by Georgia Stewart

Created on: August 11, 2009   Last Updated: August 12, 2009

Of the health conditions that we encounter one of the most common is problems of the heart. There are medical treatments via prescription drugs, such as Chloestyramine to lower the cholesterol, Aspirin, Warfarin, and Plavix to thin the blood, digitalis preparations for rate control, and Vasodilators such as Nitroglycerine which may well help some people, but they are also sometimes known to cause side effects and complications.

For instance, Warfarin is a rat poison so could possibly cause harm to humans in some circumstances. It might be preferable to use natural alternatives, which rarely cause side effects; one of which is Hawthorn.

This useful herb is a common thorny bush that grows in wooded areas. It blossoms in May and produces clusters of bright red berries. The plant is thought to be sacred and it is believed by some to have been part of the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before his crucifixion.

Hawthorn or White thorn is a heart restorative that increases blood flow through the heart and strengthens the heart muscle without increasing the beat or raising the pressure, so it is generally safe. Graham Green, a Herbalist, claims that it is a heart tonic of the first order which maintains the heart in a healthy condition.

It enhances the activity and nutrition of the heart muscles at a cellular level. It can be used for most heart conditions because it will renew this most active and hard-working organ, no matter how it is affected, and will be useful in cases of degenerative, age-related changes in the entire cardiovascular system.

It lowers blood pressure and enhances the strength of the heart's contractions, while protecting the heart from irregular beats. It helps with arteriosclerosis, angina, heart failure and reduces the stickiness of blood platelets so can help to prevent thrombosis (abnormal blood-clot formation). It can possibly also inhibit the growth of certain cancers, especially of the lung, skin and oesophagus.

Hawthorn increases exercise tolerance and it is used by sports people to sustain the heart when it is pushed to the limits during physical activity. It is also useful in cases of mental tension, because it will calm and soothe the nervous system and in cases of long term dizziness. It increases blood flow to both the heart and the brain.

The herb's actions are coronary vasodilator, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, tonic, anti-hypertensive, adaptogen, diuretic, sedative to nervous system, cholesterol,

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