Juicing For Health - Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus Oxycanthus)
Name
Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus Oxycanthus) also known as English hawthorn, Haw (Black Haw is Viburnum pruifolium L.), May, May blossom, May bush, May tree, Quick-set, Shan-cha, Thorn-apple tree and Whitethorn.
Parts Used
Flowers, Fruit, Leaves.
Information
Hawthorn (Crataegus species) has been used for thousands of years in Asian, European, and Native American cultures to treat heart disease. Hawthorn's heart benefits are thought to stem from its proanthocyanidins and flavonoids content, which also act as antioxidents.
Hawthorn was traditionally used as a cardiac tonic to treat irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain(angina), hardening of the arteries, and congestive heart failure, dilates the coronary blood vessels, restores the heart muscle, decreasing fat deposit levels, increases intracellular vitamin c levels, anemia, cardiovascular and circulatory disorders, high cholesterol and lowered immunity.
Benefits
- Cardiovascular Tonic
- Digestive Aid
- Heart Failure
- Hypertension
Hawthorn has been traditionally used to treat heart problems, including hypertension, angina, elevated cholesterol, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial weakness, and the prevention of arterial disease caused by atherosclerosis.
Hawthorn is thought to have several effects on the heart such as dilation of coronary vessels which improves blood flow, ncrease in functional abilities of the heart, inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and increased energy production and oxygen utilisation in the heart.
Hawthorn was traditionally recommended as a digestive aid.
Hawthorn has been widely studied in people with heart failure (a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to other organs in the body). Studies have shown hawthorn significantly improved heart function, found improved exercise tolerance and improved symptoms of the disease (such as shortness of breath and fatigue).
Another study found hawthorn was as effective as a low dose of the pharmaceutical drug captopril in improving symptoms of heart failure.
Hawthorn exerts a mild blood-pressure lowering effect. These effects are gradual and may take up to two weeks to take effect. The hypotensive effects only cause slight effects in those with normal blood pressure.
Side Effects/Precautions
Hawthorn is generally considered a safe herb and is well tolerated, minor side effects may include headache, sweating, dizziness, nausea, and palpitations (a feeling of a racing heart).
If you are taking prescription or non-prescription medicines, talk to your health care provider before taking herbal supplements. Hawthorn may interact with a number of pharmaceutical heart medication.
Buying Information
Good product sources can be purchased from the links below.
- Hawthorn Berry Tincture | 1ltr BOTTLE
- HealthAid Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus laevigata) Liquid 50ml
- Bio-Health Hawthorn Berry
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