Hawthorn (crataegus species)

Table of Contents

Other names

hawthorn

Synopsis

Hawthorn refers to the berries, leaves, and flowers of trees and shrubs in the Crataegus genus, particularly Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus laevigata, and Crataegus oxyacantha. Native to Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, hawthorn has long been used in traditional medicine as a cardiotonic herb, renowned for supporting heart and circulatory health. It contains a range of bioactive compounds including flavonoids (rutin, quercetin), oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), vitexin, and phenolic acids, which contribute to its antioxidant, vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects.

Hawthorn is best known for its ability to strengthen and regulate the heart, making it useful in conditions such as mild congestive heart failure, hypertension, angina, arrhythmia, and palpitations due to anxiety. It works by improving coronary blood flow, enhancing myocardial oxygen utilization, and increasing the strength and efficiency of heart contractions without overexertion. It also helps reduce arterial stiffness and support capillary integrity, contributing to improved blood pressure and circulation.

Common preparations include tinctures, teas, standardized extracts, and capsules, often taken over extended periods for chronic cardiovascular support.

Historical Use
Hawthorn has been used in European folk medicine for over a thousand years, with some records tracing its use back to the Middle Ages. Traditionally, it was used to treat “dropsy” (edema), irregular heartbeat, and weakness of the heart, especially in elderly individuals. Herbalists referred to it as a “heart remedy par excellence,” and it became a core remedy in the Western herbal tradition for strengthening the heart both physically and emotionally.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a related species (Crataegus pinnatifida) is used under the name Shan Zha, primarily for digestive issues such as food stagnation, poor appetite, and post-meal bloating, particularly following consumption of rich or fatty foods. However, modern Chinese medicine also recognizes its cardiovascular benefits.

During the 19th century, hawthorn gained popularity among Eclectic physicians in the United States for cardiac insufficiency, valvular heart disease, and nervous heart conditions. By the 20th century, scientific interest in its flavonoid content helped establish its reputation in phytomedicine as a heart-protective herb.

Today, hawthorn remains one of the most respected herbal remedies for cardiovascular wellness, used in long-term heart support, recovery from cardiac stress, and in managing mild hypertension and circulatory weakness, bridging traditional use with strong pharmacological backing.

Uses: Health Conditions

Arrhythmia (Traditional)
Chest Pain (Traditional)
Cholesterol (high) (Traditional)
Circulation (poor) (Traditional)
Cold Hands and Feet (Traditional)
Congestive Heart Failure (Traditional)
Edema (Traditional)
Heart (weakness) (Traditional)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations (Traditional)
Heart Valves (Traditional)
Hypertension (Traditional)
Lungs (fluid in) (Traditional)
Mitral Valve (Traditional)

Body Systems

Adrenal Glands (Traditional)
Arteries (Traditional)
Arteries (Traditional)
Blood (Traditional)
Capillaries (Traditional)
Circulatory System (Traditional)
Heart (Traditional)