Herb of the month: Crataegus Monogyna
Crataegus Monogyna (Hawthorn) is a flowering shrub or tree from the rose family of plants. It is native to the northern temperate zones of Europe, North America and Asia. The fruit and leaves of the hawthorn plant have been used as a traditional herbal remedy for heart, digestive and kidney problems for thousands of years.
Historical uses: Early use of Hawthorn in Europe dates back to ancient Greek physician Dioscorides and Swiss physician and alchemist Paracelsus, who praised it for its heart strengthening properties. Hawthorn’s use has also been documented traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for improving blood circulation and stimulating digestion.
Fun Fact: The name ‘hawthorn’ comes from the word ‘hedgethorn’ as the small evergreen tree was commonly grown throughout much of Europe as a hedge and formed a living fence.
Part Used:
- Fruit (Berries)
- Dry leaves
Major Chemical Constituents:
Hawthorn contains a variety of flavonoids which are phytochemical compounds found in abundance in the plant kingdom. Flavonoids have been observed in clinical research to demonstrate a range of therapeutic benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and blood pressure lowering effects in healthy individuals. Key active constituents found in hawthorn include oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs), glycosides (vitexin, hyperoside, isovitexin, quercetin), catechins and epicatechins.
Therapeutic Benefits:
- Cardio tonic: Maintain/support cardiovascular system health and muscle function
- Vasodilator: Enhances cardiac blood flow and circulation
- Antioxidant: Maintenance of healthy arterial and vascular health by reducing free radical damage to cells.
Clinical Uses:
Clinical trials on Hawthorn as a standardised extract has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving heart function and quality of life in patients with mild heart failure (New York Heart Association classes I to III), (Holubarsch et al., 2018). A 2014 study conducted by Härtel et al, showed Hawthorn extract significantly improved exercise tolerance in individuals diagnosed with mild heart failure.
A review of in-vitro and animal studies support beneficial effects of Hawthorn in reducing arrythmia (irregular heartbeat), protection of the heart from damage caused by narrowing of blood vessels (ischemic damage) and increased production of nitric oxide which has the effect of dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow (Holubarsch et al., 2018; Orhan, 2018). The chemical constituents of Hawthorn have also been observed to have beneficial effects on blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. (Orhan, 2018).
Contraindications:
- Caution in patients taking antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs due to additive effects
- Caution in blood pressure medication and vasodilators due to additive effects
- Avoid use during pregnancy and lactation
- Discontinue use 7 days prior to surgery
- If patient symptoms persist, seek additional professional advice.
Product Recommendations:
- Heart 300 + Hawthorn: ANC’s new heart health formula contains three key ingredients (CoQ10, black pepper and hawthorn) to support cardiovascular system health, energy production, and enhanced absorption.
References
Bone, K 2007, The Ultimate Herbal Compendium, Phtyotherapy Press, Australia
Bone, K, Mills, S 2013, Ed 2, Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy, Churchill Livingstone, USA
Braun, L, Cohen, M 2015, Ed 4, Herbs & Natural Supplements an Evidence Based Guide, Churchill Livingstone, China
Härtel S, Kutzner C, Westphal E, et al. Effects of endurance exercise training and Crataegus extract WS® 1442 in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction—a randomized controlled trial. Sports. 2014;2(3):59–75. doi: 10.3390/sports2030059
Holubarsch, C., Colucci, W. S., & Eha, J. (2018). Benefit-Risk Assessment of Crataegus Extract WS 1442: An Evidence-Based Review. American journal of cardiovascular drugs : drugs, devices, and other interventions, 18(1), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40256-017-0249-9
Orhan I. E. (2018). Phytochemical and Pharmacological Activity Profile of Crataegus oxyacantha L. (Hawthorn) - A Cardiotonic Herb. Current medicinal chemistry, 25(37), 4854–4865. https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867323666160919095519
