Hawthorn: Effective Herbal Remedy for Heart Failure

Hawthorn (Crataegus Oxyacantha) has been the subject of several clinical research studies, showing potential benefits for individuals suffering from heart failure. Heart failure, also referred to as congestive or chronic heart failure, is a condition where the heart muscle cannot pump out blood effectively or efficiently. Left untreated, heart failure can worsen over time, leading to more severe symptoms and the need for emergency medical treatment.

Hawthorne research findings

One study, 'Health Effects of Hawthorn', published in the journal American Family Physician (February 15, 2010), states

“The active components of this slow-acting cardiotonic agent are thought to be flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins. The most studied hawthorn extracts are WS 1442 and LI 132. Reviews of placebo-controlled trials have reported both subjective and objective improvement in patients with mild forms of heart failure (New York Heart Association classes I through III). Other studies of hawthorn in patients with heart failure have revealed improvement in clinical symptoms, pressure-heart rate product, left ventricular ejection fraction, and patients' subjective sense of well-being. However, there is no evidence of a notable reduction in mortality or sudden death.”¹

In another study, 'Hawthorn: Pharmacology and Therapeutic Uses', published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (March 1, 2002),

“Today, hawthorn is used primarily for various cardiovascular conditions. The cardiovascular effects are believed to be the result of positive inotropic activity, ability to increase the integrity of the blood vessel wall and improve coronary blood flow, and positive effects on oxygen utilization. Flavonoids are postulated to account for these effects. Hawthorn has shown promise in the treatment of New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II congestive heart failure (CHF) in both uncontrolled and controlled clinical trials. There are also suggestions of a beneficial effect on blood lipids. Trials to establish an antiarrhythmic effect in humans have not been conducted.”²

Differences in Hawthorn Extracts

Before moving on, I'd like to clarify the differences between the WS 1442 and LI 132 Hawthorn extracts, as they were used in the studies I've quoted. Each is a specific, standardized Hawthorn extract. The WS 1442 extract contains 18.75% oligomeric procyanidins, while the LI 132 contains 2.25% flavonoids. There are many other standardized Hawthorn extracts out there, but these two are the most studied.

Drug Interactions with Hawthorn

Hawthorn has been known to interact with prescription medications, especially those used to treat hypertension, heart disorders, and erectile dysfunction. However, one study, "Interaction Study between Digoxin and a Preparation of Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha)," published in The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (June 2003), concluded:

"Following 3 weeks of concomitant therapy, hawthorn did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetic parameters for digoxin. This suggests that both hawthorn and digoxin, in the doses and dosage form studied, may be coadministered safely." ³

Other heart conditions helped by Hawthorn

• Hypertension
• Hyperlipidemia
• Arrhythmia

Hypertension

The same qualities that make Hawthorn effective for treating congestive heart failure also make it effective for treating hypertension (aka high blood pressure).

And it's not just herbalists who recommend Hawthorn for lowering elevated blood pressure, a cardiologist named Stephen Sinatra, MD does as well. Dr. Sinatra has recommended 500 mg of Hawthorn 2 to 3 times daily to help maintain healthy blood pressure.⁴

Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia is the scientific way of saying that one's blood contains too many lipids (fat). High lipid levels speed up atherosclerosis (also known as ‘hardening of the arteries’), which naturally occurs very slowly in healthy individuals as they grow old.

Hawthorn has demonstrated great promise in improving blood lipid levels, which can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis. Modern research studies are corroborating ancient knowledge and researchers now better understand why Hawthorn is able to accomplish its health improving effects. According to ‘Roles and Mechanisms of Hawthorn and Its Extracts on Atherosclerosis: A Review’, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology,

“We summarize the four principal mechanisms, including blood lipid-lowering, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and vascular endothelial protection, thus providing a theoretical basis for further utilization of hawthorn.”⁵

Arrhythmia

Though clinical studies on Hawthorn and arrhythmia are limited, there is anecdotal evidence that Hawthorn can help strengthen and stabilize the heart against irregular heartbeat patterns.

Historical Use of Hawthorn

Hawthorn, a genus comprising approximately 300 species that are native to many temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, has been used medicinally since ancient times by numerous cultures around the world.

The first-century physician, botanist, and apothecary, Pedanius Dioscorides, was among the first (if not the first) to document Hawthorn's health benefits, particularly its effect on the heart. It has been used for congestive heart failure since the Middle Ages (in Europe), when the condition was known as dropsy.

I have little doubt that the use of hawthorn was a welcome reprieve from bloodletting, which was a common “cure” for dropsy in those days.

Outside of Europe, the second best documentation of its use in ancient times comes from China.

“In China, the use of hawthorn for the treatment of [cardiovascular disease] dates to 659 AD. In addition, according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, it acts on tonifying the spleen to promote digestion and activate blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis.”⁵

In the Americas, several Indigenous tribes – including Ojibwa, Navajo, and Cherokee, were also using the plant to treat heart ailments, improve circulation, and overall well-being.

Our knowledge of Hawthorn’s historical use in North America is derived from various ethnobotanical studies and historical records of traditional Native American medicine practices.⁶

Conclusion

Scientific evidence suggests that Hawthorn is effective for heart failure, though more research is needed to evaluate its efficacy in treating additional cardiovascular conditions. Hopefully, more research will be conducted on Hawthorn to prove or disprove its medicinal prowess in treating a number of other ailments.

We can only hope that the current scientific evidence, regarding congestive heart failure, will convince more mainstream physicians to support their patients’ use of Hawthorn, in lieu of (or in addition to) pharmaceutical drugs.

If you have any anecdotes about your own use of Hawthorn, please, contact us and share your experience.