In Celtic folklore, the hawthorn tree is a symbol of love. This mystical tree had long been associated with themes of love, sexuality, marriage, and fertility.
In fact, this tree is also closely associated with the ancient European celebration of May Day – a day that celebrates the incoming spring season in anticipation of bountiful harvests.
There is actually a good reason why it’s associated with love and fertility.
For centuries, the hawthorn’s ability to treat heart problems were well known throughout folk medicine. From congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, angina, to atherosclerosis, the hawthorn berry was a go-to remedy before modern heart surgery was a thing.
Additionally, the hawthorn berry was also found to be helpful in treating digestive, kidney, and anxiety problems. It can also be consumed in lots of ways as nearly every part of the tree can be processed.
But before we delve into its benefits and how you can consume it for yourself, let’s get to know more about this mystical tree.
What is Organic Hawthorn Berry?
Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a genus of shrubs and trees that are native to the temperate regions of Northern Europe, Asia, and America. Its common name, hawthorn, is derived from the Old English word haw which is a term for hedge, combined with thorn which refers to its dagger-sharp thorns.
The medicinal use of hawthorn stretches back to Ancient Greece, where the Greek physician Dioscorides took note of its ability to improve heart health. In the Middle Ages, hawthorn was used as a cure for the ailment called dropsy, which is now known as congestive heart failure. Chinese traditional medicine also used hawthorn for heart ailments but utilized it to improve digestion as well.
In modern medicine, hawthorn has begun gaining traction in the field of food, nutraceuticals, and phytomedicine thanks to its long list of health benefits.[1]
7 Benefits of Organic Hawthorn Berry
- It can help treat congestive heart failure
As previously mentioned, the hawthorn berry had long been used for this purpose when modern heart surgeries did not exist. It turns out there is some truth to this centuries-old cure!
In a study from 2008, the hawthorn’s efficacy in treating heart failure was reviewed throughout 14 different clinical trials which involved people that had the condition. Symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue decreased with oral hawthorn treatment as compared to placebos. Patients were also observed to have increased stamina after consuming hawthorn extract. [2]
In a similar two-year study, 952 patients with heart failure had less shortness of breath, palpitations, and fatigue ever since they began taking hawthorn supplements. [3]
Lastly, a large study which involved 2,600 people with heart failure had a 39.7% reduction in sudden cardiac death as compared to those who were given placebos. [4]
Clearly, there is a lot of evidence to the hawthorn berry’s ability to treat heart failure. For now, it is advised to remain as a supplementary treatment as further studies are yet to be conducted.
- It can help treat high blood pressure
Research has also confirmed that hawthorn can be a vasodilator, which means that it’s capable of relaxing blood vessels and therefore effectively stabilizing blood pressure levels.[5]
In a study which aimed to confirm the hawthorn’s hypotensive effects, 36 subjects with mildly high blood pressures were given hawthorn supplements in different doses. The results were promising, as blood pressure levels in almost all participants who took hawthorn were reduced by 8%. [6]
Similar findings were produced by a study in 2012, where 21 prehypertensive or mildly hypertensive subjects were given doses of hawthorn extract between 1000mg-2500mg. However, the study also points out that the decrease in blood pressure levels may also have been caused by lifestyle changes done by the participants. [7]
- It has anti-inflammatory properties
Multiple studies have also shown that hawthorn extract has anti-inflammatory capabilities, making it a potent fighter against a number of illnesses, common ones especially. Chronic inflammation is also linked with life-threatening diseases like diabetes and certain cancers. [8]
However, the majority of this anti-inflammatory proof were tests conducted with mice. Nonetheless, researchers are optimistic about hawthorn’s efficacy on humans. [9]
- It contains plenty of antioxidants
Hawthorn extract was also found to be a great source of polyphenols, which are micronutrients that contain a lot of antioxidants and numerous health benefits. [10]
Antioxidants are the compounds which fights off free radicals, the unstable molecules that damage and degenerate the cells in your body.
This makes hawthorn extract a wonderful preventive supplement against a wide variety of diseases. This includes diabetes, cancers, and various infections. The ability to combat degeneration also means that it’s capable of fighting off premature aging, especially of the skin.
- It can help improve digestion
Similar to cardiovascular problems, digestive troubles are another set of conditions that people have been using hawthorn to cure for centuries.
Thanks to modern science, it is finally understood how hawthorn extract is able to do this.
Hawthorn berries are rich in fiber, which we all know is the number one solution to many of our stomach problems. This fiber content can also act like prebiotics, which improves your gut health by letting the good bacteria thrive in your stomach.
- It may help reduce anxiety
Hawthorn’s ability to lower blood pressure is connected with its ability to reduce anxiety. In a study focused on examining hawthorn’s efficacy against hypertension, it was also concluded that it was able to mildly lower anxiety levels.[8]
In another study, hawthorn was combined with magnesium and California poppy flower. Although it was unclear how strong was the hawthorn’s influence was in these results, the concoction was able to reduce anxiety levels in all 264 subjects with anxiety disorder. [11]
- It may help prevent hair loss
Thanks to its polyphenol content, hawthorn known to prevent hair loss. In fact, hawthorn extract is a fairly common ingredient in hair growth products.
However, research is still limited in this area. So far only one study, which used mice as a test subject, was able to confirm that hawthorn extract is indeed capable of stimulating hair growth. [12]
Best Ways to Incorporate Hawthorn Berry in Your Diet
With its numerous health benefits and amazing cardio-protective properties, you might now be wondering how you can add the hawthorn berry in your diet.
Lucky for us, there exists plenty of ways to consume the goodness of hawthorn berries.
If you’re someone with heart complications, or if you’re simply interested in boosting your health, you might want to look into these easy and accessible ways to consume hawthorn berry.
