In this article we will comment on the benefits of hawthorn, explaining the characteristics and properties of this medicinal plant, as well as the possible contraindications associated with its consumption.
- We also recommend: “Rosemary Alcohol: what is it for and what are its benefits?”
Hawthorn: a medicinal bush
Hawthorn can grow as a tree up to 10 meters high , but also as a deciduous shrub. It is usually found on the edges of forests, forming high-density and resistant shrubs, which are also used at an agricultural level to separate crop fields from animals, which avoid crossing them.
Its flowers are white, with five petals, which grow in groups of about 20 flowers. It has thorns, like other varieties of the Rosaceae family, but it represents one of the few edible varieties that we can find in this plant family.
The medicinal tradition of hawthorn dates back to traditional Chinese medicine , whose pharmacopoeia includes a huge variety of plant products with properties that are currently being scientifically proven by various research groups around the world.
These medicinal properties come from the multiple biochemical compounds that plants produce during their natural metabolism, to carry out their different physiological functions. The low concentration of these phytotherapeutic compounds makes them indicated for preventive medicine and that aimed at relieving chronic conditions.
Specifically, hawthorn has traditionally been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, but also cardiac ones . In recent times, its cardioprotective effects have aroused the interest of the scientific community, which has found evidence for its therapeutic use in conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, angina pectoris or arrhythmia.
At the pharmacological level, it is known that it has to do with its multiple compounds, such as flavonoids or terpenes, but its mechanism of action is not yet well characterized.
- It might interest you: “Castor Oil: benefits, uses and how to apply it to the skin”
Benefits of hawthorn
The benefits of hawthorn are several, depending on its method of use. Its main known effects are on cardiovascular health , but it is also used to alleviate digestive system dysfunctions, as a sedative to reduce anxiety, as well as being a slight diuretic or to reduce discomfort caused by menstruation.
Below we discuss in detail some of the medicinal properties of hawthorn. Many of them are synergistic, that is, they complement each other to produce greater effects, especially those that protect the heart and the vascular system:
1. Antioxidant
Hawthorn extracts are loaded with molecules with antioxidant properties . Oxidative stress is the cause of multiple pathologies in the human body, especially those related to inflammatory, rheumatic and cardiovascular processes.
It has been observed that alcoholic extracts of the active phytocomponents of hawthorn decrease the oxidative effects of the body’s metabolism, which is of special relevance for the prevention of heart disease, one of the most affected by oxidative action.
2. Strengthens the heartbeat
Also known as the positive inotropic effect, hawthorn has the special property of reinforcing the heartbeat .
Hawthorn extracts improve the contractile activity of the muscles responsible for closing the mitral valve of the left ventricle, reducing the amount of blood that flows in the opposite direction within the atrioventricular system.
3. Lowers blood pressure
Proanthocyanidins , molecules present in hawthorn extract, are capable of inducing relaxation of blood vessels. This effect is especially important in those vessels far from the heart, which tend to suffer more damage in the presence of high blood pressure, due to their more delicate structure.
4. Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is a natural mechanism of our body, which is used mainly for biological defense reasons. When inflammation becomes chronic it can lead to many health problems, including deterioration of cardiovascular health that leads to chronic heart failure.
The anti-inflammatory effects of hawthorn are mainly derived from its antioxidant effects, which decrease the levels of molecules such as interleukins or the TNF-alpha factor, responsible for the inflammatory response.
5. Antiarrhythmic
Arrhythmias, especially those of a nervous type, can be reduced by taking hawthorn extracts. This is mainly due to its sedative effects on the sympathetic nervous system , which is responsible for “accelerating” our body.
Hawthorn extract decreases the excitability of cardiac tissue, increasing the rest time -known as the refractory period- that our heart experiences between beats. This helps slow down the heartbeat, lowering the incidence of arrhythmias.
6. Lowers cholesterol
Hawthorn has antilipidemic and anticholesterolemic action , which means that it reduces the levels of low-density lipids circulating in the blood.
This effect of hawthorn is due to the fact that it promotes the greater expression of LDL receptors -low-density lipids-, which remove these lipids from the blood. It also affects the metabolism of cholesterol, promoting its transformation into bile acids and reducing the body’s own production of cholesterol.
7. Prevents platelet aggregation
The antiplatelet action of hawthorn is due to the inhibition of phosphodiesterase-3, which can be found in platelet thrombi.
Unfortunately, these effects are relatively weak, although according to the latest research, they do not appear to interact with other antiplatelet agents, which could mean their use as a supplement to medication already in use.
8. Improves the recovery of the heart after a heart attack
After acute cardiac ischemia , our heart is damaged by the infiltration of products derived from our immune system, such as neutrophil elastase or the generation of high amounts of oxidizing agents.
Patients who take hawthorn after a heart attack see a reduction in the area of the heart affected after the heart attack , compared to those who do not take it. This therapeutic effect is one that has aroused the most interest in the medical community, since a reduction in the consequences of infarction can lengthen the life of ischemic patients.
9. Relaxes the sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system is what is responsible for placing us in a state of activation or alert. Hawthorn extracts are traditionally used to treat anxiety and anxious arrhythmia, but it also helps us reduce stress and even fight insomnia .
10. Helps against certain infections
Hawthorn has bacteriostatic properties – it prevents the reproduction of bacteria – and bactericidal – it kills bacteria -. These properties are marked on gram positive bacteria, whose cell wall morphology allows some of the hawthorn compounds to act on them.
Gram-positive bacteria include some, such as Staphylococcus aureus , which are highly relevant in respiratory and skin infections of varying severity. Fortunately, hawthorn is also an ally against these infections.
Side effects and contraindications of hawthorn
Hawthorn does not usually cause side effects in healthy people, as long as it is taken in the recommended doses for each use for no more than 16 weeks.
Of course, some people have a sensitivity to hawthorn that can lead to nausea, gastric problems, fatigue, insomnia and palpitations, although these side effects are rare.
The multiple effects on cardiovascular health of hawthorn make its intake dangerous for those patients who take medications to improve heart health , so these people should consult their doctor before consuming this medicinal plant.
It is also not recommended for those who have to undergo an operation . Hawthorn hampers blood coagulation, which is a great risk when undergoing an operation, since it increases the chances of bleeding. We should not take hawthorn at least two weeks before surgery.
Bibliographic references
- Pallardo Fernandez, I. (2016). Hawthorn, at the heart of health. Medicine and Research, 4(1), 35-41. doi:10.1016/j.mei.2016.01.002.
- Wang, J., Xiong, X., & Feng, B. (2013). Effect ofCrataegusUsage in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: An Evidence-Based Approach. Evidence-Based Complementary And Alternative Medicine, 2013, 1-16. doi:10.1155/2013/149363.
- Rigelsky, J., & Sweet, B. (2002). Hawthorn: Pharmacology and therapeutic uses. American Journal Of Health-System Pharmacy, 59(5), 417-422. doi:10.1093/ajhp/59.5.417.
- Shortle, E., O’Grady, M., Gilroy, D., Furey, A., Quinn, N., & Kerry, J. (2014). Influence of extraction technique on the anti-oxidative potential of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) extracts in bovine muscle homogenates. Meat Science, 98(4), 828-834. doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.07.001.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.