie
Oral route: buds, flowering tops
1200 mg
16 - weeks
Adults
gemmotherapy, dry extract
Effect of hawthorn standardized extract on flow mediated dilation in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults: a randomized, controlled cross-over trial.
Effect of hawthorn standardized extract on flow mediated dilation in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults: a randomized, controlled cross-over trial
Practical guide to family gemmotherapy- Dr MAX TETAU
Anxiety ✪✪✪✪✪
Hawthorn is recommended for stressed individuals: rapid pulse, labile hypertension, anxiety with cardiac somatization, sleep disturbances. Preliminary clinical research suggests that hawthorn, combined with magnesium and Escholtzia, may be useful in treating mild to moderate anxiety disorders.
Posologie
Oral route: flowering tops, buds
240 - 900 mg
Adults
gemmotherapy, dry extract
Synergies
European Union herbal monograph on Crataegus spp., folium cum flore
A combination of plant extracts in the treatment of outpatients with adjustment disorder with anxious mood: controlled study versus placebo
Nervousness ✪✪✪✪✪
The effects of hawthorn on nervousness have only been evaluated in a single study, in association with magnesium and escholtzia (Eschscholtzia californica).
Posologie
Oral route: flowering tops, buds
240 - 900 mg
Adults
gemmotherapy, dry extract
Synergies
European Union herbal monograph on Crataegus spp., folium cum flore
Angina ✪✪✪✪✪
In a clinical trial, patients suffering from angina and taking chronic beta-adrenergic receptor inhibitors took a hawthorn extract of 100 mg three times a day for 4 weeks. Patients noted a significant improvement in angina symptoms compared to the placebo group.
Posologie
Oral route: flowering tops, buds
300 mg
Adults
gemmotherapy, dry extract
Cognitive performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Hawthorn acts on the brain through the autonomic nervous system, ensuring better cerebral circulation. Traditionally prescribed in gemmotherapy for cognitive slowdown phenomena. Clinically, a single dose of 25 drops of a medication combining camphor and hawthorn berry extract marketed under the name KARODIN®, proved superior to placebo in improving cognitive performance in elderly patients, measured by visuomotor speed and information processing capacity. This effect is more due to the improvement in blood pressure than a direct effect on the brain.
Posologie
Oral route: buds
50 drops
Adults
gemmotherapy, dry extract
D-camphor-crataegus berry extract combination increases blood pressure and cognitive functioning in the elderly - a randomized, placebo controlled double blind study
Practical guide to family gemmotherapy- Dr MAX TETAU
The effects of repeated administration of camphor-crataegus berry extract combination on blood pressure and on attentional performance - a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study
Sleep disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Hawthorn is traditionally used for the relief of mild mental stress symptoms and to promote sleep. The traditional use of hawthorn reports a sedative, anxiolytic action that decreases aggressiveness as well as body temperature, preparing for sleep.
Posologie
Oral route: flowering tops, buds
240 - 900 mg
Adults
gemmotherapy, dry extract
Properties
Cardiotonic Action
Hawthorn acts on the myocardium by strengthening the force of contraction and increasing blood flow in the coronary arteries, which improves blood circulation to the heart while reducing its oxygen consumption. The cardiotonic properties of hawthorn are attributed to increased membrane permeability for calcium, and the inhibition of phosphodiesterase, resulting in increased coronary blood flow, vasodilation, and positive effects on cardiac contraction. It also helps reduce arrhythmia by decreasing adrenaline stimulation. Hawthorn extracts also improve both endothelial function and its barrier role. This action could be particularly interesting in phenomena such as atherosclerosis or heart failure.
Usages associés
SAFETY AND EFFECTS OF CRATAEGUS EXTRACT WS 1442 AND NORDIC WALKING ON LIPID PROFILE AND ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION: A RANDOMIZED, PARTIALLY BLINDED PILOT STUDY IN OVERWEIGHT VOLUNTEERS
Hawthorn
A novel approach to prevent endothelial hyperpermeability: the Crataegus extract WS® 1442 targets the cAMP/Rap1 pathway
[Crataegus Special Extract WS 1442. Assessment of objective effectiveness in patients with heart failure (NYHA II)].
Sedative
The procyanidins are believed to be the source of hawthorn’s slightly sedative effects. In fact, hawthorn may act on the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for preparing the body for action) by calming it. This use has been known for a long time, as it is traditionally used to lessen nervous excitability and prepare for sleep.
Usages associés
Hypotensive
Hawthorn seems to have a hypotensive activity, according to preliminary research. It appears to cause peripheral vasodilation and induce arterial relaxation. The procyanidins seem to be responsible for this effect.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 12 years: 300 mg - 900 mg (dry extract)
The dosage for an adult depends on the formulation of hawthorn extracts: - Infusion: 1 to 2 g for 150 ml of water, 3 times a day. - Powder: 2 to 5 g per day. - Standardized dry extract (2% flavonoids): 300 mg to 900 mg per day. - Tincture (1:5): 1 ml to 2 ml, 3 times a day. - Gemmotherapy: 50 drops (or according to laboratory instructions).
Interactions
Médicaments
Nitrates: strong interaction
Some evidence shows that hawthorn may lower blood pressure due to its vasodilating effects. Theoretically, using hawthorn with nitrates could cause additional coronary vasodilatory effects.
PDE5 Inhibitor: strong interaction
Hawthorn may inhibit phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) and cause vasodilation. Theoretically, simultaneous use of PDE-5 inhibitors and hawthorn could lead to additional vasodilation and hypotension. PDE-5 inhibitors include sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra).
Precautions
Child up to 12 years: avoid
Use in children and adolescents under 12 years is not recommended.
Nursing woman: avoid
Avoid the use of hawthorn due to lack of reliable and sufficient information.
Contraindications
Pregnant woman: prohibited
In vivo and in vitro evidence of uterine activity has been reported; therefore, hawthorn should not be used during pregnancy unless otherwise advised by a doctor.
