Hawthorn Herb-Medicinal uses of berry, flowers, fruit & leaf

Common name: The Hawthorn plant, popularly known as haw, mayblossom, or mayflower is a shrub that is thorny in nature and grows up to five feet tall.

Occurrence: Usually found near hillsides and in sunny wooded regions, Hawthorn trees are commonly observed in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The Hawthorn herb bears small berries, also referred to as haws that sprout in the month of May after the flowers of the Hawthorn plant have bloomed. The Hawthorn berries are usually shiny red when ripe and grow in varied shapes and sizes. This spiky bush or tree is also known as a hedge plant. The leaves of the Hawthorn herb are dark green and have lustrous, bluish-green bases, with asymmetrical tooth margins.

Parts used: The parts of the Hawthorne tree used for medicinal preparations are the flowers and fruit.

Medicinal uses Hawthorn Herb:

European herbalists in the 17th century recommended the Hawthorn berry, particularly in treating congestive heart failure. Recent research confirms this age-old practice as scientific evidence proves that Hawthorn can be used to treat congestive heart failure. In addition, the extract from the Hawthorne tree can also be used to treat a variety of cardiovascular disorders including an irregular heartbeat.

Hawthorne berries possess a number of proanthocyanidins and flavonoids that are useful in increasing the heart's capability in pumping blood and oxygen to the different parts of the body. These compounds found in the extracts of the Hawthorn flowers or berries work by stimulating the coronary blood vessels and fortifying the muscles of the heart. Moreover, the phytochemicals in the Hawthorn extract or its medicinal preparations act as antioxidants, and help in avoiding oxidation thus preventing damage to the blood vessels and other tissues.

The Hawthorn herb is also useful in treating various disorders such as angina, arteriosclerosis, and high blood pressure. It has been reported that extract from the Hawthorn leaf works best in the early stages of heart disease than most contemporary drugs. Some medical studies have revealed that Hawthorn also possesses mild astringent effects and due to this property is likely to provide beneficial results against seborrhea, acne, and other such inflammatory skin diseases.

Administered as: Products containing Hawthorn preparations are usually standardized and contain either 3 to 25 mg flavonoids or 35 to 150 mg oligomeric procyanidins. In Hawthorne supplementations, manufacturers usually follow the recommendations of their medical governing body. Although most medical experts are of the opinion that Hawthorn as a medicinal herb is relatively safe, it is important to strictly follow the recommended dosage.