From time to time I read articles in magazines or online that require that I do a little research into the medicinal claims for certain plants. Recently I read about the health benefits of Hawthorn. Hawthorn, a small thorny shrub or tree from the genus Crataegus, has long been used in traditional European and Chinese medicine as a heart-supportive herb. With its clusters of red berries, white or pink blossoms, and deeply lobed leaves, this plant may look unassuming – but its medicinal properties are anything but. 

Today, hawthorn is recognized for its ability to support cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol, and promote healthy blood circulation, all while providing a rich source of natural antioxidants. 

Big pharma has recognized the health benefits of hawthorn as multiple medications can be attributed to hawthorn research, including Cratagol®, Korodin® and Faros®. Hawthorn’s benefits seem to be wide ranging including supporting heart function. Hawthorn is best known for its ability to improve overall heart performance, especially in those with mild heart failure. It helps the heart pump more efficiently, improving oxygen flow to tissue. It also regulates blood pressure. Studies have shown that hawthorn may help reduce high blood pressure, particularly systolic pressure. Its vasodilating effect helps the blood vessels relax and expand, lowering resistance and enhancing flow. 

Reading multiple message boards by people who have been taking hawthorn in multiple forms, many people said they simply took two berries a day. I have berries on a tree in my front yard so I tried some. They really aren’t a berry in the sense they seen to be mostly seeds, there is little flesh and really no taste, but most of the antioxidants are found in the skin anyway. 

Hawthorn is packed with antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, protecting tissues, including the heart from oxidative stress and age-related damage. Hawthorn is said to improve blood circulation. By increasing blood flow and improving the strength of heart contractions, hawthorn ensures that oxygen and nutrients are delivered more efficiently throughout the body. 

Other benefits like reducing cholesterol levels were shown as well in studies. While not its primary function, hawthorn may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. This makes it useful as part of a broader cholesterol-lowering strategy. The plant is rich in flavonoids and oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which strengthen blood vessel walls, increase elasticity, and reduce the risk of arterial damage or plaque buildup. The anti-inflammatory effects of hawthorn can ease the burden on the cardiovascular system and may support long term heart health.

To that extent it eases chest discomfort and palpitations. Hawthorn has been used traditionally to soothe mild angina (chest pain) and irregular heartbeat, though it should never replace prescribed treatment in serious cases. 

Hawthorn may also reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Some people find that hawthorn helps calm the nervous system, making it useful in situations of mild stress or insomnia, especially when linked to a racing heart. And beyond the physical, hawthorn has been known in folk medicine as a tonic for emotional grief and heartbreak, used for centuries as a symbol of heart centered healing. Now I’m not advocating you rush out and pick hawthorn to cure whatever ails you, but knowing the benefits that nature can provide is also important. Most modern medications have there foundations in horticulture.