by Judith C Evans

Created on: September 23, 2009   Last Updated: January 16, 2010

Herbalists value hawthorn (Crataegus) as a heart and cardiovascular tonic.  A member of the rose (Rosaceae) family, this white or pink-flowered shrub or tree offers aid for symptoms ranging from palpitations to insomnia.  Other common names for hawthorn include whitethorn and mayblossom.  Its small, fragrant flowers grow in clusters, and its leaves are dark and narrow, shiny on top, and formed into three irregular lobes. The small red hawthorn berries possess antispasmodic, astringent, cardiac, diuretic, sedative, and vasodilator properties.  Remedies are also prepared from its flowers. Its habitat extends from Europe to North Africa, Western Asia, and the United States; it is especially popular as a hedge in England. 

Hawthorn berry tincture, whether made from dried or fresh berries, strengthens and tonifies the heart and blood vessels. In fact, hawthorn’s genus name reflects the strength of its wood: the word “Crataegus” is derived from the Greek “kratos”, meaning “hard.”  The remedy acts slowly but thoroughly to rebuild heart muscle and blood vessels, and relieve water buildup around the heart.  The strengthened heart is better able to cope with decreased blood flow caused by artery blockage.  Individuals suffering from vascular heart disease, congestive heart failure, inflammation of the heart muscle, and arteriosclerosis can benefit from hawthorn.  It also relieves cardiac arrhythmia and palpitations.     

Hawthorn tincture, as a vasodilator, widens the diameter of coronary arteries and peripheral blood vessels.  It blocks ACE (angiotension converting enzyme), an enzyme in the blood vessel lining, which contributes to blood vessel constriction.  Intermittent claudication, which occurs when plaque causes narrowing of the arteries in the leg, responds to hawthorn treatment as well.  These properties promote easier blood flow, reducing stress on the heart and lowering blood pressure.  Hawthorn tincture is less expensive than prescription ACE inhibitors, and does not cause the side effects (such as hacking cough and weakness) associated with these medications.    

The use of hawthorn as a heart remedy should be monitored by your physician.  Although the herb is mild and slow-acting, individuals with heart disease should consult their cardiologist before use.  Your doctor can monitor any potential

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