Hawthorne Berries are gathered from the
small tree Crataegus laevigata of the family Rosaceae. Also known as Mayblossom and
Whitehorn, Hawthorne was known to Dioscorides in the first century A.D., but was not
widely used until recent times. The edible berries are often made into marmalade, and
herbal preparations made from the flowers, fruits, and leaves are very prominent in
contemporary European medicine. Currently about three dozen different preparations
containing extracts of Hawthorne are marketed in Germany. Hawthorne is described in most modern herbals as a valuable treatment
for various heart ailments and circulatory disorders, as well acting as a mild astringent
to be used for treating sore throats. Hawthorne is most often used to protect against the
beginning stages of heart disease, for mild heart muscle weakness, for pressure and
tightness of the chest, and for mild arrhythmia. It is also used as a tonic for an aging
heart. Standardized extracts improve myocardial and coronary circulation,
raising the myocardial tolerance for oxygen deficiency. Hawthorne is also used for
hypertension, nervous disorders and insomnia. It may potentiate the action of digitalis,
and does potentiate cardiotonic glycosides. Hawthorne should not be used as a substitute
for medical care when an "organic cause" for one of the conditions listed is
present, so cause should be diagnosed prior to use. Modern researchers have revealed some interesting properties of
hawthorne and confirmed that hawthorne contains compounds which support the heart and
circulatory system. Hawthorne works to dilate the blood vessels, especially the coronary
vessels, reducing peripheral resistance and thus lowering blood pressure and reducing the
tendency to angina attacks. Though hawthorne's action is not immediate, but develops very
slowly, apparently it has a direct effect on the heart itself, especially in cases of
heart damage. Its toxicity is low as well, becoming evident only in large doses. It's
therefore a relatively harmless heart tonic which apparently yields good results in many
conditions where this kind of therapy is required. Hawthorne contains leucoanthocyanins, flavonoids, hyperoside, vitexin
2-rhamnoside, glycosylflavones, amines, catechols, phenolcarboxylic acids, triterpene
acids, sterols, inositol, PABA, saponins and purines. The main activity of hawthorne is
derived from the potent mixture of pigment bioflavonoids, as well as oligomeric
procyanidins (dehydrocatechins) that seem to be particularly active. Some of the flavonoid
glycosides are thought to work in a similar way to digitoxin, having a vasodilating effect
that could be helpful in the treatment of angina. They also produce marked sedative
effects which indicate an action on the central nervous system.