Researchers found extract of fresh berries of Crataegus oxyacantha effective for the treatment of mild to moderate (NYHA II) congestive heart failure, when the heart can’t pump enough blood to the rest of the body. For 8 weeks study participants were administered 30 drops of the extract three times daily (n = 69) or placebo (n = 74). Findings showed a significant increase in exercise tolerance, with a greater improvement reported in the extract group (8.3 watts greater improvement compared to placebo). (6)
Hawthorne adverse reactions and interactions:
A meta-analysis by Pittler, M et al reported minor side-effects of nausea, dizziness, heart and gastrointestinal complaints (1). In most research reviewed, hawthorne was used and tolerated with standard heart failure medications including nitrates, beta-blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (1). There were more adverse effects in the hawthorne group compared with placebo, but no serious side-effects were reported (2).