Overview

Historically, hawthorn (crataegus oxyacantha) was used by Roman physicians as a heart drug in the first century A.D. The literature from that period focuses on its symbolic use of hawthorn for religious rites and political ceremonies. During the Middle Ages, hawthorn was used for the treatment of "dropsy," or congestive heart failure. Today, extracts of the hawthorn plant have been used extensively in Europe to treat a variety of circulatory disorders, including high blood pressure.

Hawthorn's flowers, leaves and berries are all used in herbal supplements Each is high in flavonoid content, which gives the plant powerful antioxidant properties. Hawthorn contains three groups of compounds which are key to the plant's positive effects on the cardiovascular system. These constituent groups are the triterpenoid saponins, the amines and the flavonoids. By inhibiting free radical formation, hawthorn's antioxidant activity can be beneficial in maintaining healthy heart vessels and promoting overall heart health.

Research Indicates