It can be eaten raw
Because hawthorn berries are fruits, this makes them perfectly safe for consumption, as people have been doing so for centuries. Eating hawthorn berry is also the best way to consume it, as no nutrients will be lost from extra cooking processes.
Some describe the taste of hawthorn berry as tart, tangy, and slightly sweet. They are also soft, making them easy to eat. If hawthorn berries are readily available in your area, you can purchase them as a healthy snack that you can bring on the go.
Note: Like apples, hawthorn seeds contain cyanide. When eating hawthorn berries raw, make sure to spit out its seeds before swallowing!
As a tea
Another great way to get the most out of hawthorn berries is to drink it as a tea. It can be bought either as tea bags or as dried berries.
To make tea out of dried hawthorn berry, simply boil your desired serving for 45 minutes. Strain this with a mesh sieve as you pour into a teacup. You can also add sugar and honey to taste.
You can also turn this tea into iced tea to cool off during hot summer days by simply letting it cool down, then add ice and sweeteners to your liking. It’s so easy to make (and delicious, too), that you’ll probably start making this on the regular.
As an ingredient
If you have a sweet tooth, hawthorn berries can also be used in desserts and it is commonly used to make jams, pies, and syrups. Thanks to its slightly sour taste, adding it to sugary confections creates a great balance of flavors, much like with strawberries and blueberries.
As supplements
If hawthorn berries are not available fresh or dried where you live in, you can also order them in capsule form. This way, you’ll get the benefits of hawthorn extract in a capsule you can take at least once a day.
You should consult your doctor first if you’re planning to do so, as it may interfere with any medicines you’re currently taking. Your doctor will also know the best dose for your body and needs.
Precautions
Hawthorn berries are generally safe for consumption, as it is even eaten as a snack or dessert. However, some people reported feeling nauseous after taking a certain amount of hawthorn extract.[2]
Since hawthorn has a strong effect on the cardiovascular system, it may intensify the effects of medications made for hypertension and other heart problems. If you’re currently taking such medications, consult your doctor first to confirm if hawthorn supplements are safe for your consumption.
Conclusion
The hawthorn berry has gained a centuries-old reputation for being an effective cure for heart problems, leading to its association as a symbol of love and marriage.
So far, scientific tests have had promising results that confirm these age-old health claims, but researchers are yet to do more clinical studies to provide more evidence.
If you live in temperate regions, you’re most likely be able to enjoy hawthorn berries as snacks and desserts, making them a healthy treat that can satisfy both your heart and taste buds!
References
[1] Qiao, A., Wang, Y., Xiang, L., Zhang, Z., & He, X. (2015). Novel triterpenoids isolated from hawthorn berries functioned as antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Journal of Functional foods, 13, 308-313.
[2] Guo, R., Pittler, M. H., & Ernst, E. (2008). Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1).
[3] Habs M. (2004). Prospective, comparative cohort studies and their contribution to the benefit assessments of therapeutic options: heart failure treatment with and without Hawthorn special extract WS 1442. Forschende Komplementarmedizin und klassische Naturheilkunde = Research in complementary and natural classical medicine, 11 Suppl 1, 36–39. https://doi.org/10.1159/000080574
[4] Holubarsch, C. J., Colucci, W. S., Meinertz, T., Gaus, W., Tendera, M., & Survival and Prognosis: Investigation of Crataegus Extract WS 1442 in CHF (SPICE) trial study group (2008). The efficacy and safety of Crataegus extract WS 1442 in patients with heart failure: the SPICE trial. European journal of heart failure, 10(12), 1255–1263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejheart.2008.10.004
[5] Chen, Z. Y., Zhang, Z. S., Kwan, K. Y., Zhu, M., Ho, W. K., & Huang, Y. (1998). Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by hawthorn extract in rat mesenteric artery. Life sciences, 63(22), 1983–1991. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0024-3205(98)00476-7
[6] Walker, A. F., Marakis, G., Morris, A. P., & Robinson, P. A. (2002). Promising hypotensive effect of hawthorn extract: A randomized double‐blind pilot study of mild, essential hypertension. Phytotherapy Research, 16(1), 48-54.
[7] Asher, G. N., Viera, A. J., Weaver, M. A., Dominik, R., Caughey, M., & Hinderliter, A. L. (2012). Effect of hawthorn standardized extract on flow mediated dilation in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults: a randomized, controlled cross-over trial. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 12(1), 26.
[8] Hunter P. (2012). The inflammation theory of disease. The growing realization that chronic inflammation is crucial in many diseases opens new avenues for treatment. EMBO reports, 13(11), 968–970. https://doi.org/10.1038/embor.2012.142
[9] Han, X., Li, W., Huang, D., & Yang, X. (2016). Polyphenols from hawthorn peels and fleshes differently mitigate dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress in association with modulation of liver injury in high fructose diet-fed mice. Chemico-biological interactions, 257, 132–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2016.08.002
[10] Kirakosyan, A., Seymour, E., Kaufman, P. B., Warber, S., Bolling, S., & Chang, S. C. (2003). Antioxidant capacity of polyphenolic extracts from leaves of Crataegus laevigata and Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) subjected to drought and cold stress. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 51(14), 3973-3976.
[11] Hanus, M., Lafon, J., & Mathieu, M. (2004). Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing two plant extracts (Crataegus oxyacantha and Eschscholtzia californica) and magnesium in mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders. Current medical research and opinion, 20(1), 63–71. https://doi.org/10.1185/030079903125002603
[12] Shin, H. S., Lee, J. M., Park, S. Y., Yang, J. E., Kim, J. H., & Yi, T. H. (2013). Hair growth activity of Crataegus pinnatifida on C57BL/6 mouse model. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 27(9), 1352–1357. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4870
