We prefer this brand because...

Hawthorn is a classic cardiovascular herb that has proven to be helpful in supporting heart health in many ways.  It supports coronary blood flow, healthy heart tissue and myocardial function and may also help treat pectoris, ischemia, and hardening of the arteries.  It has been used as a remedy for high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and angina for hundreds of years.

Made by a highly recommended professional brand with over 30 years of providing quality supplements, this hawthorn has a high dose of 500 mg per capsule.  It’s free of many common allergens such as gluten and soy as well as fillers, stearates, and preservatives.

About this product

Hawthorn is a flowering shrub of the rose family; its berries, leaves and flowers have been widely used for heart disease since the first century. It is a classic heart tonic and multiple studies have shown hawthorn to improve cardiac function. It improves blood supply to the heart muscle; helps the heart muscle pump more efficiently, giving a positive inotropic effect and increased ejection fraction; and it helps the heart muscle absorb and use the nutrients that fuel it more effectively. Scientific research conducted in 2008 revealed that hawthorn is also excellent at decreasing the chronic inflammation that is linked to heart disease. Hawthorn is helpful for many if not all types of serious heart conditions including heart failure, heart disease, angina, high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

A 2016 study published in the journal Current Medicinal Chemistry states that hawthorn’s powerful heart benefits come from its high polyphenolic content. Hawthorn is rich in polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals that can harm your body when they are at high levels.  There are also several bioactive compounds which provide cardiovascular benefits.  Flavonoids and proanthocyanidins reduce oxidate stress and inflammation, helping to protect the cardiovascular system.  Triterpene acids are compounds that relaxes the blood vessels, lowering blood pressure an improving circulation by reducing vascular resistance.  Oligomeric procyanidins make blood vessels more elastic, strengthening them and making them less prone to damage.

Hawthorn berries, flowers, and leaves are used by many herbal practitioners to reduce blood pressure. Hawthorn may work in several ways: by improving blood vessels’ elasticity in response to blood flow, by calming the sympathetic nervous system action that can increase tension in blood vessels, or by supporting the brain in maintaining healthy blood.  Hawthorn acts as a vasodilator, helping the release of nitric oxide which promotes vasodilation, relaxing constricted blood vessels which can lower blood pressure which is beneficial for those with hypertension and crucial for maintaining vascular health as it helps to lower blood pressure. In human studies, hawthorn reduces diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo and with long time use, Hawthorn can help strengthen the heart muscle by providing a better supply of blood and oxygen.

In one study, 78 patients with Class II heart failure received 200 mg of hawthorn three times per day and as a result, they had a reduction in symptoms, increased working heart capacity, and a decrease in systolic blood pressure.  A German study showed that hawthorn worked almost as well as a prescription drug for heart failure and that there were fewer side effects with hawthorn.  And yet another study showed that after two years of taking hawthorn, either alone or as an add-on to conventional treatment, decreased the three main symptoms of heart failure:  fatigue, stress dyspnea, and palpitations.

Angina is chest pain caused by decreased blood flow to the heart; it can be a symptom of coronary heart disease.  Hawthorn has shown to be an effective remedy for angina; hawthorn’s bioflavonoids help to dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart, and guards against blood vessel damage which can help reduce symptoms of angina.

Healthy cholesterol levels are crucial for maintaining heart health and preventing cardiovascular disease. Studies revealed that hawthorn can help lower overall cholesterol levels, decreasing LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides.

Hawthorn can be beneficial for many things beyond heart health. Because hawthorn has anti-inflammatory properties, it can reduce inflammation and improve lung function for people with asthma or bronchitis.  Hawthorn may have a calming effect on the nervous system and can help to reduce anxiety. Signs of again may be reduced due to the antioxidants in hawthorn that protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.  Hawthorn can improve digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes, alleviating issues like bloating and indigestion; it can help regulate metabolism by promoting healthy digestion which can support weight loss.

Contents

1 capsule provides:

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) extract (flower and leaf) (standardized to contain 2% vitexins) 500 mg

Other Ingredients:  vegetarian capsule (cellulose, water), hypoallergenic plant fiber (cellulose)

This product does not contain artificial colors or sweeteners, unnecessary binder, fillers or preservatives, magnesium stearate, coatings or shellacs, trans fat or hydrogenated oils, ingredients of animal origin, gluten, wheat, soy, dairy eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, or GMOs.

Cautions

Always take natural remedies under the supervision of your health care provider. Do not use hawthorn you take medications for heart conditions such as digoxin and nitrates or medications for male sexual dysfunction without consulting your health care professional as it could possibly cause low blood pressure. Hawthorn has anticoagulant properties, which can increase the risk of bleeding, especially if taking medications for blood thinning such as warfarin.  It is recommended to stop using hawthorn at least 2 weeks before any scheduled surgery to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.

Do not use hawthorn during pregnancy or lactation unless under the guidance of your physician as there is insufficient data about safe use during pregnancy.