Hawthorn

Major therapeutic interest

• Improving moderate congestive heart failure;
• Improving arrhythmias;
• Reducing palpitations;
• Strengthening the heart and circulatory system;
• Preventing angina pectoris.

Other therapeutic interest / Traditional Use

• Reducing anxiety;
• Decreasing nervousness;
• Improving minor sleep disorders;
• Reducing memory loss by stimulating blood flow to the brain;
• Reducing chronic inflammation such as arthritis and gout;
• Preventing atherosclerosis;
• Normalizing blood pressure: hypo- and/or hypertension.

Cons-indications

• Pregnancy and/or breastfeeding: Safety has not yet been established. 

Important Notice

• Self-medication can have serious consequences. All cardiovascular disorders require the treatment and supervision of a specialist, which cannot be replaced by or supplemented with natural products. 

Drug Interactions

Known human interactions

• Increases the effect of Lanoxin. 

Suspected interactions

• May heighten the effects of antiarrhythmics, antihypertensives, antianginal drugs (medications from the group of calcium channel blockers): Adalat, Isoptin, Cardizem, Norvasc, Tiazac, etc.;
• May increase the coronary vasodilator effect of antianginal drugs: Nitrostat, Nitro-Dur, Nitrolingual pump, Imdur, etc.;
• May heighten the sedative effect of medications used on the central nervous system: Ativan, Lectopam, Oxazepam, Valium, Xanax, barbiturates, etc.;
• May decrease the absorption of iron supplements.

Parts used

Flowering tops

Main constituents

• Flavonoids (vitexin-rhamnoside: main flavonoid), procyanidins, amines (ethylamine, ethanolamine, choline, acetylcholine, etc.), purines (adenosine, adenine, guanine). 

Other names

Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus