Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) produces antioxidant rich berries that have been used in herbal medicine. The most common hawthorn formulations include WS 1442 (standardized to 18.75% oligomeric procyanidins, responsible for cardiovascular effects) and LI 132 (standardized to 2.2% flavonoids, widen blood vessels) with a dosing ranging from 160 to 1,800 mg in most studies, though doctors think a dose ranging from 600 to 1,800 mg (in two or three divided doses daily) is more effective. Although hawthorn has traditionally been used to treat a variety of conditions (asthma, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, anxiety, angina, heart failure, indigestion, and dyslipidemia), the best scientific evidence for its benefits derives from its use in people with mild congestive heart failure (NYHA classes I-III), a health condition in which the heart is unable to pump adequate amounts of blood to other organs in the body. Studies concluded that hawthorn improves heart function, ability to exercise, and improved symptoms of the disease (such as shortness of breath and fatigue). One study found that hawthorn extract was as effective as low dose (37.5 mg) captropril (a leading heart medication) in improving symptoms of congestive heart failure. Another study, a large-scale international determined that hawthorn extract does not reduce the risk of cardiac death in patients with this disease. Hawthorne has been found to be well tolerated and considered safe to take with standard heart failure medications (such as ACE inhibitors, vasodilators, cardiac glycosides). However, people should be careful when taking herbal supplements that have cardiovascular effects (danshen, epimedium, ginger, Panax ginseng, turmeric, valerian). (3)
