MEDICINAL USES:
Hawthorn
is an excellent heart tonic. The
berries and flowers are high in bioflavinoids, which are beneficial to joints
and connective tissue generally. The
bioflavinoids in Hawthorn in particular seem to particularly beneficial in
toning the tissue around the heart, strengthening the contractile force of the
muscles. At the same time Hawthorn relaxes and dilates the coronary blood
vessels, increasing blood supply to the heart and helping to make it beat more
slowly and strongly, thus lowering blood pressure and helping to reduce the
symptoms of angina and arteriosclerosis. It
acts to normalize heart function, helping the heart utilize calcium more
effectively; increasing activity where it is weak and depressing activity where
it is excessive. It is useful in
treating both tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) and bradycardia (slow heartbeat). Its action as a diuretic is also helpful in treating
congestive heart failure.
Hawthorn
increases the body’s ability to utilize oxygen and helps to lower salt levels.
Because of this ability to inhibit salt retention, it is often used in
herbal weight loss formulas.
Hawthorn
is thought to enhance memory because of its capacity to increase blood supply to
the brain. Such a property is especially useful in congestive heart
failure where poor delivery of oxygen to the brain leads to mental deterioration
and dementia. One of the earlier
uses of Hawthorn was for dropsy – accumulation of edema related to congestive
heart failure. Today Hawthorn is
considered a safe and effective treatment for congestive heart failure, superior
to many of the better-known (but older) pharmaceutical
treatments in that it strengthens the heart while protecting it against arrhythmias.
Digitoxin and other medications used to increase the power of the heart
actually make it susceptible to arrhythmias.
Although the newest pharmaceutical treatments for congestive heart
failure do not have this drawback, Hawthorn, unlike the pharmaceuticals, of
which a large dose can kill you, is relatively safe (an aperitif is made from
the berries).
The
German Commission E approves the European variety (C. monogyna) for the
treatment of decreasing cardiac output. Please
note the lack of approval for other species is due to them not being examined by
the Commission rather than them being rejected.
The Commission notes that it tacitly approves the use of other Hawthorn
species that have been cited in other reputable pharmacopeias.
Although
Hawthorn is subtle in its action, and must be used regularly for a diseased
heart to achieve benefit, it is also highly effective at what it does.
Although Hawthorn’s beneficial effects begin immediately, it takes six
months to achieve the full benefits of treatment. Recommended dosages are rather variable, depending on who is
doing the recommending. Since is
there is no known overdose, the variations in dosage reflect differing opinions
on therapeutic approach rather than disagreement on what amount is efficacious.
The flowers tend to be higher in cardioactive ingredients, though the berries
are higher in flavonoids. The tea
from the flowers is best in a cold infusion. A tincture can be made from the
berries, the flowers or a combination of both, and can be taken in dosages
ranging from 10 drops to 5 ml, 3 times daily.