Hawthorn Berries

are known as food for the heart. It helps to increase the utilization of oxygen in the heart while increasing enzyme metabolism in the heart muscle.

Hawthorne Berries contain powerful antioxidants and natural bioflavonoids that support the health of the entire cardiovascular system. This herb can actually help regulate both high and low blood pressure, in addition to slowly breaking down cholesterol and fat deposits in the body.

Hawthorne, sometimes spelled Hawthorn, is also known by the names Haw, May Blossom, May Day Flower, and White Thorn. The genus name "Crataegus" comes from the Greek, "kratos", referring to the hardness of the wood. In Celtic folklore, fairies are said to 'hang out' in Hawthorne groves.

Hawthorne comes from a small, spiny tree indigenous to the Mediterranean region.

Throughout history, Hawthorne has had its reputation both as a symbol of hope, and as a symbol of evil.

At one time, Christianity regarded the plant as sacred, due to the belief that it furnished Christ's crown of thorns.

Both the Greeks and Romans associated Hawthorne with marriage & fertility.

Hawthorne Berries have been used since the 19th century to support the heart, and to normalize cardiovascular functions.

Today, Hawthorne Berries are one of the most popular herbs used in Europe, and gaining wider acceptance in the United States.

Primary chemical constituents of this herb include Vitamin C, flavonoids (quercetin, quercetrin), glycosides, proanthocyanidins, anthocynaidins, saponins, tannins, and cratetegin (most prevalent in the flowers, then leaves, then berries).

Hawthorne Berries appear to work best when taken as a preventative herb, possibly helping reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

With its high content of bioflavonoids, Hawthorne Berries best support the heart. Hawthorne increases the body's ability to utilize oxygen, and the heart's ability to utilize calcium. This herb can actually help regulate both high and low blood pressure, in addition to slowly breaking down cholesterol and fat deposits in the body.

The bioflavonoids help strengthen the contractive force of the heart, and gently dilate & relax the coronary blood vessels, improving overall circulation. For this reason, Hawthorne Berries have been used to lower high blood pressure & high cholesterol, as well as increase low blood pressure.

Women are "dangerously unaware" of the threat of heart disease. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the biggest killer of women, but most consider cancer to be the greatest threat. More must be done to alert women to the dangers of heart disease, which kills six times the number killed by breast cancer.

Hawthorn reduces the burden on the heart. It has been successfully used in other countries for the heart as a cardiac tonic to feed and give strength to the heart, it also helps with angina, valve murmurs, enlarged heart and helps regulate rapid or feeble heart beat.

Hawthorn has a long history of use, confirmed safety, and clinical evidence to support its cardiovascular benefits, especially cardiotonic activity. There is significant evidence to support its use in clinical cardiology and by the general public.

The fruits (berries) of various species, long used in traditional European herbal medicine, are edible (Hedrick, 1972). Hawthorn is one of the oldest known medicinal plants used in European medicine; its cordial actions on the heart were first reported by first century Greek herbalist Dioscorides and later by Swiss physician Paracelsus (1493–1541) (Weihmayr and Ernst, 1996). Other sources state that its clinical use for heart disease and cardiovascular disorders did not begin in Europe until the nineteenth century (Anschutz, 1900; Hobbs and Foster, 1990).

Hawthorn Berries can help with difficult breathing in certain heart conditions. It helps increase circulation and is good for either high or low blood pressure. At least one half of older adults with high blood pressure do not have their pressure controlled to levels that would limit their risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a large national study. The risk of heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US.

Hawthorn Berries are excellent for prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease. It is very effective in relieving restlessness and insomnia with those that have heart problems. Hawthorn can prevent arteriosclerosis - hardening of the arteries. Hawthorn is better taken on a regular basis since it is food for the heart. It works well with capsicum, garlic, and other heart formulas when taken at the same time.

Hawthorn berry preparations have been shown to combat angina, a condition resulting from insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle. In one study demonstrating the usefulness of a combined extract of hawthorn berry, leaf, and flower in the treatment of patients with stable angina pectoris (Hanack and Brückel, 1983), 60 angina patients were given either 180 mg of hawthorn berry-leaf-flower extract or placebo for three weeks. The ECG measures improved in the hawthorn patients, and blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart muscle rose. Hawthorn patients also exercised for longer periods of time without an angina attack.

Hawthorn extract at a dose of 900 mg daily was shown to compare favorably with the cardiac drug Captopril (37.5 mg daily) in the treatment of 132 Stage II cardiac insufficiency patients (Tauchert et al., 1994). Captopril is used to reduce resistance to blood flow in peripheral arteries. Hawthorn performed equally well, with the added benefit of working on the heart. Exercise tolerance significantly increased in both test groups, and the incidence and severity of symptoms decreased by 50%.

Another study provided evidence that hawthorn extract can improve heart function in patients with chronic heart disease (Schmidt et al., 1994). This eight-week, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study tested the effects of 600 mg/day of Faros® 300, (LI 132, an extract manufactured by Lichtwer Pharma, Berlin). Seventy-eight patients with Stage II heart disease taking hawthorn had significant gains in their stamina and endurance (as measured by a stationary bicycle), had lower blood pressure and lower heart rates while exercising, and pumped more blood at lower pressure. Also, patients taking hawthorn had fewer overall symptoms, felt less fatigue, and experienced less shortness of breath.

When used to support weight loss programs, Hawthorne Berries help reduce water retention by expelling excess salt from the body.

This botanical has also been known to reduce nervous tension, alleviate insomnia and aid digestion. Hawthorne can also be used to strengthen joint lining, collagen and spinal discs.

The common name Hawthorn includes the species Craetegus douglasii, Craetegus columbiana, Craetegus cuneata, Craetegus pinnatifida, and other Craetegus species, which are used interchangeably with Craetegus oxyacantha.

Back to Body Wrap Ingredients

Order now SECURELY Online (24-hours, 7-days a week))


 
or ...


Click HERE to Order by Toll-Free Phone, Fax, or Mail-Order

The historical information presented here is for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated
by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.