Amber Technology's Reference Center

Hawthorne

http://www.journaloflongevity.com/Archives/124/healthy-heart.html

Supplement Your Heart

Since being diagnosed as cancer-free, Anna has continued her quest for the latest nutritional supplements. She still relies on many natural compounds to augment different aspects of her health. Anna explains, “I’ve always kept my health as a top priority. Because without it, you ain’t got nothing.” Specifically, Anna—like many seniors—employs a unique strategy to enhance her cardiovascular health. Indeed, many doctors recommend the use of dietary supplements today as part of a heart-healthy program. Recent studies seem to confirm the effectiveness of years of folk medicine’s advice. In particular, researchers are becoming increasingly impressed by news regarding four specific “heart tonic” herbs that can enhance
cardiovascular health.

Hawthorn Benefits Cardiac Function

Perhaps the most versatile of these herbs is hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha). In his signature guidebook Holistic Herbal, David Hoffman writes that hawthorn can be considered one of the best tonics for the heart, for it assists in a wide range of challenges ranging from heart weakness to disturbing rhythmic changes to blood pressure concerns (Castleman 1991). In his book The Healing Power of Herbs (Prima Publishing), researcher Michael Murray (1995) concurs, declaring that hawthorn supports healthy blood circulation, maintains healthy contractions of the heart muscle, and counters harmful enzymes. More recently, a 2004 study published in the journal Life Sciences reports that hawthorn extract exerted a positive effect on cardiac function in study participants (Veveris 2004). Likewise, a study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that the use of hawthorn after serious heart episodes was associated with significant improvement (Pittler 2003).

• Al-Sereiti, M.R. et al. (1999). “Pharmacology of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Linn.) and its therapeutic potentials.” Indian Journal of Experimental Biology; 37(2): 124–30.
• Castleman, M. (1991). The Healing Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.
• Murray, M.T. (1995). The Healing Power of Herbs. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing.
• Pittler, M.H. (2003). “Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure: Meta-analysis of randomized trials.” American Journal of Medicine; 114(8): 665–74.
• Rahman, K. (2003). “Garlic and aging: New insights into an old remedy.” Ageing Research Reviews; 2(1): 39–56.
• Somova, L.I. et al. (2004). “Cardiotonic and antidysrhythmic effects of oleanolic and ursolic acids, methyl maslinate, and uvaol.” Phytomedicine; 11(2–3): 121–9.
• Veveris, M. et al. (2004). “Crataegus special extract WS 1442 improves cardiac function and reduces infarct size in a rat model of prolonged coronary ischemia and reperfusion.” Life Sciences; 74(15): 1,945–55.
• Weiss, R.F. et al. (1988). Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd.
  

http://www.seniornet.org/php/default.php?ClassOrgID=5337&PageID=5572&Print=1

Hawthorne. Perhaps some of the Pilgrims had dropsy. Maybe that’s why they named their ship, the Mayflower, an alternate name for the hawthorn shrub (Crataegus oxycantha), an age-old herbal remedy for heart failure.“Hawthorn is very useful in CHF,” Dr. Pizzorno says, “especially in the early stages,” thanks to compounds its leaves and flowers contain (flavonoids) that improve the heart’s pumping ability and blood flow through the circulatory system.[42] Varro Tyler, Ph.D., former dean of the School of Pharmacy at Purdue University, calls this herb“valuable...a relatively harmless heart tonic that...yields good results.”

Recently, German researchers gave 300 mg of hawthorn extract (standardized to contain 2.2 percent flavonoids) to 3,664 elderly CHF sufferers. Their symptoms decreased steadily for eight weeks, with edema subsiding by 50 percent.[43]

In another German study, researchers gave either a daily placebo or a standardized hawthorn extract (160 mg) to 136 people with mild-to-moderate CHF. Eight weeks later, symptoms in the placebo group had worsened. But those taking hawthorn showed statistically significant improvement--less shortness of breath and less ankle swelling. [44]

In another study, 78 people with mild-to-moderate CHF were given either a placebo or hawthorn (daily 600 mg of a standardized extract). After eight weeks, the hawthorn group showed five times the improvement in ability to ride a stationary cycle, and a significant decrease in blood pressure.[45]

Hawthorn causes minimal side effects, and does not interfere with the action of mainstream CHF medication, Dr. Brown notes. Naturopaths typically recommend 160 to 900 mg a day of a standardized hawthorn extract for four to eight weeks.[46]

Hahbrecht R. et al. "Effects of Exercise Training on Left Ventricular Runction and Perppheral Resistance in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure," J. Am. Med. Assoc. (2000) 283:3095.

• [38] Modern Med. 2-97: Kiilavouri, K et al. "Effect of Physical Tarning on Exercise Capacity...in CHF," Chest (1996) 110:985.
• [39] "Nonpharmacologic Therapy Improves Function and Emotional Satus in CHF," Comp. Med. for Phys. abstarct of Kostis, JB et al. "Nonpharmacologic Therapy Improves Function and Emotional Satus in CHF,"Chest (1994) 106:996.
• [40] Harlan Krumholz, MD (203) 785-4128. Also: "Emotional Support Important for Elderly Women with Heart Failure," Med. Trib. 4-2-98.
• [41] Moser, D. et al. "Voluntary Control of Vascular Tone by Using Skin-Temperature Biofeedback-Relaxation in Patients with Advance Heart Failure," Alternative Therapies, 1-97, p. 51.
• [42] Brown, D. et al. "Early-Stage CHF," Condition-Specific Monograph from Nat. Product Research Consultants, Seattle, 1997. p. 7-8.
• [43] Schmidt, U. et al. "High-Dose Crategeus Therapy in Patients Suffering CHF, NYHA Class 1 and II," Z. Phytotherapie (1998) 19:22
• [44] .Weikl, A. et al. "Crataegus Special Extract WS 14442: Objective Proof of Efficacy in Patients with Cardiac Insufficiency (NYHA II)," Fortschr Med. (1996) 114:291.
• [45] Pizzorno, J and M. Murray. Textbook of Nat. Med. VI:CHF, p. 3-4.
• [46] Brown, D. et al. "Early-Stage CHF," Condition-Specific Monograph from Nat. Product Research Consultants, Seattle, 1997. p. 8.
• [47] Al-Khandra, AS et al. "Antiplatelet Agents and Survival: A Cohert Analysis form the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) Trial," J. Am. College of Cardiology (1998) 31:419.
• [48] Am. Heart Assoc. Heart & Stroke Facts, 1996. p. 36.
• [49] Science News, 3-15-97.
• [50] Buchanan, A. and RS Tan. "Congestive Heart Failure in Elderly Patients," Postgraduate Med., 10-97.

http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/c/heart_health_recs.asp

Hawthorn Standard Extract: 160 mg. The active compounds in hawthorn have been shown to help promote healthy endothelial lining of the heart cavities and blood vessels, and the smoothness of artery walls.

http://www.alternative-healthzine.com/html/0105_2.html

Summary
Hawthorn is considered a valuable herb for the heart and cardiovascular system. It may combine well with Melissa and Lavender in nervous heart conditions. In hypertension it may combine well with Lime Blossom, Yarrow and Mistletoe. As long as it is avoided in low blood pressure it can be taken with benefit by anyone who wants to support the function of the heart.