Hawthorn flowers and berries have been used primarily as heart and circulatory tonics and mild diuretics for heart disorders including congestive heart failure, angina, and hypertension. The pharmacology of hawthorn centres on its flavonoid components, the proanthocyanidins (OPCs).

Hawthorn and Cardiovascular health.

hawthorn berries have been traditionally used to treat heart problems, including hypertension, angina, elevated cholesterol, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial weakness, and the prevention of arterial disease caused by atherosclerosis. The beneficial effects of hawthorn are due to several factors including:

1. 1)  Improvement of blood supply due to dilation of coronary vessels (relaxes smooth muscle).

2. 2)  Increase in functional abilities of the heart – increased force of contraction, and elimination of rhythm disturbances. Flavonoid components in hawthorn have been shown to inhibit cAMP phosphodiesterase – thus increasing available cAMP to the heart tissue.

3. 3)  Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) – ACE inhibiting compounds reduce constriction of blood vessels. The proanthocyanidins appear to exert this effect.

4. 4)  Increased energy production and oxygen utilisation in the heart

Hawthorn Berry for Hypertension 

hawthorn exerts a mild blood-pressure lowering effect. These effects are gradual and may take up to two weeks to take effect. The hypotensive effects only cause slight effects in those with normal blood pressure.

Hawthorn Berry for Hypotension 

the cardiotonic properties of hawthorn have been shown to raise low blood pressure.

Congestive Heart Failure – hawthorn has traditionally been used alongside other herbs such as digitalis, however evidence suggests that is most effective in the early stages of CHF.
Hawthorn potentiates the action of cardiac glycosides.

Hawthorn Berry for Atherosclerosis 

hawthorn has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the size of existing atherosclerotic plaques.

• COLLAGEN STABILISING – the flavonoids in hawthorn are known to have protective effects on collagen and thus help support tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. The various flavonoids in hawthorn help prevent collagen destruction caused by free-radical induced inflammatory processes e.g. arthritis, periodontal disease.

• ANTIOXIDANT – the OPCs in hawthorn increase and stabilise intracellular vitamin C levels by protecting it from destruction or oxidation. Potent protective antioxidant components found in hawthorn include; quercetin, procyanidin B-2, Epicatechin, catechin, and rutin.