Hawthorn refers to the berries, leaves, and flowers of Crataegus shrubs, traditionally used in European herbal medicine and sometimes taken as tea, syrup, or standardized extract. The best-studied extracts affect vascular tone and cardiac workload through mild vasodilation and modest ACE/phosphodiesterase effects. Evidence is strongest for symptom relief and better exercise tolerance in mild chronic heart failure; blood pressure, angina, lipid, and endothelial effects are smaller and less consistent. Adults with stable cardiovascular disease who want adjunctive support are the main candidates.

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How It Works

Hawthorn flavonoids and procyanidins relax vascular smooth muscle, mildly inhibit ACE and phosphodiesterase, and may improve coronary blood flow. These actions can lower peripheral resistance and reduce cardiac workload.